A friendly online C compiler to improve programming skills based on student self-assessment

This paper presents an online C compiler designed so that students can program their practical assignments in Programming courses. What is really innovative is the self-assessment of the exercises based on black-box tests and train students’ skill to test software. Moreover, this tool lets instructors, not only proposing and classifying practical exercises, but also evaluating automatically the efforts dedicated and the results obtained by the students. The system has been applied to the 1st-year students at the Industrial Engineering specialization at the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid. Results show that the students obtained better academic performance, reducing the failure rate in the practical exam considerably with respect to previous years, in addition that an anonymous survey proved that students are satisfied with the system because they get instant feedback about their programs.

Cuestionarios online como herramienta de aprendizaje: comparación de resultados con diversos modelos de cuestionarios.

En este trabajo se comparan dos estrategias de evaluación a través de cuestionarios online: i) realizar un cuestionario de evaluación sumativa al final de cada bloque temático del curso o ii) permitir que, para cada bloque temático, el alumno pueda repetir varias veces un test (con realimentación de las respuestas correctas) y realizar un test similar después de esta fase de aprendizaje. Los resultados muestran varios beneficios de la segunda estrategia: una mayor participación de los alumnos hasta el final del semestre, una menor tasa de abandono de la asignatura y una mejor nota en los test. Sin embargo, para que el aprendizaje sea efectivo en el caso de repetir varias veces un test, se necesita un banco de preguntas suficientemente amplio para que exista una probabilidad baja de que las preguntas no se repitan. Este problema se ha resuelto utilizando la posibilidad que presentan algunas plataformas de gestión del aprendizaje de generar automáticamente variantes numéricas de una misma pregunta. Por último se observa un grado de acuerdo muy elevado por parte de los alumnos con el peso que los resultados de los tests tienen en la nota final del curso, en el caso bajo estudio. Abstract: This work compares two different assessment strategies through online tests: i) summative assessment tests at the end of each part of the course or ii) the students can do selfassessment tests (with feedback) prior to a summative assessment test at the end of each part of the course. Results show that the second strategy yields several benefits: an increment in student participation till the end of the semester, a reduction in the drop-out rate and an increase in the mean test marks. However, a large item bank is necessary to effectively implement this second strategy. This problem has been addressed by using the automatic item generation facility offered by several learning management systems. Finally, a high proportion of the students agree with the weight proposed for these tests in the final course mark.

A characterisation of passive and active interactions and their influence on student's achievement using Moodle LMS Logs

During the last years, there has been much concern about learning management systems' (LMS) effectiveness when compared to traditional learning and about how to assess students' participation during the course. The tracking and monitoring capabilities of most recent LMS have made it possible to analyse every interaction in the system. The issues addressed on this study are: a) Is LMS student's interaction an indicator of academic performance?; b) Are different results in performance expected between distance and in-class LMS-supported education?; c) How can LMS interactions from logs be categorised?; d) May this categorisation detect 'learning witnesses'? To answer these questions, a set of interaction types from Moodle LMS activity record logs has been analysed during two years in online and in-class Master's degrees at the UPM. The results show partial or no evidence of influence between interaction indicators and academic performance, although the proposed categorisation may help detect learning witnesses.

Knowledgeable Feedback via a Cast of Virtual Characters with Different Competences

DynaLearn (http://www.DynaLearn.eu) develops a cognitive artefact that engages learners in an active learning by modelling process to develop conceptual system knowledge. Learners create external representations using diagrams. The diagrams capture conceptual knowledge using the Garp3 Qualitative Reasoning (QR) formalism [2]. The expressions can be simulated, confronting learners with the logical consequences thereof. To further aid learners, DynaLearn employs a sequence of knowledge representations (Learning Spaces, LS), with increasing complexity in terms of the modelling ingredients a learner can use [1]. An online repository contains QR models created by experts/teachers and learners. The server runs semantic services [4] to generate feedback at the request of learners via the workbench. The feedback is communicated to the learner via a set of virtual characters, each having its own competence [3]. A specific feedback thus incorporates three aspects: content, character appearance, and a didactic setting (e.g. Quiz mode). In the interactive event we will demonstrate the latest achievements of the DynaLearn project. First, the 6 learning spaces for learners to work with. Second, the generation of feedback relevant to the individual needs of a learner using Semantic Web technology. Third, the verbalization of the feedback via different animated virtual characters, notably: Basic help, Critic, Recommender, Quizmaster & Teachable agen

Virtual Learning Environments In Faculties Of Education In Spain: Changes On Student Attitude

This paper presents some results of a R+D project entitled “e-Learning system for Practical Training of University students in Education Faculties (ForELearn)”, developed in Spain by the Universidad de Granada and the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education. In a first phase, through the use of AulaWeb Learning Management System, a set of adaptations and improvements of this software application have been done for the design and development of an experimental course of Practicum supervision. Next, the implementation of this course by means of a group of face to face and online seminars provides experimental data for the analysis and discussion about the point of view of users (preservice teachers) that have tracked their practice supervision with AulaWeb.

