Title
Sorting out sorting through concretization with robotics
Abstract
We describe a novel approach to algorithms concretization that extends the current mode of software visualization from computer screens to the real world. The method combines hands-on robotics and traditional algorithm visualization techniques to help diverse learners comprehend the basic idea of the given algorithm. From this point of view the robots interpret an algorithm while their internal program and external appearance determine the role they have in it. This gives us the possibility to bring algorithms into the real physical world where students can even touch the data structures during the execution. In the first version, we have concentrated on a few sorting algorithms as a proof-of-concept. Moreover, we have carried out an evaluation with 13-to-15-year-old students who used the concretization for gaining insight into one sorting algorithm. The preliminary results indicate that the tool can enhance learning. Now, our aim is to build an environment that supports both visualizations and robotics based concretizations of algorithms at the same time.
Year
DOI
Venue
2004
10.1145/989863.989929
AVI
Keywords
Field
DocType
traditional algorithm visualization technique,algorithms concretization,basic idea,real physical world,real world,hands-on robotics,computer screen,current mode,software visualization,data structure,proof of concept,robotics,algorithms,sorting,sorting algorithm
Data structure,Computer science,Sorting,Human–computer interaction,Artificial intelligence,Software visualization,Current mode,Robot,Algorithm visualization,Robotics,Sorting algorithm
Conference
ISBN
Citations 
PageRank 
1-58113-867-9
2
0.47
References 
Authors
7
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Javier López120.47
Niko Myller229624.67
Erkki Sutinen31131188.05