An algorithm explanation agent for the SHALEX system

ABSTRACT

Studying and understanding algorithms is important for all computer scientists. Knowledge gained from these practices allows us to design and implement logically correct programs with considerations to runtime and memory constraints. For many students, learning algorithms in a traditional manner (i.e. using text-books) is challenging. We have developed an alternative approach to teaching algorithms called the Structured Hypermedia Algorithm Explanation (SHALEX) system, which uses hypermedia and represents algorithms as an abstract tree structure. Although SHALEX is a fully functioning teaching tool, currently it does not provide a way of receiving feedback on student's progress. To address this problem, this paper extends SHALEX with intelligent agent to monitor student progress, to provide the student with hints where necessary and to record the results of student interaction, all of which provide a means of quantifying the level of understanding the student has achieved.

REFERENCES

• 1: Curcio, F. and Schwartz, S. 1998. There are no algorithms for teaching algorithms. Teaching Children Mathematics. Reston: Sep 1998. Vol. 5, Iss. 1; pg. 26.
• 2: Brian Demmings , Elhadi Shakshuki , Tomasz Muldner, AETA: Algorithm Explanation Teaching Agent, Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Technology, p.616-621, April 02-04, 2007 [doi>10.1109/ITNG.2007.28]
• 3: eXist. Open Source Native XML Database. http://exist.sourceforge.net/, 2007.
• 4: Fok, A., Ip, H., An Agent Based Framework for Personalized Learning in Continuing Professional Development, International Journal of Distance Education Technologies, Vol. 4 No. 3 July-September 2006, pp. 48--61.
• 5: Müldner, T. and Shakshuki, E. 2006. Explaining Algorithms: A New Perspective. International Journal of Distance Education Technologies. Idea Group Inc., 4(3), 6--23.
• 6: Müldner, T., Shakshuki, E., Kerren, A., "Algorithm Education Using Structured Hypermedia", Strategic Applications of Distance Learning Technologies, Idea Group Inc., Chapter V, pp. 58--84, 2008.
• 7: Müldner, T., Shakshuki, E., Kerren, A., Shen, Z., Bai, X., Using Structured Hypermedia to Explain Algorithms, Proceedings of the 3^rd IADIS International Conference e-Society '05, Qawra, Malta, 2005, IADIS, pp. 499--503.
• 8: Scott Grissom , Myles F. McNally , Tom Naps, Algorithm visualization in CS education: comparing levels of student engagement, Proceedings of the 2003 ACM symposium on Software visualization, June 11-13, 2003, San Diego, California [doi>10.1145/774833.774846]
• 9: Julita Vassileva , Gordon Mccalla , Jim Greer, Multi-Agent Multi-User Modeling in I-Help, User Modeling and User-Adapted Interaction, v.13 n.1-2, p.179-210, February -May 2003 [doi>10.1023/A:1024072706526]

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.3 Language Constructs and Features
          Subjects: Abstract data types

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.3 Language Constructs and Features
          Subjects: Control structures; Recursion

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Languages, Performance

Keywords:
HCI, algorithm explanation, hypermedia, trees, visualization