Abstract

Software visualization and algorithm animation are topics of growing interest in computer science education. We propose a new interface to support the interaction between learners and the dynamic data structure of standard algorithms. Based on their source code users generate and configure so-called concept keyboards to explore the data structures and to execute the methods of the algorithms. This access is in contrast with a simple step interface which allows visualization of the steps of the algorithm in the right order. The results of the various evaluation phases are given. At this moment a larger study is being undertaken with undergraduates which focuses on the usability of the keyboard. Copyright © 2005 by the Association for Computing Machinery, Inc.