Sorting out sorting through concretization with robotics

Abstract

We describe a novel approach to algorithms concretization that extends the current mode of software visualization from computer screens to the real world. The method combines hands-on robotics and traditional algorithm visualization techniques to help diverse learners comprehend the basic idea of the given algorithm. From this point of view the robots interpret an algorithm while their internal program and external appearance determine the role they have in it. This gives us the possibility to bring algorithms into the real physical world where students can even touch the data structures during the execution. In the first version, we have concentrated on a few sorting algorithms as a proof-of-concept. Moreover, we have carried out an evaluation with 13-to-15-year-old students who used the concretization for gaining insight into one sorting algorithm. The preliminary results indicate that the tool can enhance learning. Now, our aim is to build an environment that supports both visualizations and robotics based concretizations of algorithms at the same time.