Capabilities of Problets

• Problem Generation:
  • The problet generates each problem as an instance of a problem template. As a result, no two problems generated by a problet are alike. As a result:
    • Each student sees a different set of problems. This helps prevent plagiarism/cheating when problets are used for in-class testsing or after-class assignments.
    • A student sees a different set of problems every time the student uses a problet. Therefore, the student may use a problet as many times as needed, whether for learning or testing or a mix of both.
  • Each problet contains a repository of over 200 problem templates.
  • The problet generates problems adaptively. In other words, it generates problems on only those concepts that the student has not yet mastered. This minimizes the learning time and better engages the interest of the student.
• Grading: The problet automatically grades the student's answer. It assigns partial credit where applicable.
• Feedback: The problet explains the execution of a program step-by-step. This explanation helps students learn from their mistakes. The problet provides the option to animate the explanation and match each line of explanation with the corresponding line of code.
• Logging data: The problet logs all the data - the problems attempted, the grade awarded to the student for each problem, the time spent by the student on each problem, etc. - on the server. This feature helps instructors automate tests and saves them time grading and collecting grades when the problet is used to administer in-class tests. The saved data can also be analyzed to identify concepts on which each student is having problems, as well as concepts on which an entire class is having problems. (This is the same mechanism used by the problet to adapt problem generation to the needs of the student.)