Using online presence to improve online collaborative learning

Social software tools have become an integral part of students? personal lives and their primary communication medium. Likewise, these tools are increasingly entering the enterprise world (within the recent trend known as Enterprise 2.0) and becoming a part of everyday work routines. Aiming to keep the pace with the job requirements and also to position learning as an integral part of students? life, the field of education is challenged to embrace social software. Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) emerged as a concept that makes use of social software to facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, group formation around common interests, active participation and reflective thinking in online learning settings. Furthermore, social software allows for establishing and maintaining one?s presence in the online world. By being aware of a student's online presence, a PLE is better able to personalize the learning settings, e.g., through recommendation of content to use or people to collaborate with. Aiming to explore the potentials of online presence for the provision of recommendations in PLEs, in the scope of the OP4L project, we have develop a software solution that is based on a synergy of Semantic Web technologies, online presence and socially-oriented learning theories. In this paper we present the current results of this research work.

A Web-based Support System for Providing Effective Monitoring, Feedback and Evaluation in Project Management Education

This work introduces a web-based learning environment to facilitate learning in Project Management. The proposed web-based support system integrates methodological procedures and information systems, allowing to promote learning among geographically-dispersed students. Thus, students who are enrolled in different universities at different locations and attend their own project management courses, share a virtual experience in executing and managing projects. Specific support systems were used or developed to automatically collect information about student activities, making it possible to monitor the progress made on learning and assess learning performance as established in the defined rubric.

CRYPT4YOU y la utilidad de los MOOCs en la formación online en lengua española.

En los últimos dos años la formación online ha experimentado un auge significativo gracias al paradigma de formación denominado MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). Un MOOC simplifica la formación a distancia gracias a sus características de abierto, colaborativo, masivo y gratuito. Por desgracia en lengua española la utilización de este tipo de recurso formativo todavía es minoritaria. La presente investigación recoge una experiencia de innovación educativa en la que se destaca el diseño, implementación y difusión del primer MOOC en lengua española dedicado a la seguridad de la información por parte de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Esta experiencia aborda las ventajas e inconvenientes de este tipo de recurso formativo, debatiendo aspectos vitales para la elaboración prolongada de cursos tipo MOOC, como son la interactividad y retroalimentación con los usuarios del curso o la forma más adecuada de representar el contenido docente. Todas estas cuestiones reciben respuesta en el MOOC Crypt4you, que con más de 10 meses de vida permite vislumbrar un gran éxito de este tipo de cursos en la formación, al menos en lengua española, de hispanohablantes. ABSTRACT In the last two years, online training has boomed thanks to significant training paradigm called MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). A MOOC simplifies remote training thanks to its open, collaborativend free mass features. Unfortunately, the use of this kind of learning resource in Spanish teaching is still a minority. This research includes an educational experience which emphasizes the design, implementation and dissemination of the first Spanish-language MOOC devoted to information security by the Technical University of Madrid. This experiment addresses the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of learning resource discussing critical issues for developing type MOOC prolonged courses, such as interactivity and feedback from users of the course or the most appropriate way of representing the educational content. All these questions are answered in the MOOC Crypt4you which, over its 10 months of life, can glimpse a great success of this type of training course, at least in Spanish, Spanish-speakers.

An Online Course on the History of Algorithms.

This paper describes the objectives, content, learning methodology and results of an online course on the History of Algorithms for engineering students at Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM). This course is conducted in a virtual environment based on Moodle, with a student-centred educational model which includes a detailed planning of learning activities. Our experience indicates that this subject is highly motivating for students and the virtual environment facilitates competencies development

Técnicas de Gamification para entregas de trabajos online: comprobaciones de la fase de análisis de la compilación

