An Intelligent Tutoring System to Facilitate the Learning of Programming through the Usage of Dynamic Graphic Visualizations

• Main Authors: Santiago Schez-Sobrino, Cristian Gmez-Portes, David Vallejo, Carlos Glez-Morcillo, Miguel Á. Redondo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: intelligent tutoring system (its); program visualization; algorithm visualization; programming learning; augmented reality; metaphors
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/4/1518

The learning of programming is a field of research with relevant studies and publications for more than 25 years. Since its inception, it has been shown that its difficulty lies in the high level of abstraction required to understand certain programming concepts. However, this level can be reduced by using tools and graphic representations that motivate students and facilitate their understanding, associating real-world elements with specific programming concepts. Thus, this paper proposes the use of an intelligent tutoring system (ITS) that helps during the learning of programming by using a notation based on a metaphor of roads and traffic signs represented by 3D graphics in an augmented reality (AR) environment. These graphic visualizations can be generated automatically from the source code of the programs thanks to the modular and scalable design of the system. Students can use them by leveraging the available feedback system, and teachers can also use them in order to explain programming concepts during the classes. This work highlights the flexibility and extensibility of the proposal through its application in different use cases that we have selected as examples to show how the system could be exploited in a multitude of real learning scenarios.