minimUML: A Minimalist Approach to UML Diagraming for Early Computer Science Education

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dc.contributor.authorTurner, Scott Alexanderen
dc.contributor.committeechairPérez-Quiñones, Manuel A.en
dc.contributor.committeememberNorth, Christopher L.en
dc.contributor.committeememberEdwards, Stephen H.en
dc.contributor.departmentComputer Scienceen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T20:37:44Zen
dc.date.adate2005-06-15en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T20:37:44Zen
dc.date.issued2005-02-04en
dc.date.rdate2005-06-15en
dc.date.sdate2005-05-20en
dc.description.abstractUnified Modeling Language (UML) diagraming is commonly used in introductory Computer Science to teach basic object-oriented design, but there appears to be a lack of suitable software to support this task well. Many of the available programs focus on developing code and not on enhancing learning. Those that were designed for educational use sometimes have poor interfaces or are missing common and important features, such as multiple selection and undo/redo. There is a need for software that is tailored to an instructional environment and has all the useful and needed functionality for that specific task. This is the purpose of minimUML. It provides a minimum amount of UML, just what is commonly used in beginning programming classes, while providing a simple, usable interface. In particular, minimUML was designed to support abstract design while supplying features for exploratory learning and error avoidance. Some of the functionality supported includes multiple selection, undo/redo, flexible printing, cut and paste, and drag and drop. In addition, it allows for the annotation of diagrams, through text or freeform drawings, so students can receive feedback on their work. To test minimUML's ease of use, it was run through a small usability study. While a number of issues were raised, the tool generally received positive evaluations that lead us to believe that we have reached our goal.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.identifier.otheretd-05202005-103827en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05202005-103827/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/33030en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartscturnerthesis.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectMinimalist Designen
dc.subjectEducational Toolsen
dc.subjectComputer Science Educationen
dc.subjectUML Diagramingen
dc.titleminimUML: A Minimalist Approach to UML Diagraming for Early Computer Science Educationen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineComputer Scienceen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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