Title: Automatic comprehension of algorithms for algorithmic assessment

Authors: Bouacha Ismail; Bensebaa Tahar

Addresses: Preparatory School of Sciences and Techniques Annaba, P.O. Box 218, 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: The evaluation is an unpleasing load of the teacher. Usually, in programming but especially in algorithmic, many parameters must be taken into consideration (diversity of the solutions, quality standards). These parameters could make the evaluation more difficult. The promises of an automatic evaluation are really necessary to eliminate the hard task of evaluation. These promises can reduce the direct evaluation and at the same time, they can produce a common feedback of the students. Unfortunately, the automatic approaches of evaluation of the programs are not widespread. We propose an automatic evaluation approach that comprehends algorithms. This approach uses techniques of program comprehension applied in software engineering to maintain and reuse existing applications. We present the results of our first tests.

Keywords: TEL; program comprehension; software engineering; automatic comprehension; algorithms; algorithmic assessment; automatic evaluation; student feedback; technology-enhanced learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2015.072456

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2015 Vol.18 No.4, pp.413 - 431

Received: 17 Jan 2014
Accepted: 20 Apr 2014
Published online: 14 Oct 2015 *

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