Separable UI architectures in teaching object technology

The paper concerns the critical role of separable user interface design in teaching object oriented systems. M206 "Computing: An Object-oriented Approach" is a large scale university level introduction to software development designed from scratch for distance learning, using an objects first approach with Smalltalk. The course is degree level, counting as one-sixth of a degree, and is being offered in the UK, Western Europe and Singapore. To address the needs of industry, we have developed a radical syllabus that adheres to the principle of designing complex systems by separating view and model, and have developed a programming and learning environment to support these ideas. We examine how separable user interface architectures have guided our teaching of object technology and the design of powerful microworlds that are both usable and extendible by neophytes. The course and relevant teaching with software is outlined and the technical design and pedagogic use of the microworlds and GUI builder tool are described.