Trinket Exercises for In-Class Active Learning in Intro Programming Classes

Abstract

We present a study on the use of a Java Active Learning Workbook that uses Trinket, a simple web-based coding platform. We developed this workbook as an open educational resource to provide scaffolded and theme-based exercises for students to work on as part of active learning activities in a flipped classroom. This workbook was used in three different sections of a second programming course (which introduces objects, exception handling, file I/O, arraylists, linked lists, etc.) at the University of Manitoba. We interviewed 10 students from the three different sections to understand student use and perceptions of the workbook. Students were positive about the use of Trinkets for in-class learning and often used the Workbook instead of watching prepwork videos. Some students also used Trinkets to practice programming prior to assessments. As the authors of the workbook, we also contribute an analysis of the platform tradeoffs between creating a workbook of exercises on Trinket.io vs. Runestone Academy.