The Possibilities of Virtual Learning Environment Tool Usability for Programming Training

Learning (teaching) of programming is a sensitive and hot topic for all scientists all over the world. When we learn to program something we have not only to listen to lectures, to analyze supplied and recommended learning material, to listen to teachers advice but to take an active part in learning process too. Virtual learning environment has been more and more integrated into full time study. The majority of virtual learning environments provide learning material, organization of learning activities, communication and cooperation means to the students but the standard kit does not meet specific learning programming needs. Active researchers, developers and Moodle users community has developed and constantly creates new and additional instruments. This paper analyses virtual learning environment tools that are suitable for teaching programming and corresponds effectively to a student’s individual learning style. We have used several learning style methods (formulated by Kolb, Honey and Mumford) that are closely interrelated. Main aims of this work could be formulated as follow: a) teaching (learning) methods of programming that are tailored to student’s learning style are defined; b) virtual learning environment tools that help to implement those learning methods are identified. The learning (teaching) methods by using virtual learning environment tools, mentioned above, are experimentally tested on mathematics and informatics students of Lithuanian university of Educational sciences (LUES). Citations: Violeta Jadzgevičienė, Jūratė Urbonienė. The Possibilities of Virtual Learning Environment Tool Usability for Programming Training – Innovative Infotechnologies for Science, Business and Education, ISSN 2029-1035 – 1(14) 2013 – Pp. 3-9.