Evaluation of SPARK C++ Usability: Modular Programming for Mechanical and Civil Engineering Students

Evaluation of SPARK C++ Usability: Modular Programming for Mechanical and Civil Engineering Students

Authors

  • Azrina Suhaimi Department of Computing Sciences Study, College of Computing, Informatics & Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA Johor Branch, Pasir Gudang Campus, 81750 Johor, Malaysia
  • Mohamad Faizal Ab Jabal Applied Mathematics & System Development (AMSys)-Special Interest Group (SIG), Universiti Teknologi MARA Johor Branch, Pasir Gudang Campus, 81750 Johor, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1137-0088
  • Harshida Hasmy Department of Computing Sciences Study, College of Computing, Informatics & Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA Johor Branch, Pasir Gudang Campus, 81750 Johor, Malaysia
  • Azyan Yusra Kapi @ Kahbi Department of Computing Sciences Study, College of Computing, Informatics & Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA Johor Branch, Pasir Gudang Campus, 81750 Johor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/jcrinn.v9i2.481

Keywords:

Educational Technology, Modular Programming, Nielsen Usability Metrics, Programming Education, SPARK C , Web-based Learning Tools

Abstract

Technological innovations have transformed education, offering learning opportunities outside traditional classrooms through online resources. However, self-learning programming remains challenging for beginners. The SPARK C++ tool was developed to assist Mechanical and Civil Engineering students at Universiti Teknologi MARA in mastering C++ modular programming. This study evaluates the usability of SPARK C++ using Nielsen's metrics: learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors, and satisfaction. Sixty-three students from these engineering programs participated, providing data through Nielsen's Usability Test, which included Likert scale questions and open-ended feedback. The results revealed significant differences in usability perceptions by gender and program, with female Mechanical Engineering students reporting higher satisfaction. Key strengths were user-friendly design, engaging content, interactive quizzes, and multimedia features. Areas for improvement included better error messages, more comprehensive notes, and downloadable results. Enhancing these aspects can improve learning experiences and retention rates. This study highlights the need for continuous improvement of educational technologies based on user feedback and suggests future research should broaden usability testing to ensure inclusivity and adaptability.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Azrina Suhaimi, Department of Computing Sciences Study, College of Computing, Informatics & Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA Johor Branch, Pasir Gudang Campus, 81750 Johor, Malaysia

Azrina Suhaimi, lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, College of Computing, Informatics and Mathematics at the Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Johor, Kampus Pasir Gudang. She completed her Masters in Computer Science from the Faculty of Computing, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), in 2005. Her main research activity is in the area of programming education. Recently, she has taken an interest in predictive analytics using machine learning. She can be reached through her email at azrin253@uitm.edu.my

Mohamad Faizal Ab Jabal, Applied Mathematics & System Development (AMSys)-Special Interest Group (SIG), Universiti Teknologi MARA Johor Branch, Pasir Gudang Campus, 81750 Johor, Malaysia

Mohamad Faizal Ab Jabal, PhD, is a senior lecturer in the College of Computing, Informatics, and Mathematics at the University Technology of MARA. His primary research interests lie in the areas of digital image processing and computer science education. He is actively engaged in research within these fields and regularly conducts studies to advance knowledge and practice. Dr. Faizal can be reached via email at m.faizal@uitm.edu.my

Harshida Hasmy, Department of Computing Sciences Study, College of Computing, Informatics & Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA Johor Branch, Pasir Gudang Campus, 81750 Johor, Malaysia

Harshida Hasmy is a Computer Science Lecturer at the Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Johor, Kampus Pasir Gudang. She completed her Masters of Science in Information Technology and Quantitative Science from the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, University Teknologi MARA, in 2016. Her areas of expertise include computational linguistic, computational morphology, natural language processing, information retrieval, Malay lexicon and programming.

Azyan Yusra Kapi @ Kahbi, Department of Computing Sciences Study, College of Computing, Informatics & Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA Johor Branch, Pasir Gudang Campus, 81750 Johor, Malaysia

Azyan Yusra Kapi @ Kahbi is a Computer Science Lecturer in the College of Computing Informatics and Mathematics at Universiti Teknologi MARA Pasir Gudang Campus. She completed her Masters in Computer Science from the Faculty of Computing, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), in 2011. Her areas of expertise include heuristic search, path planning or pathfinding, software watermarking, game-based learning, e-learning, and educational technology. She can be reached through her email at azyanyusra@uitm.edu.my

References

Aljawarneh, S. A. (2020). Reviewing and exploring innovative ubiquitous learning tools in higher education. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 32(1), 57-73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12528-019-09207-0

