Increasing engagement in automata theory with JFLAP

  • Authors:

  • Susan H. Rodger;Eric Wiebe;Kyung Min Lee;Chris Morgan;Kareem Omar;Jonathan Su

  • Affiliations:

  • Duke University, Durham, NC, USA;NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA;Duke University, Durham, NC, USA;Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA, USA;NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA;Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 40th ACM technical symposium on Computer science education
  • Year:
  • 2009

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Abstract

We describe the results from a two-year study with fourteen universities on presenting formal languages in a more visual, interactive and applied manner using JFLAP. In our results the majority of students felt that having access to JFLAP made learning course concepts easier, made them feel more engaged in the course and made the course more enjoyable. We also describe changes and additions to JFLAP we have made based on feedback from users. These changes include new algorithms such as a CYK parser and a user-controlled parser, and new resources that include a JFLAP online tutorial, a wiki and a listserv.