Programming education based on computer graphics animation

Abstract

In the department in charge of Computer and Information Engineering, the topic of computer programming may be a required subject. To improve this course and to aid the understanding of the essence of computer programming, we developed a new teaching method named Program Reading Practice. Program Reading Practice adopts an interactive lecture style, while simultaneously using a Training Kit Program based on computer graphics animation named WinTK. Students read the source codes of these programs, which are designed for attracting their interest. Then the teacher shows the visual subject or graphic animation on the teacher's instruction screen and instructs students to rewrite (i.e., modify or extend) a similar source code. Students thus have to read source codes carefully and to modify or extend these after repeated trials and errors. Because WinTK includes the framework of graphics programming, students can concentrate on the technical subject. Thus they acquire a method to construct computer programs in many ways. We have used this practice for five years, and we are convinced of the positive effect of the Program Reading Practice.