Authors:
Pedro Guerreiro
1
and
Katerina Georgouli
2
Affiliations:
1
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
;
2
Technological Educational Institute, Greece
Keyword(s):
Blended-learning, competition-based learning, web-enhancement, automatic judging systems.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Computer-Supported Education
;
e-Learning
;
Game-Based and Simulation-Based Learning
;
Instructional Design
;
Learning/Teaching Methodologies and Assessment
;
Web-Based Education
;
Web-Based Teaching and Learning Technologies
Abstract:
Socialization is an important aspect of university life. We believe that if students feel that they fit in the group, their commitment will be higher and their results will be better. In introductory programming courses, most tasks are elementary and are usually performed on an individual basis. If we manage to give greater visibility to those lonely activities, students will find out that the difficulties they face are shared by many, and realize that they are not alone. We do that by adding a competitive flavour to the tasks in the course. For example, programming assignments are modelled after programming competitions; quizzes are given after each lecture, students get points for it, and a ranking is kept, much like those in some sports; we organize tournaments, where students’ programs play against one another in a computer game. This provides a supplement of excitement to tasks that otherwise might be uninteresting to newcomers, and fosters group spirit. As a consequence, studen
t participation is higher and results were better than before.
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