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Learning Tools for JavaLearning Tools for Java

A Survey and Tutorial of Four Tools

Adam Murray

University of Ottawa

IntroductionIntroduction

l Programming– Dr Java

– BlueJ

lWeb-based– Blackboard

– WebCT

l No Evaluation Toolkit, sorry

An aside: Java as anAn aside: Java as anintroductory languageintroductory language

l Gartner Group, 1997– Taught in 78% of schools (C++ primary 95%)

– Mandatory in 50% (C++ 82%)

l 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++ withJava

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Dr Java Dr Java (built using 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, automaticindenting, pretty printing• Compiler integration

Diagnosis: Needs work, better support, more tuning

BlueJBlueJ

l Premise: Environments for OO are not OOenvironments; they do not reflect the paradigm

l BlueJ is object-oriented

l Designed for teaching

l 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 BlueJ supportssupports

l graphical class structure displayl graphical and textual editingl built-in editor, compiler, virtual machine,

debugger, etc.l easy-to-use interfacel ideal for beginners (but unsuitable for pros)l interactive object creationl interactive object callsl interactive application development and testing

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BlackboardBlackboard

l Public company building e-Educationproducts

l Blackboard Learning System

l Blackboard Community Portal System

l Blackboard Transaction System

Blackboard Learning SystemBlackboard Learning Systeml Measuring and improving student performancel Increasing instructor productivityl Enabling “Web-enhanced” classroom-based

teaching and learningl Delivering distance learningl Leveraging technology to enhance institutional

competitiveness, applicant selectivity andretention

l Integrates course and learning managementcapabilities with an organization’s studentinformation, security, and authentication protocols

l Managing digital assets and content

System UtilitiesSystem Utilities

l Content Management and Content Sharing

l Assessment Management

l Gradebook

l Collaboration and Communication

l Assignment and Portfolio Management

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Product ArchitectureProduct Architecture

Assessment ManagerAssessment Manager

Easier test generation and modification, more options and fewer clicks

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Virtual ClassroomVirtual Classroom

Grade BookGrade Book

A spreadsheet, nothing more, nothing less

WebCTWebCT

l E-Learning systems for higher education

l Similar to Blackboard, more widelyreceived

l Course Management

l Academic Enterprise Systems

l Services / Seminars

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Course Management SystemCourse Management System

l WebCourse Builder and Syllabus Tool

l Communication and Collaboration Tools

l Assessment Tools

l Selective Content Release

l Assignment Submission / Grade Entry

l Learning Gateway (Portal to many courses)

l Individualized Look (institution and coursebranding)

Course BuilderCourse Builder

Designer Map (Content Manager)Designer Map (Content Manager)

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Course HomepageCourse Homepage

ChatChat

AssignmentsAssignments

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QuizzesQuizzes

ConclusionsConclusions

ReferencesReferences

Allen, E., Cartwright, R., and Stoler, B. Dr Java: Alightweight pedagogic environment for Java,Proceedings of the 33rd SIGCSE technicalsymposium on Computer science education,Cincinnati, Kentucky, 2002. Kölling, M. and Rosenberg, J., BlueJ - The Hitch-Hikers Guide to Object Orientation, The MaerskMc-Kinney Moller Institute for ProductionTechnology, University of Southern Denmark,Technical Report 2002, No 2, ISSN No. 1601-4219.(PDF)