Learning%20Tools%20for%20Java

1
Learning Tools for Java

• A Survey and Tutorial of Four Tools
• Adam Murray
• University of Ottawa

2
Introduction

• Programming
• Dr Java
• BlueJ
• Web-based
• Blackboard
• WebCT
• No Evaluation Toolkit, sorry

3
An aside Java as an introductory language

• Gartner Group, 1997
• Taught in 78 of schools (C primary 95)
• Mandatory in 50 (C 82)
• 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

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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
5
BlueJ

• 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

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BlueJ supports

• 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

7
Blackboard

• Public company building e-Education products
• Blackboard Learning System
• Blackboard Community Portal System
• Blackboard Transaction System

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Blackboard Learning System

• 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 organizations student
  information, security, and authentication
  protocols
• Managing digital assets and content

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System Utilities

• Content Management and Content Sharing
• Assessment Management
• Gradebook
• Collaboration and Communication
• Assignment and Portfolio Management

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Product Architecture
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(No Transcript)
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Assessment Manager
Easier test generation and modification, more
options and fewer clicks
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Virtual Classroom
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Grade Book
A spreadsheet, nothing more, nothing less
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WebCT

• E-Learning systems for higher education
• Similar to Blackboard, more widely received
• Course Management
• Academic Enterprise Systems
• Services / Seminars

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Course Management System

• 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)

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Course Builder
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Designer Map (Content Manager)
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Course Homepage
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Chat
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Assignments
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Quizzes
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Conclusions
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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 Hitch-Hikers 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)