A proposal of Android Programming Learning Assistant System with implementation of basic application learning
International Journal of Web Information Systems
ISSN: 1744-0084
Article publication date: 8 October 2019
Issue publication date: 17 April 2020
Abstract
Purpose
With rapid increase of Android devices and application systems, there is a strong demand for Android application programmers. A lot of schools are offering Android programming courses to meet this demand. However, Android programming can be different from the conventional one because it needs interactive functions through interfaces with users, which makes the study more difficult. This paper aims to propose an Android Programming Learning Assistance System, namely, APLAS, to assist the Java-based Android programming study and education.
Design/methodology/approach
By adopting the test-driven development method, APLAS is designed to achieve independent learning without the presence of teachers. Using JUnit and Robolectric, the answers from the students are automatically marked in APLAS. To cover extensive materials in Android programming, APLAS offers four stages where each stage involves several topics.
Findings
To evaluate the effectiveness of APLAS, we implemented the Unit Converter assignment that covers the first two topics, namely, Basic user interface in the first stage and basic activity in the second stage. Through solving the assignment, it is expected to learn basic application development. Forty novice students of an IT department in Indonesia were asked to solve both topics separately.
Originality/value
The results show that APLAS is useful and helpful for the self-study of Android programming, as they could complete codes with good execution performances.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are very grateful to Mr Pramana Yoga Saputra and Mr Rudy Ariyanto from State Polytechnic of Malang, and Mrs Inggriani Liem from Del Institute of Technology, for great helps in directing the students to solve the first APLAS assignment for evaluations. Yan Watequlis Syaifudin is also with State Polytechnic of Malang, Indonesia.
Citation
Syaifudin, Y.W., Funabiki, N., Kuribayashi, M. and Kao, W.-C. (2020), "A proposal of Android Programming Learning Assistant System with implementation of basic application learning", International Journal of Web Information Systems, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 115-135. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWIS-08-2019-0038
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited