Intelligent computer-aided instruction for the coding task

This paper describes an intelligent computer-aided instruction (ICAI) system for the task of translating a high level program design language (PDL) into a programming language. It enforces the desirable separation of algorithm design and coding by focusing on coding as an independent task. A production system formalism is used to represent the rules needed to do the translation. The intelligent tutor program presents a PDL program to the learner and then uses the production rules to translate it into FORTRAN 77, saving the correct set of rules needed. It then inputs the learner's translation, and when it is not correct, it attempts to determine those rules not applied correctly. After isolating an error, it is capable of several response levels which give the learner maximum opportunity to discover her his own error. These responses involve the generation of remedial PDL programs which highlight the rule that has presented difficulty to the learner. Finally, methods of incorporating the ICAI system into a beginning Computer Science course are presented.