Intelligent learning environments within blended learning for ensuring effective C programming course

TL;DR

This study implemented and evaluated a blended learning model with intelligent environments for a C programming course, showing increased student satisfaction and improved learning outcomes.

Contribution

It introduces a novel blended learning approach incorporating intelligent environments like CTutor and ITest within an LMS for C programming education.

Findings

Students accepted the blended learning model positively.

Intelligent environments enhanced students' understanding of C programming.

The model improved student performance in the course.

Abstract

This paper describes a blended learning implementation and experience supported with intelligent learning environments included in a learning management system (LMS) called @KU-UZEM. The blended learning model is realized as a combination of face to face education and e-learning. The intelligent learning environments consist of two applications named CTutor, ITest. In addition to standard e-learning tools, students can use CTutor to resolve C programming exercises. CTutor is a problem-solving environment, which diagnoses students' knowledge level but also gives feedbacks and tips to help them to understand the course subject, overcome their misconceptions and reinforce learnt concepts. ITest provides an assessment environment in which students can take quizzes that were prepared according to their learning levels. The realized model was used for two terms in the "C Programming" course given at Afyon Kocatepe University. A survey was conducted at the end of the course to find out to what extent the students were accepting the blended learning model supported with @KU-UZEM and to discover students' attitude towards intelligent learning environments. Additionally, an experiment formed with an experimental group who took an active part in the realized model and a control group who only took the face to face education was performed during the first term of the course. According to the results, students were satisfied with intelligent learning environments and the realized learning model. Furthermore, the use of intelligent learning environments improved the students' knowledge about C programming.