Este Trabajo de Fin de Grado (TFG) tiene el objetivo de aportar un sistema de enseñanza innovador, un sistema de enseñanza mediante el cual se consiga involucrar a los alumnos en tareas y prácticas en las que se adquieran conocimientos a la vez que se siente un ambiente de juego, es decir, que se consiga aprender de forma divertida. Está destinado al sistema educativo de la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Informáticos de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, en concreto a las asignaturas relacionadas con los Procesadores de Lenguajes. La aplicación desarrollada en este trabajo está destinada tanto a los profesores de las asignaturas de Procesadores de Lenguajes como a los alumnos que tengan alguna relación con esas asignaturas, consiguiendo mayor interacción y diversión a la hora de realizar la tareas y prácticas de las asignaturas. Para los dos tipos de usuarios descritos anteriormente, la aplicación está configurada para que puedan identificarse mediante sus credenciales, comprobándose si los datos introducidos son correctos, y así poder acceder al sistema. Dependiendo de qué tipo de usuario se identifique, tendrá unas opciones u otras dentro del sistema. Los profesores podrán dar de alta, ver, modificar o dar de baja las configuraciones para los analizadores de los lenguajes correspondientes a las diferentes asignaturas que están configurados previamente en el sistema. Además, los profesores pueden dar de alta, ver, modificar o dar de baja los fragmentos de código que formarán los ficheros correspondientes a las plantillas de pruebas del analizador léxico que se les ofrece a los alumnos para realizar comprobaciones de las prácticas. Mediante la aplicación podrán establecer diferentes características y propiedades de los fragmentos que incorporen al sistema. Por otra parte, los alumnos podrán realizar la configuración del lenguaje, definido por los profesores, para la parte del analizador léxico de las prácticas. Esta configuración será guardada para el grupo al que corresponde el alumno, pudiendo realizar modificaciones cualquier miembro del grupo. De esta manera, se podrán posteriormente establecer las relaciones necesarias entre los elementos del lenguaje según la configuración de los profesores y los elementos referentes a las prácticas de los alumnos.Además, los alumnos podrán realizar comprobaciones de la parte léxica de sus prácticas mediante los ficheros que se generan por el sistema en función de sus opciones de práctica y los fragmentos añadidos por los profesores. De esta manera, se informará a los alumnos del éxito de las pruebas o bien de los fallos ocasionados con sus resultados, bien por el formato del archivo subido como resultado de la prueba o bien por el contenido incorrecto de este mismo. Todas las funciones que ofrece esta aplicación son completamente on-line y tendrán una interfaz llamativa y divertida, además de caracterizarse por su facilidad de uso y su comodidad. En el trabajo realizado para este proyecto se cumplen tanto las Pautas de Accesibilidad para Contenidos Web (WCAG 2.0), así como las propiedades de un código HTML 5 y CSS 3 de manera correcta, para así conseguir que los usuarios utilicen una aplicación fácil, cómoda y atractiva.---ABSTRACT---This Final Year Project (TFG) aims to contribute the educational system of the School of Computer Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, especially in subjects related with Language Processors. This project is an interactive learning system whose goal is to learn in an amusing environment. To realize this target, the system involves students, using environments of games in tasks and practices. The application developed in this project is designed for both professors of the subjects of Language Processors and students who have some relation to these subjects. This perspective achieve more interaction and a funny environment during the subject‘s tasks. The application is configured in order to the users can be identified by their credentials, checking whether the identification data are correct to have access to the system. According on what type of user is identified, they will have different options within the system. Professors will be able to register, modify or delete settings for the scanner of languages for all the subjects preconfigured in the system. Additionally, professors can register, show, modify or remove the code of the templates from scanner tests that are offered to students for testing the practical exercises. The professors may provide also different characteristics and properties of fragments incorporated in the system. Moreover, students can make the configuration of languages, getting in the systems by the administrators, for the scanner module of their practical exercises. This configuration will be saved for the group of the student. This model can also be changed by any group member. The system permits also establish later the relationships between the elements of language fixes by professors and elements developed by the students. Students could check the lexical part of their practical exercises through files that are created according to their practical options and the fragments added by professors. Thus students will be informed of success or failure in the uploaded files format and in the content of them. All functions provide by this application are completely on-line and will have a striking and funny interface, also characterized by its ease of use and comfort.The work reaches both the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0), and the properties of an HTML 5 and CSS 3 code correctly, in order to get the users to get an easy, convenient application and attractive.

Assessing the suitability of student interactions from Moodle data logs as predictors of cross-curricular competencies

In the past decades, online learning has transformed the educational landscape with the emergence of new ways to learn. This fact, together with recent changes in educational policy in Europe aiming to facilitate the incorporation of graduate students to the labor market, has provoked a shift on the delivery of instruction and on the role played by teachers and students, stressing the need for development of both basic and cross-curricular competencies. In parallel, the last years have witnessed the emergence of new educational disciplines that can take advantage of the information retrieved by technology-based online education in order to improve instruction, such as learning analytics. This study explores the applicability of learning analytics for prediction of development of two cross-curricular competencies – teamwork and commitment – based on the analysis of Moodle interaction data logs in a Master’s Degree program at Universidad a Distancia de Madrid (UDIMA) where the students were education professionals. The results from the study question the suitability of a general interaction-based approach and show no relation between online activity indicators and teamwork and commitment acquisition. The discussion of results includes multiple recommendations for further research on this topic.