Improving the usability of Eclipse for novice programmers

This paper describes how we are designing a set of plug-ins to improve teaching and learning of Java programming. Based on requirements gathered from key project stakeholders, the plug-ins include perspectives for both students and instructors. These plug-ins are being developed as part of the Gild project. The paper summarizes our design process from requirements gathering through to initial tool evaluation. In particular, it details the student perspective and describes how it addresses many pedagogical issues facing computer science educators today. Gild is currently deployed and in use at the University of Victoria.