Abstract Exposition As a Learning Tool to Enhance Thinking Skills in Computer Science and Mathematics
Abstract:
We illustrate the importance of good expositions and suggest ways to use them to enhance thinking skills of students in computer science and mathematics. First, we present our experience of using expositions to help children understand simple mathematical concepts and formulas. We used visual aids and sometimes constructed them with the children. We found the expositions accompanied by such activities very helpful. Second, we present our experience of using expositions to guide college students in the thinking process of understanding problems and constructing computer algorithms to solve them. Third, we introduce the reader to a data structure called suffix trees. Even though suffix trees allow efficient solutions to a wide range of complex string problems, the lack of good expositions kept them from being taught in mainstream computer science education [7]. Finally, we suggest ways to involve students in critical reading and writing of expositions to enhance their thinking skills.
Citations
| 391 | A space-economical suffix tree construction algorithm – McCreight - 1976 |
| 293 | Linear Pattern Matching Algorithm – Weiner - 1973 |
| 183 | On-Line Construction of Suffix Trees – Ukkonen - 1995 |
| 67 | Algorithms on Strings – Gusfield - 1997 |
| 36 | A History of Mathematics – Boyer - 1968 |
| 18 | Men of Mathematics – Bell - 1937 |
| 6 | An Introduction to the History of Mathematics – Eves - 1990 |
| 1 | Anno’s Math Games – Anno - 1987 |
| 1 | Anno’s Mysterious Multiplying Jar – Anno, Anno - 1999 |
