Program animation based on the roles of variables

ABSTRACT

Computer programming is a difficult skill for many students and visualizations may be used to foster learning. This paper presents a program animation system, PlanAni, that is based on the concept of the roles of variables. Roles represent schematic uses of variables that occur in programs over and over again, and a set of nine roles covers practically all variables in novice-level programs. PlanAni has been tested in a teaching experiment comparing traditional teaching with role-based teaching and animation. The results of a semi-structured interview with the teacher indicate that students like to work with the animator and that the system clarifies many concepts in programming.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.0 GENERAL

Keywords:
program animation, roles of variables, teaching experiment