A HEURISTIC EVALUATION OFPROBLETSProblem Solving Software Assistants for Programming

ABOUT PROBLETS

Problem solving software assistants for learning, reinforcement and assessment of programming concepts

Designed to help students learn programming concepts through small-scale problem solving

To be used as a supplement to courses with large-scale problem-solving focus

For use by professors as part of a course curriculum

From Problets website: http://www.problets.org/

PROBLETS EVALUATED

Bitwise Operator Problems Determine the result of assorted bitwise

operations

HE PROBLEM:INITIAL INSTRUCTION WINDOW

Heuristics Addressed: Simple and Natural

Dialog Provide Clearly

Marked Exits Speak the User’s

Language Provide Adequate

Feedback

Bitwise Operator Problet

HE PROBLEM:SELECTION ERROR HANDLING Bitwise Operator Problet Heuristics Addressed:

Simple and Natural Dialog Error Prevention

HE PROBLEMTIME VISUALIZATION

Bitwise Operator Problet

Heuristics Addressed: Provide appropriate

feedback

HE GOOD FEATURESCREENSHOTS IN INSTRUCTIONS

Bitwise Operator Problet

Heuristics Addressed: Speak the User’s

Language

HE GOOD FEATUREEVALUATION TREE DEPTH

Bitwise Operator Problet

Heuristics Addressed: Feedback Minimize user

memory load

HE PROBLEM & GOOD FEATUREEXIT WINDOW

Bitwise Operator Problet

Heuristics Addressed: Provide Good Error

Messages Diagnose and

Prevent Errors Simple and natural

dialog