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DOI: 10.4230/OASIcs.ICPEC.2026.13

The SOB Monitor: Supporting Competency-Based Assessment with Gamification (Short Paper)

Authors: David Dorvekinger, Michael Heeney, and Kelly Androutsopoulos

Published in: OASIcs, Volume 145, 7th International Computer Programming Education Conference (ICPEC 2026)

Abstract

The SOB Monitor is a web-based platform that supports competency-based assessment through Student Observable Behaviours (SOBs). SOBs are defined as measurable units aligned with learning outcomes and are assessed at Threshold, Typical, and Excellent levels. The assessment strategy involves continuous assessment with multiple resubmission opportunities, allowing for real-time monitoring of student progress. It is adopted on several undergraduate Computer Science modules, including first-year Programming, Systems and Architecture, Foundations of Computing, and Design and Development of Applications. In this paper, we describe assessment with SOBs, the new architecture of the SOB Monitor platform, its implementation and how it supports competency-based assessment in Computer Science undergraduate modules. Gamification elements including leaderboard and rankings have been introduced to enhance student motivation, engagement and self-regulated learning within pass/fail modules.

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David Dorvekinger, Michael Heeney, and Kelly Androutsopoulos. The SOB Monitor: Supporting Competency-Based Assessment with Gamification (Short Paper). In 7th International Computer Programming Education Conference (ICPEC 2026). Open Access Series in Informatics (OASIcs), Volume 145, pp. 13:1-13:9, Schloss Dagstuhl – Leibniz-Zentrum für Informatik (2026)

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@InProceedings{dorvekinger_et_al:OASIcs.ICPEC.2026.13,
  author =	{Dorvekinger, David and Heeney, Michael and Androutsopoulos, Kelly},
  title =	{{The SOB Monitor: Supporting Competency-Based Assessment with Gamification}},
  booktitle =	{7th International Computer Programming Education Conference (ICPEC 2026)},
  pages =	{13:1--13:9},
  series =	{Open Access Series in Informatics (OASIcs)},
  ISBN =	{978-3-95977-443-7},
  ISSN =	{2190-6807},
  year =	{2026},
  volume =	{145},
  editor =	{Portela, Filipe and Matos, Lu{\'\i}s and Guimar\~{a}es, Tiago},
  publisher =	{Schloss Dagstuhl -- Leibniz-Zentrum f{\"u}r Informatik},
  address =	{Dagstuhl, Germany},
  URL =		{https://drops.dagstuhl.de/entities/document/10.4230/OASIcs.ICPEC.2026.13},
  URN =		{urn:nbn:de:0030-drops-267507},
  doi =		{10.4230/OASIcs.ICPEC.2026.13},
  annote =	{Keywords: Competency-based education, interactive learning environments, assessment, higher education, computer science education, gamification}
}

Document

DOI: 10.4230/OASIcs.ICPEC.2024.15

Implementing a Digital Twin for a Robotic Platform to Support Large-Scale Coding Classes

Authors: Michael Heeney, Kelly Androutsopoulos, and Franco Raimondi

Published in: OASIcs, Volume 122, 5th International Computer Programming Education Conference (ICPEC 2024)

Abstract

Constructionist learning involves learners that are actively engaged in the construction of an entity that reflects the learning achievements. When learning to code, such a physical entity can take the shape of a robot, or of a robotic arm, or any other hardware device that is used to manifest the effect of the code that students are writing. Hardware devices have been used in primary and secondary schools, and also in Higher Education. Unfortunately, the use of hardware devices is limited as it does not scale to large cohorts and requires a physical space for face-to-face teaching. In this paper we introduce a digital twin for a robotic platform to replicate a classroom setting used for teaching first year undergraduate Computer Science students. We describe the architecture of the system and its implementation.

Cite as

Michael Heeney, Kelly Androutsopoulos, and Franco Raimondi. Implementing a Digital Twin for a Robotic Platform to Support Large-Scale Coding Classes. In 5th International Computer Programming Education Conference (ICPEC 2024). Open Access Series in Informatics (OASIcs), Volume 122, pp. 15:1-15:12, Schloss Dagstuhl – Leibniz-Zentrum für Informatik (2024)

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@InProceedings{heeney_et_al:OASIcs.ICPEC.2024.15,
  author =	{Heeney, Michael and Androutsopoulos, Kelly and Raimondi, Franco},
  title =	{{Implementing a Digital Twin for a Robotic Platform to Support Large-Scale Coding Classes}},
  booktitle =	{5th International Computer Programming Education Conference (ICPEC 2024)},
  pages =	{15:1--15:12},
  series =	{Open Access Series in Informatics (OASIcs)},
  ISBN =	{978-3-95977-347-8},
  ISSN =	{2190-6807},
  year =	{2024},
  volume =	{122},
  editor =	{Santos, Andr\'{e} L. and Pinto-Albuquerque, Maria},
  publisher =	{Schloss Dagstuhl -- Leibniz-Zentrum f{\"u}r Informatik},
  address =	{Dagstuhl, Germany},
  URL =		{https://drops.dagstuhl.de/entities/document/10.4230/OASIcs.ICPEC.2024.15},
  URN =		{urn:nbn:de:0030-drops-209848},
  doi =		{10.4230/OASIcs.ICPEC.2024.15},
  annote =	{Keywords: digital twin, introductory programming, constructionism, robotics, computer science education}
}

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The SOB Monitor: Supporting Competency-Based Assessment with Gamification (Short Paper)

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Implementing a Digital Twin for a Robotic Platform to Support Large-Scale Coding Classes

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