Interactive Media Group, Rochester Institute of Technology
Collaboration led by Andrew Phelps and with Kevin Bierre

The Multi-User Programming Pedagogy for Enhancing Traditional Study (M.U.P.P.E.T.S.) is a virtual world environment in which students can learn programming through the creation of compelling graphical, interactive content.  The M.U.P.P.E.T.S. engine has been developed using state-of-the-art practices from the Entertainment Technology sector, boasting such features as OpenGL/DirectX accelerated multipass rendering solutions, octree systems, support for model formats, advanced lighting and shading, and much more.  Along with graphics support, the engine supports networking, user interface creation and layout, persistence mechanisms, and audio.  These features are also combined with support for Sun Microsystems' Java and Microsoft's C# programming languages.  Involvement with this project has included the development of project materials to support objects-first pedagogy for introductory programmers.  In addition, involvement has included the supervision, instruction, and co-development with students attempting to solve difficult problems within M.U.P.P.E.T.S., including managed/unmanaged code interoperability, thread management, and debugging for multi-processor systems. This effort is funded through gifts from Microsoft Research.