Title: Assessment makes perfect: improving student's algorithmic problem solving skills using plan-based programme understanding approach

Authors: Anis Bey; Tahar Bensebaa

Addresses: Computer Science Department, Laboratory of Research in Computer Science (LRI), Badji Mokhtar-Annaba University, P.O. Box 12, 23000 Annaba, Algeria ' Computer Science Department, Laboratory of Research in Computer Science (LRI), Badji Mokhtar-Annaba University, P.O. Box 12, 23000 Annaba, Algeria

Abstract: For the majority of undergraduate students of computer science, inadequate designing and planning algorithm skills are among the most salient hurdles. Learning how to design an algorithm which resolves a given problem is not easy. We propose a formative-diagnostic assessment approach which helps students on acquiring problem-solving skills that enable them to cope with problems and to design more efficient and elegant solutions. This method is based on using known components called: basic operations, which are defined and regrouped in a library. A plan-based programme understanding is used for modelling and a similarity measure is chosen for matching between plans to assess.

Keywords: planning algorithms; design algorithms; problem solving skills; plan-based programme understanding; programming; intelligent tutoring systems; ITS; computer-assisted assessment; computer science education; environment learning; problem-based learning; PBL; design problems; cognitive learning; mental models; innovation; learning; undergraduate students; higher education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2013.055522

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2013 Vol.14 No.2, pp.162 - 176

Published online: 30 Sep 2013 *

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