TesterDS: an easy and stimulating way to learn Data Structures

• Iago Fabiano S. de Souza Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF)
• Helder L. Bertoldo dos Reis Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF)
• Vânia de Oliveira Neves Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/cbie.sbie.2018.864

Abstract

Some courses that are considered more difficult, such as Data Structures, have facing a high failure rate. Many students have difficulties for even starting to develop the proposed structure. Furthermore, an effort after class is required to achieve a better understanding of the content addressed in the classroom. However, to keep the students motivated to accomplish this task becomes a hard work for the teacher day by day. In this sense, this work presents TesterDS, a tool that has the proposal of facilitating and stimulating the learning of Data Structures in order to obtain a better understanding of the course by the students. For this, TesterDS uses concepts of Testing Driven Development and Gamification.

Keywords: learning, data structures, gamification, test-driven development, computer science education

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