Understanding data structures and algorithms, both of which are abstract concepts, is an integral part of software engineering and elementary computer science education. However, people usually have difficulty in understanding abstract concepts and processes such as procedural encoding of algorithms and data structures. One way to improve their understanding is to provide visualizations to make the abstract concepts more concrete. This thesis presents the design, implementation and evaluation for the Matrix application framework that occupies a unique niche between the following two domains. In the first domain, called algorithm animation, abstractions of the behavior of fundamental computer program operations are visualized. In the second domain, called algorithm simulation, the framework for exploring and understanding algorithms and data structures is exhibited. First, an overview and theoretical basis for the application framework is presented. Second, the different roles are defined and examined for realizing the idea of algorithm

Existing reification techniques for Java only allow for inspection and manipulation of Java programs on the class, object and method level, but not at the level of individual program points. In this paper we introduce a reification technique of program points based on source-tosource transformations. Our reification method allows for the association of arbitrary meta-information with program points and to manipulate it during execution. We present examples of the innovative use of such reified program points for visualizing the execution of Java programs.

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Purpose – Development of a system called Structured Hypermedia Algorithm Explanation (SHALEX), as a remedy for the limitations existing within the current traditional algorithm animation systems. SHALEX provides several novel features, such as use of invariants, reflection of the high-level structure of an algorithm rather than low-level steps, and support for programming the algorithm in any procedural or object-oriented programming language. Design/methodology/approach – By defining the structure of an algorithm as a directed graph of abstractions, algorithms may be studied top-down, bottom-up, or using a mix of the two. In addition, SHALEX includes a learner model to provide spatial links, and to support evaluations and adaptations. Findings – Evaluations of traditional algorithm animation systems designed to teach algorithms in higher education or in professional training show that such systems have not achieved many expectations of their developers. One reason for this failure is the lack of stimulating learning environments which support the learning process by providing features such as multiple levels of abstraction, support for hypermedia, and learner-adapted visualizations. SHALEX supports these environments, and in addition provides persistent storage that can be used to analyze students ’ performance. In particular, this storage can be used to represent a student model that supports adaptive system behavior. Research limitations/implications – SHALEX is being implemented and tested by the authors and a group of students. The tests performed so far have shown that SHALEX is a very useful tool. In the future we plan additional quantitative evaluation to compare SHALEX with other AA systems and/or the concept keyboard approach.

Many individual instructors—and, in some cases, entire universities—are gravitating towards the use of comprehensive learning management systems (LMSs), such as Blackboard and Moodle, for managing courses and enhancing student learning. As useful as LMSs are, they are short on features that meet certain needs specific to computer science education. On the other hand, computer science educators have developed—and continue to develop—computer-based software tools that aid in management, teaching, and/or learning in computer science courses. In this report we provide an overview of current CS specific on-line learning resources and guidance on how one might best go about extending an LMS to include such tools and resources. We refer to an LMS that is extended specifically for computer science education as a Computing Augmented Learning Management

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The purpose of this thesis is to develop a toolkit to visualize bag calculations for teaching. We take full advantage of interaction techniques in Computer Science to achieve it, which could lead to a modern and impressive way for teaching. In this thesis, the developed toolkit is going to show the bag calculations and corresponding animations interactively and aesthetically which make new learners