Program Visualization Using Virtual Worlds

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Program Visualization Using Virtual Worlds

• CCLI
• NSF-0339734

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Research team

• Stephen Cooper, Saint Josephs
• University
• Wanda Dann, Ithaca College
• Barbara Moskal, Colorado School of
• Mines
• Randy Pausch, Carnegie Mellon
• University

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The Project

• Using program visualization in a powerful,
  high-level animation programming environment as a
  methodology for introducing object-oriented
  programming to beginning programmers.

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Project goals

• Decrease attrition and improve performance among
  at-risk computing majors
• Improve attitudes towards computing
• Attract students to minor/major in computing and
  technology related majors.

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Outcomes from pilot study

• Drastic improvement in retention of at-risk
  computing majors
• Retention to CS2 47 to 88
• Improved performance in CS1
• GPA in CS1 1.94 to 3.03

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Alice
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Alice features

• Uses 3D graphics to engage students
• Has a smart drag-and-drop editor that prevents
  syntax errors
• Appeals to wide audience
• Storytelling
• (young women, minority students)
• Interactive computer games
• (young men)

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Alice features

• Is a program visualization tool
• The program state is visible to the student
• State changes are animated
• Has a java syntax mode to ease the transition to
  C/Java
• Makes visible and tangible the notion of an
  object

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Alice use

• Current use by more than 60 colleges (2-year and
  4-year)
• Over 90 faculty representing nearly 60 colleges
  attended one of our summer 2005 workshops
• Current use by approximately 50 high schools

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How Alice is being used

• In pre-CS1
• course for majors and students considering a CS
  major
• As conceptual introduction in CS1
• Introduction to programming course
• non-majors
• attract students to become CS majors
• Computer literacy
• problem-solving component
• Pre-AP in high schools

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Animation tool and materials

• Alice, freely available at
• http//www.alice.org
• Textbook available from Prentice Hall
• http//vig.prenhall.com8081/catalog
  /academic/product/0,1144,0131424203,00.html
• Curricular materials available at
• http//www.aliceprogramming.net