Work in progress — A real time Java programming online assessment system

With the goals of engaging students in learning programming, increasing students´ learning confidence, and improving retention of CS students, this paper presents an innovative inquiry-based online real time Java programming assessment system for introductory Java programming course to facilitate the interaction between the instructor and students, the student collaboration in problem solving, and to enhance the student´s “learning by doing” and “learning from failure” activities. The system allows instructor to assess student learning progress in class instantly. The concept-proof prototype of the system is demonstrated and the preliminary in-class experiment receives positive feedbacks from students.