CRCD/EI: Adaptive Explanatory Visualization for Learning Programming

Source: National Science Foundation ( $220,000 )
PI: Peter Brusilovsky
Co-PI:  Michael Spring
Duration: 9/15/04 - 8/31/07

Abstract: Program visualization is considered one of the most powerful tools in Computer and Information Science education. However, even in the presence of a well-developed visualization the students often fail to understand what was happening inside a program or an algorithm. Adaptive exploratory visualization is a new technology that will enhance the power and the effectiveness of program visualization. In this project, the PIs propose to attempt a large-scale exploration of adaptive explanatory visualization as a technology to teach programming concepts. The project will investigate the value of this new technology for better understanding of programming concepts and the feasibility of implementing adaptive explanatory visualization for practical languages using modern approaches to student modeling and explanation generation.