Adding procedures and pointers to the ALVIS algorithm visualization software: a preliminary design

Authors:
Christopher D. Hundhausen;Jonathan L. Brown;Sean Farley
Affiliations:
Washington State University, Pullman, WA;Washington State University, Pullman, WA;Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Venue:
SoftVis '06 Proceedings of the 2006 ACM symposium on Software visualization
Year:
2006

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Abstract

Since the late 1990s, we have been developing ALVIS, a new breed of algorithm visualization software that supports a novel, "studio based" approach to teaching introductory programming. In this approach, students, working in pairs, use the ALVIS software to construct their own algorithmic solutions to appropriate algorithm design problems. ALVIS automatically generates accompanying algorithm visualizations, which students can augment with their own visual and storytelling elements prior to presenting them to their peers and instructor for feedback and discussion. We believe the pedagogical value of this approach rests in students' active engagement in constructing and subsequently discussing their algorithmic solutions. Previous versions of the ALVIS software have enabled students to create only single-procedure, array iterative algorithms. We describe here our preliminary work toward expanding ALVIS so that it supports parameterized procedures and pointers. Our ultimate aim is to explore the pedagogical value of using ALVIS as the basis of an entire "studio based" introductory programming course for students without prior programming experience.