There have been many studies that have come out with mixed outcomes on how useful algorithm animations are in teaching.
Seven factors to consider in studying pedagogical effects of algorithm animations: animation system usability, animation system availability, training on use of the animation system, algorithm complexity, animation quality, how/where/when the animation is used, and individual differences among learners.
One of the most important things to consider about algorithm animation is that algorithms are abstract, without any real-world phenomena to be tied to. Unlike many other things that have been taught through animation, for algorithms, it makes abstract concepts concrete, while allowing for evolution over time.
The study supported the hypothesis that the addition of animation encourages learners to make and test predictions, which have distinguishable effects on post-test performance.
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