An Iterative Methodology for Teaching Object Oriented Concepts Cover Image

An Iterative Methodology for Teaching Object Oriented Concepts
An Iterative Methodology for Teaching Object Oriented Concepts

Author(s): Irit Hadar, Ethan Hadar
Subject(s): Higher Education , Methodology and research technology, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
Published by: Vilniaus Universiteto Leidykla
Keywords: teaching object oriented; abstraction; visual models;

Summary/Abstract: Abstract thinking is a vital skill when learning computer science. Object technology and the concepts it is based upon make this skill even more crucial. However, previous research works show that students in top universities as well as experienced practitioners in industry encounter difficulties in thinking in abstract terms while practicing object oriented development. In this paper we suggest an iterative teaching methodology for supporting students in learning object oriented concepts. The suggested methodology is based on familiarizing students with modeling languages and tools at the early stages of their learning and iterating between model and code. We theoretically examine the contribution of modeling languages, in particular UML, to abstract thinking and consequently to the understanding of object oriented concepts and present some observations acquired during a trial execution of this methodology in a university course.

  • Issue Year: 6/2007
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 67-80
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: English