A methodology and a framework proposal for competitive learning in programming courses

There are many different teaching/learning styles and preferences described in literature. We can find differences in preferences of students in learning through experiential or concrete instruction, as well as we can find those who prefer cooperative activities to a learning process with a competitive motivation, and vice-versa. The style of an evaluation is also a key parameter for the learning process of a student, being determinant to the study path until its realization. In this paper, we follow the approach that includes competitive learning as a major concept and methodology in nowadays learning processes. We consider it essential for the growth of our students to face a very competitive global society. This paper presents an approach for programming language courses based on competitive learning applied to the usual individualized and cooperative settings. Besides the theoretical lessons, and laboratory practices, we propose the use of a framework to automate all the support and evaluation processes. The framework is under development, being composed by three modules. Each of these modules targets a different competitive setting, which can be either interpersonal or intergroup. Additionally, questionnaire results indicate that students responded positively to an application of the proposed methodology.