Enhancing Java Learning Through Visual Logic Integration at UTC
This presentation discusses the integration of Visual Logic into the introductory Java programming curriculum at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The approach addresses challenges faced by students in transitioning from problem statements to Java code. By employing Visual Logic as a foundational tool, students can better visualize algorithms and concepts such as decision-making and loops before applying them in Java. The discussion includes curriculum design considerations, lessons learned from this teaching method, and results highlighting improved student comprehension and engagement in programming.
Enhancing Java Learning Through Visual Logic Integration at UTC
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Presentation Transcript
Incorporating Visual Logic Into a Java Course Katherine H. Winters University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC)
Outline • Description of UTC • Why • What • How • Lessons learned • Results
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga • Part of the University of Tennessee system • Have between 9,000 and 10,000 students • Students have a wide background • Students come with a broad skill set • Undergraduate and Masters program • Department of Computer Science and Engineering • Located in the school of Engineering and Computer Science
How are Your Student Doing • Do your students come to you ready to take a problem statement and turn it into a Java program? • Do you struggle with teaching the syntax of the Java language while teaching problem solving? • Do your students come equipped to develop Java programs with no problems? • Is your pass rate for CS1 high?
I want to be a computer science major because I love to play video games
How About This? • What is a problem statement? • I don’t know where to start. • Where do I turn on the computer? • I hate math word problems.
Curriculum Considerations • No beginning algorithm class • Java is first programming course • Requirement for all other Computer Science (CS) courses • Few if any CS taught in Tennessee • No room for algorithm class • TN caps our hours @ 120 • TN has no teaching certification in CS
Marriage • Use Visual Logic and Java text for first programming course • What is Visual Logic • Flowchart tools • Background is Visual Basic • Design flowchart • Run Program • Text • A Guide to Working with Visual Logic • Thad Crews and Chip Murphy
How Does It Work? • I begin with Visual Logic • Which do you think the students can grasp better public class Hello { public static void main(String args) { System.out.println("Hello"); } } or
How Does It Work? • In Visual Logic • Work through input, processes, and output • Move to decision making • Move to loops • Go to Java • Work through same material extend concepts • Many times I use the same exercises and labs and extend the concepts with additional Java labs • As we go introduce the new concepts such as OO • Get to arrays • Introduce the concept with VL and then in Java • Extend the concept with Array Lists
Lessons Leaned • Don’t try to initially mix Visual Logic and Java • Start with Visual Logic and Introduce Concepts • Move to Java – extend the concepts • Can then mix the two
Kathy Winters University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (423) 425-4378 Kathy-Winters@utc.edu
