A Quantitative Analysis of a Virtual Programming Lab

Abstract

We implemented a survey with one learning group using the web-based tools and a control group working with a traditional setup based on editor and compiler. In a recent publication, we described the design and implementation of a web-based programming lab (ViPLab) targeted at undergraduate Engineering and Mathematics courses. This work provides a quantitative analysis of the user feedback, experience and learning success. The survey shows that web-based installations are as efficient as classical tools, while Windows users prefer the web-based chain over the editor/compiler installation on Linux. This justifies the use of web-based installations in programming beginner courses, if the learning target focuses on programming and not a particular tool chain.

Student and Lecturer Perceptions of Usability of the Virtual Programming Lab Module for Moodle

“…None of them were related to usability. Besides, Vanvinkenroye et al (2013) evaluated a Web-based programming lab tool called ViPLab (Richter et al, 2012). The authors implemented and analyzed a survey to get users' feedback, experience, and relate to learning success.…”

ViPLab — An online programming lab

“…Details on the design and evaluation of the ViPLab project were described in an earlier paper [2] II. ARCHITECTURE…”