Shifting from "high fidelity" to "low fidelity" algorithm visualization technology

Authors:
Christopher Hundhausen;Sarah Douglas
Affiliations:
University of Hawai`i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI;University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Venue:
CHI '00 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Year:
2000

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Abstract

Traditional algorithm visualization software supports the creation of "high fidelity" visualizations, which depict the target algorithm for arbitrary input, and have the polished look of textbook figures. Drawing on the findings of ethnographic studies we conducted in an undergraduate algorithms course, we have developed SALSA/ALVIS, a markedly different kind of algorithm visualization software that enables students to construct and present their own "low fidelity" visualizations. Unlike "high fidelity" visualizations, "low fidelity" visualizations depict the target algorithm for a few, carefully-selected input data sets, and have an unpolished look. In addition, they can be viewed both forwards and backwards, and dynamically marked up and modified, making them well-suited for mediating student-instructor discussions about algorithms.