Transcript Learning Tools for Java

Learning Tools for Java
A Survey and Tutorial of Four Tools
Adam Murray
University of Ottawa
Introduction
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Programming
– Dr Java
– BlueJ
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Web-based
– Blackboard
– WebCT
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No Evaluation Toolkit, sorry
An aside: Java as an
introductory language
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Gartner Group, 1997
– Taught in 78% of schools (C++ primary 95%)
– Mandatory in 50% (C++ 82%)
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Gartner Group, 2000
– Taught in 87% of schools (C++ no longer primary,
87%)
– Mandatory in 56% (C++ 65%)
– 13% replaced Pascal with Java, 21% replaced C++ with
Java
Dr Java (built using Dr Java)
Two Panes (third for file mgt):
• Interactions Pane
• Immediately see results of expressions & statement
• Makes use of REPL
• Alternate entry points (testing simpler, no main(),
no debugger to learn)
• Interactively create GUI
• Definitions Pane (code)
• Brace matching, syntax highlighting, automatic
indenting, pretty printing
• Compiler integration
Diagnosis: Needs work, better support, more tuning
BlueJ
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Premise: Environments for OO are not OO
environments; they do not reflect the paradigm
 BlueJ is object-oriented
 Designed for teaching
 Downsides:
– Student must learn both java and protocols for BlueJ
– Does not scale to large systems (at all)
– Students must eventually move to Java text after all
BlueJ supports
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graphical class structure display
graphical and textual editing
built-in editor, compiler, virtual machine,
debugger, etc.
easy-to-use interface
ideal for beginners (but unsuitable for pros)
interactive object creation
interactive object calls
interactive application development and testing
Blackboard
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Public company building e-Education
products
 Blackboard Learning System
 Blackboard Community Portal System
 Blackboard Transaction System
Blackboard Learning System
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Measuring and improving student performance
Increasing instructor productivity
Enabling “Web-enhanced” classroom-based
teaching and learning
Delivering distance learning
Leveraging technology to enhance institutional
competitiveness, applicant selectivity and
retention
Integrates course and learning management
capabilities with an organization’s student
information, security, and authentication protocols
Managing digital assets and content
System Utilities
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Content Management and Content Sharing
 Assessment Management
 Gradebook
 Collaboration and Communication
 Assignment and Portfolio Management
Product Architecture
Assessment Manager
Easier test generation and modification, more options and fewer clicks
Virtual Classroom
Grade Book
A spreadsheet, nothing more, nothing less
WebCT
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E-Learning systems for higher education
 Similar to Blackboard, more widely
received
 Course Management
 Academic Enterprise Systems
 Services / Seminars
Course Management System
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WebCourse Builder and Syllabus Tool
Communication and Collaboration Tools
Assessment Tools
Selective Content Release
Assignment Submission / Grade Entry
Learning Gateway (Portal to many courses)
Individualized Look (institution and course
branding)
Course Builder
Designer Map (Content Manager)
Course Homepage
Chat
Assignments
Quizzes
Conclusions
References
Allen, E., Cartwright, R., and Stoler, B. Dr Java: A
lightweight pedagogic environment for Java,
Proceedings of the 33rd SIGCSE technical
symposium on Computer science education,
Cincinnati, Kentucky, 2002.
Kölling, M. and Rosenberg, J., BlueJ - The HitchHikers Guide to Object Orientation, The Maersk
Mc-Kinney Moller Institute for Production
Technology, University of Southern Denmark,
Technical Report 2002, No 2, ISSN No. 1601-4219.
(PDF)