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An evaluation of the effortless approach to build algorithm animations with WinHIPE
(Elsevier, 2007-07-04) Urquiza-Fuentes, Jaime; Velázquez-Iturbide, J. Ángel
The use of algorithm visualizations in computer science education is not a new thing. Although there is a firm belief that graphical representations of algorithms are learning aids, empirical studies show that what is important is what the students do with the animations rather than what they see in them. In this paper we compare to kinds of interaction: viewing animations vs constructing animations. We have conducted a controlled experiment where a group of students (n=15) had to study an algorithm and complete a knowledge test about it and a subjective opinion questionnaire. Students were randomly divided in constructing and viewing groups. Results have been measured by means of learning outcomes, efficiency issues and student's subjective opinion. Results significantly evidence that builders obtained better results than viewers.
An Approach to Effortless Construction of Program Animations
(Elsevier, 2008-01-01) Velázquez-Iturbide, J. Ángel; Pareja-Flores, Cristóbal; Urquiza-Fuentes, Jaime
Program animation systems have not been as widely adopted by computer science educators as we might expect from the firm belief that they can help in enhancing computer science education. One of the most notable obstacles to their adoption is the considerable effort that the production of program animations represents for the instructor. We present here an approach to reduce such a workload based on the automatic generation of visualizations and animations. The user may customize them in a user-friendly way to construct more expressive program animations. These operations are carried out by means of a user-friendly manipulation based on the metaphor of office documents. We have applied this approach to the functional paradigm by extending the WinHIPE programming environment. Finally, we report on the successful results of an evaluation performed to measure its ease of use.
Reorganización de las prácticas de compiladores para mejorar el aprendizaje de los estudiantes
(A.T.I. Asociación de Técnicos de Informática, 2011-06-30) Urquiza-Fuentes, Jaime; Almeida-Martínez, Francisco J.; Pérez-Carrasco, Antonio
La parte práctica de asignaturas como Compiladores o Procesadores de Lenguajes (las trataremos como la misma en el resto de la comunicación) suele ser bastante costosa, ya que requiere cierto grado de planificación y continuidad en el trabajo de los estudiantes y las herramientas utilizadas no tienen una conexión clara con los fundamentos teóricos. Nuestra propuesta estructura estas sesiones prácticas en tres tipos: las que se encargan de enlazar teoría y práctica, las que introducen a los estudiantes las herramientas de generación de compiladores y la final donde se desarrolla un compilador de cierta complejidad. Con este enfoque hemos mejorado el porcentaje de éxito en la parte práctica hasta un 86%.
A Survey of Successful Evaluations of Program Visualization and Algorithm Animation Systems
(ACM Press, 2009-06-02) Urquiza-Fuentes, Jaime; Velázquez-Iturbide, J. Ángel
This article reviews successful educational experiences in using program and algorithm visualizations (PAVs). First, we survey a total of 18 PAV systems that were subject to 33 evaluations. We found that half of the systems have only been tested for usability, them being shallow inspections. The rest have been evaluated with respect to their educational effectiveness. Script-based systems seem to be well suited for the viewing, responding and changing engagement levels, while compiler-based systems do for the construction and presenting engagement levels. Finally, we analyze additional PAV features of successful evaluations and hypothesize that they are relevant
Towards the Effective Use of Educational Program Animations: the Roles of Student's Engagement and Topic Complexity
(Elsevier ltd., 2013-09) Urquiza-Fuentes, Jaime; Velázquez-Iturbide, J.Ángel
Programming is one of the most complex subjects in computer science degrees. Program visualization is one of the approaches adopted to make programming concepts more accessible to students. In this work we study the educational impact of an active and highly engaging approach, namely the construction of program animations by students. We systematically compared this approach with two instructional scenarios, based on viewing animations and on the traditional instruction without systematic use of animations. A general conclusion of this work is that animations actually improve learning in terms of some educational aspects: short-term and long-term knowledge acquisition, and drop-out rates. Short-term improvements depend on the complexity level of the topic: while there is no impact for simple topics, there is a learning improvement in complex topics using the viewing and constructing approaches, and there is a learning improvement for highly complex topics using the viewing approach. In the long-term, drop-out rates were significantly decreased for students involved in the two most engaging approaches. In addition, both animation viewing and animation construction improved students¿ passing-rate in the term exam. Nevertheless, we were unable to prove in the long term that students involved in construction tasks yielded higher grades than those involved in viewing tasks.
Visualization of Syntax Trees for Language Processing Courses
(Graz University of Technology & University Malaysia Sarawak, 2009-04) Almeida Martínez, Francisco J.; Urquiza Fuentes, Jaime; Velázquez Iturbide, J. Ángel
This article describes the educational tool VAST. We designed VAST to be used in compiler and language processing courses. The current version allows generating and visualizing syntax trees and their construction process. The main advantages of VAST follow: it is designed to be as independent from the parser generator as possible, it allows students to visualize the behavior of parsers they develop, and it has an interface designed to easily handle huge syntax trees. Finally, we describe two satisfactory preliminary evaluations from the usability and educational points of view.
WinHIPE: An IDE for Functional Programming Based on Rewriting and Visualization
(ACM Press, 2007-03-01) Pareja-Flores, Cristóbal; Urquiza-Fuentes, Jaime; Velázquez-Iturbide, J. Ángel
The article describes an IDE for functional programming, called WinHIPE. It provides an interactive and flexible tracer, as well as a powerful visualization and animation system. The former tool is based on the rewriting model of evaluation, and the latter provides automatic generation of visualizations and animations, friendly support for customization, maintenance and exportation of animations to the Web, and facilities to cope with large scale. Its main advantage over other visualization systems is an effortless approach to animation creation and maintenance, based on generating visualizations and animations automatically, as a side effect of program execution. Finally, we briefly describe our experience using the system during several years in educational settings.

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Examinando Artículos de Revista por Materia "1203.23 Lenguajes de Programación"