FCTOOL: uma ferramenta para a geração de roteiros adaptativos de aulas invertidas de sistemas distribuídos

Abstract

In the computer courses, teaching Distributed Systems (DS) presents many challenges, mainly related to the students’ heterogeneous prior knowledge. Active methodologies, such as Adaptive Learning and Flipped Classroom, are already effective in improving teaching-learning processes in courses that share similar contexts to DS. Using these approaches together could enable students to explore content adaptively while meeting the professor’s goals. In this context, this work presents the design and development of a web-tool for the generation of customised study scripts. We call it the Flipped Classroom Tool (FCTOOL). This tool applies some concepts of the Document Product Lines, and it is designed to assist with conducting Flipped Classes. FCTOOL focuses on the class preparation time and delivery of custom materials to students. The FCTOOL assessment was conducted from two perspectives: professors and students. Twenty-six students and two professors participated in this study. From the professors’ perspective, acceptance of methodology and ease of use of the tool were evaluated by two professors. The results show that both educators approved the use of the FCTOOL for Distributed Systems classes. From the students’ perspective, the results show that most students positively evaluated the proposed approach and felt motivated about Flipped Classes with Adaptive Learning techniques. Also, the use of FCTOOL for content adaptation did not negatively impact students’ knowledge gain. This paper presents the conception and development of an Adaptive Flipped Classes model supported by a computational tool. The main features of the developed model, as well as the details of the FCTOOL tool are explained in this work.