Assessing the impact of an automated assessment tool on the learning motivation of computer programming students

Original title (Spanish): Evaluación del impacto en la motivación en el aprendizaje de los estudiantes de programación de computadores mediante el uso de una herramienta de evaluación automática

Description

In engineering, and particularly in computer science, programming is a core competency. These courses develop the ability to solve problems, write programs, define functions, debug and choose suitable control structures, skills that are also in demand in the workplace.

Goal

To determine the impact of an automated source-code assessment tool on the learning motivation of Computer Programming students at U Compensar university.

Method

• Quasi-experimental study integrating automated assessment into an Algorithms course
• Selection of VPL (Virtual Programming Lab) after a literature review
• Control and experimental groups
• Measurement with MSLQ-Colombia
• 42 participating students

Analysis approach

The MSLQ data reveal changes in motivation, while the tool's logs provide evidence about attempts, progress and coding while solving exercises.

Keywords

Automated assessment · Computer programming · Learning motivation

Authors

Hernan Dario Lozano Rojas
Master's student in Systems and Computing Engineering
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Email: hlozanor@unal.edu.co