An innovative approach for training in programming using virtual laboratories

The paper describes and analyses the computer programming educational technology in Faculty of Technics and Technologies of Yambol, using traditional methodologies, e-learning and virtual laboratories. It reviews the characteristics of computer programming education, focusing on animation and simulations created by other higher education institutions on algorithm visualizations. The innovative approach has connected with using Moodle Virtual Lab and the Open Judge System for automatic students’ assessment and testing. In addition, the Virtual Laboratory for Training in Programming (VLTP) provides a virtual environment with animations, simulations and visualizations of the basic terms, algorithms and data structures in programming sphere.