A Learning Support System for Understanding Pointers in C Language Based on Program Behavior Visualization

Abstract

Much research has been conducted on systems that facilitate learners’ understanding of program behavior through program behavior visualization. In this study, we focus on program education by constructing a system to support the understanding of pointers in C language. The system requires the learner to answer questions about the assignment statement of the pointer. The learner responds by clicking on a conceptual view in which the behavior of the algorithm is visualized. We conducted an evaluation experiment using 50 first year students in engineering department as subjects. Our results indicate that the learning system was effective.