Choosing Controls and Phrases in Flowcharts to Inspect Understanding Frames of Procedures

In programming, it is difficult to make source codes without understanding of algorithms. The understanding of algorithms is one thing, and the ability to make source codes with programming language is another thing. Student understanding of algorithms needs to be evaluated separately from skills to make source codes. For understanding of algorithms, students need to combine pieces of procedures in each algorithm. In this paper, we propose a method to inspect understanding about the combination of procedures for each algorithm. In our method, the combination is described with a flowchart. Students make flowcharts by choosing phrases. In this way, a teacher can inspect student understanding of algorithms independently from knowledge on programming language and skills to make source codes. Our method provides a server which automates exercises with flowcharts for students. They receive scores and comments from the server. They not only grasp their understanding but also review exercises effectively.