Data-structures students may prefer to learn algorithms using graphical methods

Scanlan, David A.

doi:10.1145/31726.31776

Cited by 13 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…According to neurocognitive research [1,2], the human brain is divided into two hemispheres . The left concentrates verbal and logical abilities and processes information sequentially, while th e right is responsible for visual and spatial abilities and processes basically in parallel form .…”

Section: 1) Project Motivatio Nmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Design of an algorithm simulation and animation environment (ASA)

Mayerhofer¹,

Lucena²

1992

SIGCSE Bull.

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This paper proposes a computer based environment to aid in teaching algorithms . The environment is called ASA (Algorithm Simulator and Animator) and it is being developed fo r SENAC, a Brazilian company, associated to Brazilian National Commerce Confederation , responsible for technical education .The text discusses difficulties in teaching algorithms and suggests the computer as a tool capabl e of decreasing existing learning barriers . In this context we present the goal of the ASA project . We review other on going projects also oriented towards teaching about algorithms through computer s which bear some influence on our work .In sequence, we present the ASA system's arquitecture . The system's three modules are describe d as : Algorithm Presentor, Animator (Data Animator and Code Animator) and Constructor .The experience gained in implementing the prototype is reported . Dificulties encountered and even implementation details are also reported . The experience provides insights for the project's future directions .We end by discussing the main research areas in operation, that are results from the experienc e gained .

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Section: 1) Project Motivatio Nmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The following projects/systems fall mainly in this category : NAT (Univ . of Kansas) [8], QBE and its derivatives [1], VIP (Mainstay) [9], PECAN (BROWN University) [2] .…”

Section: Ii) Algorithm Teaching System Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Design of an algorithm simulation and animation environment (ASA)

Mayerhofer¹,

Lucena²

1992

SIGCSE Bull.

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“…(Stone [1987] an d Scandura [1987] discuss progra m visualization using Scandura FLOWforms, a n enhanced version of Nassi-Shneiderrna n diagrams . Scanlan [1987] reports that dat a structures students prefer to learn fro m flowcharts . )…”

Section: Cumulative Graphic Trace Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Using cumulative graphic traces in the visualization of sorting algorithms

Stone

1989

SIGCSE Bull.

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Some instructionally oriented graphi c displays of algorithm execution can b e enhanced by the use of a cumulative graphi c trace, which presents a stylized visua l representation of the history of th e algorithm's operation on a data structure . This graphic trace can convey informatio n about the order in which operations wer e done or elements were processed , information which is often not available i n dynamic displays of algorithm execution . It can also in some cases serve as i n "icon" to help students remember th e algorithm or contrast it with simila r algorithms . The use of cumulative graphi c traces in the study of various sortin g algorithms is illustrated . . CUMULATIVE GRAPHIC TRACE SThe purpose of this article is to defin e and illustrate the use of cumulativ e graphic traces in program visualization fo r competer science instruction, specificall y in visualization of sorting algorithms . (In the terminology recommended by Brad A . Myers [1986], program visualization is th e graphic illustration of programs or thei r execution .) Program visualization system s which include displays of algorithms ar e fairly widely used in computer scienc e instruction .The displays may show th e algorithms in flowchart form, as pseudocod e or as source code .(Stone [1987] an d Scandura [1987] discuss progra m visualization using Scandura FLOWforms, a n enhanced version of Nassi-Shneiderrna n diagrams . Scanlan [1987] reports that dat a structures students prefer to learn fro m flowcharts . )The emphasis in this article, however, i s on program visualizations which includ e dynamic displays of data during algorith m execution . Brown (1988) presents a usefu l taxonomy of algorithm animation display s and discusses a number of examples i n light of this taxonomy . His classificatio n has three dimensions : content (directl y SIGCSE Vol . 21 No . 4 Dec . 198 9 flULLETII1 referenced in the algorithm vs . syntheti c or derived), persistence (current state vs . complete history), and transformatio n (discrete vs . incremental or continuous) . Another possible dimension for displays i s whether they show relatively abstrac t representations of data structures o r representations which emphasiz e implementation details (or both ; see Maxi m and Elenbogen [1987]) . Some recent report s on animated data displays for instructiona l purposes are McGlinn (1989), Myers , Chandhok and Sareen (1988), and Augenstei n and Langsam (1988) .A cumulative graphic trace presents a stylized visual representation of th e history of an algorithm's operation on a data structure . It is constructe d (probably adjacent to a representation o f the data structure) while the algorith m executes, and its purpose is to provide a record of what operations were done, wha t order they were done in, and what element s of the data structure they were done to . It supplies information about the tempora l sequence of operations by means of a spatial pattern ; one of the dimensions o f the graphic trace generally corresponds t o time .More specifical...

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Evaluation of process tools in systems analysis

Gorla

Rom

1995

Information and Software Technology

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Data-structures students may prefer to learn algorithms using graphical methods

Cited by 13 publications

References 16 publications

Design of an algorithm simulation and animation environment (ASA)

Design of an algorithm simulation and animation environment (ASA)

Using cumulative graphic traces in the visualization of sorting algorithms

Evaluation of process tools in systems analysis

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