A Script-based Approach for Teaching and Assessing Android Application Development

Mobile applications are extremely popular with many higher education institutions offering courses to prepare new developers sought by the software industry. However, teaching and assessing mobile application development poses specific challenges due to the complexity of real-world programming languages and environments. In this work, we present a script-based approach for teaching and assessing Android application development that addresses shortcomings of existing tools that impact negatively on the learning experience. Our evaluation, which covers pedagogical and technical aspects, provides possible evidence that the scripts have been beneficial in helping students to work more efficiently and achieve better results. Additionally, the scripts have been effective in streamlining the grading process and keeping the tutorial material up to date with the evolution of the Android platform.