Evaluating animations as student aids in learning computer algorithms

• Published in: Computers and education Vol. 33; no. 4; pp. 253 - 278
• Main Authors: Byrne, Michael D., Catrambone, Richard, Stasko, John T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, N.Y Elsevier Ltd 01.12.1999; Pergamon Press
• Subjects: Applications in subject areas; Evaluation of CAL systems; Interactive learning environments; Media in education; Pedagogical issues; Evaluation of CAL systems; Interactive learning environments; Applications in subject areas; Media in education; Pedagogical issues

We conducted two experiments designed to examine whether animations of algorithms would help students learn the algorithms more effectively. Across the two studies we used two different algorithms — depth-first search and binomial heaps — and used two different subject populations — students with li...