Facilitating algorithm visualization creation and adoption in education

The research question of this thesis is: How can we develop algorithm animations (AA) and AA systems further to better facilitate the creation and adoption of AA in education? The motivation for tackling this issue is that algorithm animation has not been widely used in teaching computer science. One of the main reasons for not taking full advantage of AA in teaching is the lack of time on behalf of the instructors. Furthermore, there is a shortage of ready-made, good quality algorithm visualizations. The main contributions are as follows: Effortless Creation of Algorithm Animation. We define a Taxonomy of Effortless Creation of Algorithm Animations. In addition, we introduce a new approach for teachers to create animations by allowing effortless on-the-fly creation of algorithm animations by applying visual algorithm simulation through a simple user interface. Proposed Standard for Algorithm Animation language. We define a Taxonomy of Algorithm Animation Languages to help comparing the different AA languages. The taxonomy and work by an international working group is used to define a new algorithm animation language, eXtensible Algorithm Animation Language, XAAL. Applications of XAAL in education. We provide two different processing approaches for using and producing XAAL animations with existing algorithm animation systems. In addition, we have a framework aiding in this integration as well as prototype implementations of the processes. Furthermore, we provide a novel solution to the problem of seamlessly integrating algorithm animations with hypertext. In our approach, the algorithm animation viewer is implemented purely with JavaScript and HTML. Finally, we introduce a processing model to easily produce lecture slides for a common presentation tool of XAAL animations

Efficient Use of Teaching Technologies with Programming Education

Learning and teaching programming are challenging tasks that can be facilitated by using different teaching technologies. Visualization systems are software systems that can be used to help students in forming proper mental models of executed program code. They provide different visual and textual cues that help student in abstracting the meaning of a program code or an algorithm. Students also need to constantly practice the skill of programming by implementing programming assignments. These can be automatically assessed by other computer programs but parts of the evaluation need to be assessed manually by teachers or teaching assistants.There are a lot of existing tools that provide partial solutions to the practical problems of programming courses: visualizing program code, assessing student programming submissions automatically or rubrics that help keeping manual assessment consistent. Taking these tools into use is not straightforward. To succeed, the teacher needs to find the suitable tools and properly integrate them into the course infrastructure supporting the whole learning process. As many programming courses are mass courses, it is a constant struggle between providing sufficient personal guidance and feedback while retaining a reasonable workload for the teacher.This work answers to the question "How can the teaching of programming be effectively assisted using teaching technologies?" As a solution, different learning taxonomies are presented from Computer Science perspective and applied to visualization examples so the examples could be used to better support deeper knowledge and the whole learning process within a programming course. Then, different parts of the assessment process of programming assignments are studied to find the best practices in supporting the process, especially when multiple graders are being used, to maintain objectivity, consistency and reasonable workload in the grading.The results of the work show that teaching technologies can be a valuable aid for the teacher to support the learning process of the students and to help in the practical organization of the course without hindering the learning results or personalized feedback the students receive from their assignments. This thesis presents new visualization categories that allow deeper cognitive development and examples on how to integrate them efficiently into the course infrastructure. This thesis also presents a survey of computer-assisted assessment tools and assessable features for teachers to use in their programming assignments. Finally, the concept of rubric-based assessment tools is introduced to facilitate the manual assessment part of programming assignments

Разработка элементов электронного курса «Методы расчёта устойчивости энергосистем»

Целью работы являлась разработка элементов электронного курса “Методы расчета устойчивости энергосистем” в системе управления обучением LMS MOODLE. В процессе исследования проводился анализ задачи расчёта устойчивости энергосистем, были разработаны элементы электронного курса “Методы расчета устойчивости энергосистем” и лабораторно-методическое обеспечение: лабораторные работы №2 “Построение предельных и допустимых по статической устойчивости областей режимов работы энергосистем” и №3 “Определение динамической устойчивости многомашинной энергосистемы”, а также тестовые примеры их выполнения. В результате исследования разработаны элементы электронного курса, а также создано лабораторно-методическое обеспечение к курсу в виде двух лабораторных работ и тестовых примеров к ним.Goal of research is to develop elements of e-course "Methods for calculating stability of power" in the learning management system LMS MOODLE. During research was analyzed the problem of calculating the stability of power systems, developed elements of electronic course "Methods for calculating the stability of power systems", and laboratory and methodological support: laboratory work №2"Plotting of steady-state stability area" and №3 "Determination of transient stability of multi-machine power system ", as well as test cases for their implementation. During research was developed elements of an electronic course, and laboratory support of the course, such as two lab works and test cases to them

First Steps Towards a Visualization-Based Computer Science Hypertextbook as a Moodle Module

AbstractHypertextbooks for Computer Science contents present an interesting approach to better support learners and integrate algorithm animations into the learning materials. We have developed a prototype for integrating a selection of the functionality of such a hypertextbook into the established Moodle LMS. This paper describes the goals and realization of this module together with an example

Информационные технологии в науке, управлении, социальной сфере и медицине. Ч. 1

В сборнике представлен широкий круг исследований учёных, преподавателей, аспирантов, студентов и молодых учёных Томска и ряда других городов России. Сборник посвящён теоретическим и практическим аспектам разработки и применения современных информационных технологий. Особое внимание уделено вопросам математического моделирования и применения информационных технологий в различных предметных областя

Информационные технологии в науке, управлении, социальной сфере и медицине. Ч. 1

В сборнике представлен широкий круг исследований учёных, преподавателей, аспирантов, студентов и молодых учёных Томска и ряда других городов России. Сборник посвящён теоретическим и практическим аспектам разработки и применения современных информационных технологий. Особое внимание уделено вопросам математического моделирования и применения информационных технологий в различных предметных областя