CodeRunnerGL - An Interactive Web-Based Tool for Computer Graphics Teaching and Assessment

Teaching and learning computer graphics is often considered challenging. One reason is that computer graphics requires a diverse range of skills such as 3D spatial reasoning, programming, mathematics, problem solving, and design. Researchers have tried to address the problem by applying different teaching methodologies (e.g. top-down versus bottom-up) and developing specialised teaching tools. However, most of these tools have been predominantly academic projects with no long-term usage, it is difficult to create new content for them, and they are usually not useful for assessment. We have adapted CodeRunner, a free open source question-type plug-in for Moodle, to OpenGL assignments and used it for classes with more than 300 students. Results were overwhelmingly positive and students perceived the tool as having significantly improved their learning. However, students criticised the static view of OpenGL output, the lack of formative feedback, and the inability to experiment with OpenGL code. In this paper we present three extensions to our CodeRunner OpenGL teaching tool: interactive 3D renderings on the web-based client, extensions to the Moodle templates enabling formative feedback, and sandboxes for experimenting with OpenGL code. Student feedback suggests that these extensions significantly improve the usefulness of the application.