an automatic tutor for introductory programming students
This paper discusses an automatic tutor of programming, implemented on the PLATO IV CAI system [1] as a part of an automated instructional system for computer science being developed at the University of Illinois [8]. This tutor exposes the introductory student to structured programming concepts and top-down problem solution techniques by means of example. The student develops (on-line, using an approach based on stepwise refinement [11]) a solution to a single, relatively complex programming problem (symbolic differentiation of a polynomial). Student and tutor engage in an interactive dialogue during this problem-solving process, the tutor providing hints regarding solution steps, and comments about program structure and efficiency. A small sample of the types of responses the tutor might make is presented
automation introductory programming program student paper systems instruction computer science structure concept examples refine complexity polynomial interaction dialogue process efficiency sampling types