1

Application of AHyCo e-learning system in course Algorithms and Data Structures

Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing

University of Zagreb Croatia

Margareta KlinčićŽeljan JuretićDamir KalpićIvica Botički

Presentation contents

Introduction

Adaptive hypermedia & AHyCo

Algorithms and Data Structures course materials in AHyCo

Knowledge assessment with AHyCo

Conclusion and further work

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 2

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

E-learning with hypermedia and adaptive hypermedia

Hypermedia paradigm

Adaptive hypermedia

Use of various multimedia elements (graphics, sound, animations, video)

Activity in learning – students choose their own pace of learning

Collaboration and cooperation with teachers

Entices distance learning

Outcome: greater motivation towards learning

Deals with the available user information (knowledge, affinities, experience etc.)

Courseware adapts to its consumer

Outcome: improved learning

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 3

AHyCo

Adaptive Hypermedia Courseware

Main features:

Based on hypermedia (WWW)

Domain model – describes the structure of the domain’s knowledge space

User model – stores user information (knowledge)

Adaptivity model – helps in adapting parts of the system based on the information in the user model

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 4

Adaptivity model

User model

Domain model

Hypermedia component

and GUI

AHyCo – domain model

Describes the structure of the learning contents – WHAT is to be learnt

Two-level structure:

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008

5

Elementary knowledge concepts grouped in modulesModules grouped in courses

1.

2.

C0 C2

C1

C3

T1

C4

C5

T2

M1C0

C1

C2

T1

M4

C0

C1

C2

T1 C3T2

M2

C0 C2

T1

C1

C4

C3

T2

M3

Algorithms and Data Structures @ FER

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 6

• Second semester at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb, Croatia

• 745 students of computing and electrical engineering (summer semester 2007/08)

• Blended approach: face-to-face (mainly) & technology supported

• The lack of digital course materials

Algorithms and Data Structures course materials in AHyCo

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 7

- Assistance in autonomous learning and exam preparation

- Materials cover official course contents (“Algorithms and Data Structures” @FER)

- Divided into 3 modules - each consists of smaller units - each covers one semester cycle

1st cycle course materials organization

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 8

Begin ASP – I cycle ASP – III cycleASP – II cycle

Begin

Pseudorandom numbers

Recursion

Pointers

Files

Introduction

Call by reference

Dynamic memory

allocation

Hashing

1st cycle assessment

Algorithm complexity

analysis

1st cycle assessment

key

2nd cycle course materials organization

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 9

Begin ASP – I cycle ASP – III cycleASP – II cycle

Insertion Sort

Merge Sort

Bubble Sort

Selection Sort

Begin 2nd cycle assessment

2nd cycle assessment

key

Quick Sort - median

Stack implemented by static array

Quick Sort – first element

Shell Sort

3rd cycle course materials organization

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 10

Begin ASP – I cycle ASP – III cycleASP – II cycle

Object oriented

programming

Binary tree

Singly-linked list

Queue implemented

by circular array

Begin

Stack implemented by linked list

Stack - object oriented

implementation

Queue implemented by singly-linked list

3rd cycle assessment

Heap and Heap Sort

3rd cycle assessment

key

Advanced object oriented programming

Doubly-linked list Queue implemented by doubly-linked list

A concept (unit) in AHyCo

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 11

Brief theoretical introduction

Programming exercises explained in detail

1.

2.

Navigation system based on adaptive hypermedia

3.

Programming exercises

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 12

Knowledge assessment

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 13

Content access statistics (1st cycle)

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 14

Call by referencePointers

Call by reference1st cycle assessment

HashingFiles

Dynamic memory allocationAlgorithm complexity analysis

Pseudorandom numbers1st cycle assessment key

Recursion

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Number of students (out of 745)

Content access statistics (2nd cycle)

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 15

Selection Sort

Bubble Sort

Quick Sort - median

Insertion Sort

Merge Sort

Shell Sort

Quick Sort - first element

Stack implemented by static array

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

Number of students (out of 745)

Content access statistics (3rd cycle)

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 16

Queue implemented by circular arrayObject oriented programming

Binary treeSingly-linked list

Heap and Heap SortStack implemented by linked list

Doubly-linked list Advanced object oriented programmingQueue implemented by singly-linked listStack - object oriented implementation

Queue implemented by doubly-linked list

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500

Number of students (out of 745)

Conclusion and further work

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 17

• Some students didn’t prefer AHyCo system (a PDF version of materials turned up)

• Students generally thought materials were useful and used them regulary

• Revisions were required during the course delivery and some were contributed by students

• Towards the end of semester student interest in the materials weakened

• Concept reorganization and assessments need more work

Application of AHyCo e-learning system in course Algorithms and Data Structures

Thank you for Your attention!

8th Workshop – “Software Engineering Education and Reverse Engineering, Durres, 2008 18