Constructive and collaborative learning of algorithms

Abstract

This research began by investigating the literature on student learning from algorithm animations and conducting experimental studies of an algorithm visualization system. The results led us to develop CAROUSEL (Collaborative Algorithm Representations Of Undergraduates for Self-Enhanced Learning), using which students created expository representations of algorithms, shared their representations with others, evaluated each other's representations and discussed them. The system and the activities of representation creation, sharing, evaluation and discussion that it supports were then studied in three experiments, which are summarized. They show a significant positive relationship between these constructive and collaborative activities and algorithm learning, which suggests that this is a beneficial pedagogical approach for introductory courses on algorithms.

On the Participatory Design of Jeliot Mobile: Towards a Socio-Constructivist Mlearning Tool

“…We hypothesize that it is important to build this tool in such fashion because the recent research suggests better learner experience when the assisting technology becomes mobile [25] and better programming learning when SV is accompanied with collaborations and communications [26]. The latter argument-and our stand-is also supported by the outcomes of PD workshops, where participants produce a large number of ideas relating to socioconstructivist category, which were not otherwise envisioned by the designers.…”

An evaluation of students’ motivation in computer-supported collaborative learning of programming concepts

“…Thus, the CAROUSEL system (Hübscher-Younger & Narayanan, 2003) was designed to support users in the tasks of sharing with the community, peer evaluation, and asynchronous discussion. Sometimes, these systems are the result of connecting several tools.…”

Groupwork activities in synchronous online classroom spaces

“…Since then, there has been numerous reported successes of CSCL, including the development of systems such as the CAROUSEL algorithm review and feedback platform [6] and the VorteX collaborative design system [8] to take advantage of the espoused benefits of collaborative processes. The use of Virtual Classrooms to facilitate synchronous online learning has also achieved educational outcomes beyond those possible in face-to-face contexts [3,4].…”