Becker, S. A., Brown, M., Dahlstrom, E., Davis, A., DePaul, K., Diaz, V., & Pomerantz, J. (2018). NMC Horizon Report: 2018 Higher Education Edition. Louisville, Co: Educause, 2018. https://library.educause.edu/~/media/files/library/2018/8/2018horizonreport.pdf

Cheah, C. S. (2020). Factors contributing to the difficulties in teaching and learning of computer programming: A literature review. Contemporary Educational Technology, 12(2), ep272. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/8247

Chu, A., Biancarelli, D., Drainoni, M. L., Liu, J. H., Schneider, J. I., Sullivan, R., & Sheng, A. Y. (2019). Usability of learning moment: Features of an e-learning tool that maximize adoption by students. The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 21(1), 78–84. https://doi.org/10.5811/westjem.2019.6.42657

Crandall, P. G., Engler, R. K., Beck, D. E., Killian, S. A., O’bryan, C. A., Jarvis, N., & Clausen, E. (2015). Development of an augmented reality game to teach abstract concepts in food chemistry. Journal of Food Science Education, 14(1), 18–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4329.12048

Demitriadou, E., Stavroulia, K., & Lanitis, A. (2019). Comparative evaluation of virtual and augmented reality for teaching mathematics in primary education. Education and Information Technologies, 25(1), 381–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-019-09973-5

Didik-Hariyanto, M., & Bruri-Triyono, T. K. (2020). Usability evaluation of personalized adaptive e-learning system using USE questionnaire. Knowledge Management & E-Learning: An International Journal, 12, 85–105. https://doi.org/10.34105/j.kmel.2020.12.005

Flórez, F. B., Casallas, R., Hernández, M., Reyes, A., Restrepo, S., & Danies, G. (2017). Changing a generation’s way of thinking: Teaching computational thinking through programming. Review of Educational Research, 87(4), 834–860. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654317710096

Hotle, F. (2020). Technology and the science class: Going beyond the walls of the disk drive. In T. R. Cannings & L. Finkel (Eds.), The technology age classroom. Wilsonville: Franklin, Breddle and Associates.

Hoyt, J. E. (1999). Does the delivery method matter? Comparing technologically delivered distance education with on-campus instruction. https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=0dd75ed2b093b5097b6809311bad09a0e680d718

Hsu, T.-C., Chang, S.-C., & Hung, Y.-T. (2018). How to learn and how to teach computational thinking: Suggestions based on a review of the literature. Computers & Education, 126, 296–310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.07.004

Kapi@Kahbi, A. Y., Suhaimi, A., Hasmy, H., & Jabal, M. F. A. (2023). Innovation of digital multimedia: Recognizing the advantages. e-Academia Journal of UiTM Cawangan Terengganu, 12(2), 224-239. https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/88005/

Leung, S. L., Marsh, E., Lynch, S., Sommer, H. J., Brennan, S. N., Wong, T. S., ... & Thole, K. A. (2021, July). A New Approach to Equip Students to Solve 21st-Century Global Challenges: Integrated Problem-Based Mechanical Engineering Laboratory. In 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access. American Society for Engineering Education.

Nielsen, J. (1994). Usability Engineering. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers Inc.

Scherer, R., Siddiq, F., & Viveros, B. S. (2020). A meta-analysis of teaching and learning computer programming: Effective instructional approaches and conditions. Computers in Human Behavior, 109, 106349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106349

Soub, T. F. A., Alsarayreh, R. S., & Amarin, N. Z. (2021). Students' satisfaction with using e-learning to learn Chemistry in light of the Covid-19 pandemic in Jordanian universities. International Journal of Instruction, 14(3), 1011-1024. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1304581.pdf

Tsai, Y. L., & Tsai, C. C. (2020). A meta‐analysis of research on digital game‐based science learning. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 36(3), 280-294. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12430

Umapathy, K., & Ritzhaupt, A. D. (2017). A meta-analysis of pair-programming in computer programming courses: Implications for educational practice. ACM Transactions on Computing Education, 17(4), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1145/2996201

Yu, Z., & Deng, X. (2022). A meta-analysis of gender differences in e-learners' self-efficacy, satisfaction, motivation, attitude, and performance across the world. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 897327. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897327/full

Downloads

Published

2024-09-01

How to Cite

Suhaimi, A., Ab Jabal, M. F., Hasmy, H., & Kapi @ Kahbi, A. Y. (2024). Evaluation of SPARK C++ Usability: Modular Programming for Mechanical and Civil Engineering Students. Journal of Computing Research and Innovation, 9(2), 188–200. https://doi.org/10.24191/jcrinn.v9i2.481

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2024)

Section

General Computing

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Azrina Suhaimi, Mohamad Faizal Ab Jabal, Harshida Hasmy, Azyan Yusra Kapi @ Kahbi (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

Most read articles by the same author(s)