Tag based feedback for programming courses

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a preliminary investigation into whether feedback generated by annotating source code with tags is considered useful by undergraduate students. These types of annotations facilitate a new approach to presenting assessment feedback to students in the form of a Web 2.0 tagging environment. This paper highlights the benefits and limitations of this approach as well as details of student reaction and behavior. This investigation focuses on assessment and feedback for an undergraduate Software Engineering Group Project. The preliminary results collected encourage further investigation of this approach.

A new marking technique in semi-automated assessment

“…Some semi-automated assessment systems also focus on providing feedback with visual annotations [24][17] [18]. Annotation is used to add explanatory notes to a text [24].…”

“…In this case, the marker provides annotation to give more detailed feedback. In a different marking system, the student solution is commented on by the marker using annotation in the form of tags [18]. The marker, in a different marking system, compiles and views the student's solution [24].…”

“…The best assessment approach, in terms of providing consistent feedback, is the fully-automated system [16]. However, more detailed feedback can be provided using a human marker [17] [18]. The reason for this is that the fully automated system may not be able to provide comments on critical aspects of code scripts.…”

Investigating shareable feedback tags for programming assignments

“…This article describes an investigation into the use of sharable tag based feedback delivered alongside students' original source code submissions and extends the investigative work initially presented in (Cummins, Burd and Hatch 2009). Student interactions with their feedback and the shared feedback of their peers have been recorded and investigated in this paper with the aim being to identify possible benefits associated with using tag based feedback.…”