Results from using an environment for interpreter-based projects for the programming languages courses

The multiple language environment (MuLE) software tool is designed to support the teaching of programming languages using a combination of comparative and interpretive approaches. Accompanying the MuLE software tool is a user´s manual and a selection of pre-developed projects, scheme pre-labs, and testing programs. MuLE projects have been designed to vary in both size and complexity, allowing the instructor to select the appropriate level of classroom implementation. Formal assessment results indicate that students who used the MuLE software tool throughout a semester displayed a greater increase in content knowledge than did students who completed a traditional programming language course.