| Project | Animation-Aided Problem Solving |
| Contact | Erkki Sutinen |
| Erkki.Sutinen@cs.Helsinki.FI | |
| URL | http://www.cs.Helsinki.FI/research/aaps |
| Project description | Animation is a standard technique in computer-aided instruction. The project aims at applying the methods of algorithm animation in problem solving. The idea is based on the internal similarity of algorithm design and problem solving. Traditionally animations were coded by hand demanding much time. We have developed two systems for fast generation of animations for algorithms. Eliot works on Linux workstations and Jeliot runs on the World-Wide Web. Although Eliot and Jeliot generate animations automatically from the algorithm given by the user, they allow the user to fine-tune the visual appearance of the animation by hand. Combining the automation of algorithm animation to the user's opportunity to define a personalized visualization is one of the key factors of the applicability of the approach. Besides generation of algorithm animations we have studied how to prepare animations of simple algorithms with Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program. We are also developing ways to use Excel animations in problem solving. This approach is important because of the wide availability of Excel. In addition to animation we are making tools for creating and and managing concept maps in education and problem solving. |
| Theoretical background | From the computer science point of view, our methods apply compling and visualization techniques. In order to automatically generate an animation, the approach utilizes visual semantics of the language. This scheme is applicable also to other problems, like visualizing the process of building a concept map. From educational perspective, we aim at building open learning environments where a learner can actively construct a visual model, like algorithm animation or concept map, of the phenomenon he/she is studying, so that the visual model fits to the mental model he/she has of the topic. |
| Challenges | We are considering how to make our scheme more general in order to support other problem solving methods than designing an algorithm to a computational problem or illustrating a new topic with a concept map. We are also developing the Jeliot environment further to support a large selection of data structures. We are also investigating the impact of our tools, concentrating on new educational applications they can be used for. We are also interested in the evaluation methods as general, especially in how to promote the formative evaluation process. |
| Partnership | Our topics lie in the borderland of computer science and education, and the research is carried out as a joint project between the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Teacher Education, University of Helsinki. We are enthusiastic to discuss potential cooperation with experts in computer graphics, human problem solving, or evaluation methods. |