Realizing the Promise of Visualization in the Theory of Computing

Cogliati, Goosey, Grinder, Pascoe, Ross, Williams, 2005

Notes

To be effective and widely used, visualization systems must be designed for active learning, and must become an integrated part of a larger, comprehensive educational resource.

Versions of Active Learning Models: Passive learning example (for the first encounter with a topic to avoid confusion, ie. click a step button to observe the series of state transitions), Active learning example (basic interaction with a premade model, such as providing input strings to a FA), Active learning exercise (more advanced interaction with the topics, such as modifying or creating from scratch a FA), Authoring (provides for instructors/authors to eaily construct passive/active learning examples and active learning exercises), and standalone application (each model should be available as a stand-alone application for use in independent projects/exploration).

As active learning models/tool applets can be useful on their own, they do not seem widely used in the classroom. The creation of a comprehensive teaching/learning resource that seamlessly integrates them along with standard text presentations, slideshow tools, and videos would be very important (which is what this hypertextbook aims to do).

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