Towards an e-assessment approach of algorithmic problem-solving skills using plan-based program understanding approach

The majority of the students of Computer Science often start directly writing a program code when they have been asked to resolve a problem in algorithms. Although, what is way more important is the algorithm the code has to represent. Learning how to design an algorithm which resolves a given problem it is not easy. In this paper, we propose a formative-diagnostic assessment approach which helps students on acquiring problem-solving skills that enable them to cope with problems and to design more efficient and elegant solutions. Aside from the fact that this approach brings a solution for delicate problem of e-assessment of algorithmic skills, in addition it is formative aiming at strengthening algorithmic competencies. Drawing inspiration from the basic principles of the algorithms field itself, it is based on using known components called: Basic Operations which are organized in a library. For modeling, solutions of each problem are regrouped in a bunch and each solution is represented by a plan which is the canonical representation of a program in an approach of program understanding. The purpose of this approach is to provide a formative and diagnostic assessment in order to empower the learner to acquire algorithmic problem-solving skills. Even if it has been conceived for algorithmic competencies assessment, this approach can easily be adapted to any field to assess its know-how.