This Article 
   
 Share 
   
 Bibliographic References 
   
 Add to: 
 
Digg
Furl
Spurl
Blink
Simpy
Google
Del.icio.us
Y!MyWeb
 
 Search 
   
JHAVÉ: Supporting Algorithm Visualization
September/October 2005 (vol. 25 no. 5)
pp. 49-55
ASCII Text
x 
 
Thomas L. Naps, "JHAVÉ: Supporting Algorithm Visualization," IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 49-55, September/October, 2005.
 
 
BibTex
x
 
@article{ 10.1109/MCG.2005.110,
author = {Thomas L. Naps},
title = {JHAVÉ: Supporting Algorithm Visualization},
journal ={IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications},
volume = {25},
number = {5},
issn = {0272-1716},
year = {2005},
pages = {49-55},
doi = {http://doi.ieeecomputersociety.org/10.1109/MCG.2005.110},
publisher = {IEEE Computer Society},
address = {Los Alamitos, CA, USA},
}
 
 
RefWorks Procite/RefMan/Endnote
x 
 
TY - MGZN
JO - IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications
TI - JHAVÉ: Supporting Algorithm Visualization
IS - 5
SN - 0272-1716
SP49
EP55
EPD - 49-55
A1 - Thomas L. Naps,
PY - 2005
KW - graphics
KW - algorithm visualization
KW - computer science education
KW - active learning
KW - active engagement
VL - 25
JA - IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications
ER -
 
Thomas L. Naps, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
Algorithm visualization (AV) uses computer graphics to depict an algorithm's actions. For computer science students, AV holds the promise of helping them understand algorithms more easily and in greater depth. However, after 15 years of intensive research in this area, that promise remains largely unfulfilled. This article argues that we now have a better understanding of what must be done to turn AV from being merely impressive graphics into an effective pedagogical tool for computer science educators. The article provides an overview of what has been learned from past effectiveness studies. This knowledge is then related to an engagement taxonomy defined in a recent working group report on AV effectiveness. The article then describes the JHAVÉ system, which fosters this type of active engagement by providing a set of standard support tools for certain types of AV systems.

1. M. Ben-Ari, "The Concorde Doesn't Fly Anymore," Proc. 36th SIGCSE Technical Symp. Computer Science Education, ACM Press, 2005, p. 196; .
2. M.H. Brown, Algorithm Animation, MIT Press, 1988.
3. L. Stern, H. Søndergaard, and L. Naish, "A Strategy for Managing Content Complexity in Algorithm Animation," Proc. 4th Ann. ACM SIGCSE/SIGCUE Conf. Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE), ACM Press, 1999, pp. 127-130.
4. J.B. Morrison, B. Tversky, and M. Betrancourt, "Animation: Can it Facilitate?" Int'l J. Human Computer Studies, vol. 57, 2003, pp. 247-262.
5. C.D. Hundhausen, "Toward Effective Algorithm Visualization Artifacts: Designing for Participation and Negotiation in an Undergraduate Algorithms Course," Proc. Computer-Human Interaction Conf., ACM Press, 1998, pp. 54-55.
6. C.D. Hundhausen, S.A. Douglas, and J.T. Stasko, "A Meta-Study of Algorithm Visualization Effectiveness," J. Visual Languages and Computing, vol. 13, no. 3, 2002, pp. 259-290.
7. S. Grissom, M. McNally, and T. Naps, "Visualization in CS Education: Comparing Levels of Student Engagement," Proc. ACM Symp. Software Visualization, ACM Press, 2003, pp. 87-94.
8. S. Grissom and T. Naps, "The Effective Use of Quicksort Visualizations in the Classroom," Proc. 9th Ann. Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges (CCSC) Midwest Conf., Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, 2002, pp. 88-96.
9. T.L. Naps et al., "Exploring the Role of Visualization and Engagement in Computer Science Education," ACM SIGCSE Bull., vol. 35, no. 2, 2003, pp. 131-152.
10. J. Lucas, T.L. Naps, and G. Rößling, "VisualGraph: A Graph Class Designed for Both Undergraduate Students and Educators," Proc. 34th SIGCSE Technical Symp. Computer Science Education, ACM Press, 2003, pp. 167-171.
11. G. Rößling, M. Schüler, and B. Freisleben, "The Animal Algorithm Animation Too," Proc. 5th Ann. ACM SIGCSE/SIGCUE Conf. Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE), ACM Press, 2000, pp. 37-40.
12. C.D. Hundhausen and S. Douglas, "SALSA and ALVIS: A Language and System for Constructing and Presenting Low Fidelity Algorithm Visualizations," Proc. IEEE Symp. Visual Languages, IEEE Press, 2000, pp. 67-68.
13. J. Stasko, "Using Student-Built Algorithm Animations as Learning Aids," Proc. 28th ACM SIGCSE Technical Symp. Computer Science Education, ACM Press, 1997, pp. 25-29.
14. T. Naps, J. Eagan, and L. Norton, "JHAVÉ: An Environment to Actively Engage Students in Web-Based Algorithm Visualizations," Proc. 31st ACM SIGCSE Technical Symp. Computer Science Education, ACM Press, 2000, pp. 109-113.
15. J. Stasko, "TANGO: A Framework and System for Algorithm Animation," Computer, vol. 23, no. 9, 1990, pp. 27-39.
16. T.L. Naps and E. Bressler, "A Multi-Windowed Environment for Simultaneous Visualization of Related Algorithms on the World Wide Web," Proc. 29th ACM SIGCSE Technical Symp. Computer Science Education, ACM Press, 1998, pp. 277-281.
17. D.J. Jarc, M.B. Feldman, and R.S. Heller, "Assessing the Benefits of Interactive Prediction Using Web-Based Algorithm Animation Courseware," Proc. 31st SIGCSE Technical Symp. Computer Science Education, ACM Press, 2000, pp. 377-381.
18. M.-J. Laakso et al., "Multi-Perspective Study of Novice Learners Adopting the Visual Algorithm Simulation Exercise System TRAKLA2," Informatics in Education, vol. 4, no. 1, 2005, pp. 49-68.
19. G. Rößling and T. Naps, Development of XML-Based Tools to Support User Interaction with Algorithm Visualizations; http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?doid=1047354http:/ /www.ahrgr.de/AVPortalWG2005 .

Index Terms:
graphics, algorithm visualization, computer science education, active learning, active engagement
Citation:
Thomas L. Naps, "JHAVÉ: Supporting Algorithm Visualization," IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 49-55, Sept.-Oct. 2005, doi:10.1109/MCG.2005.110
Usage of this product signifies your acceptance of the Terms of Use.