Luke Jennings

Abstract:

Map-based Educational Tools for Algorithm Learning (METAL) is an ongoing project that aims to help student learn algorithms more effectively with Algorithm Visualizations (AVs). This AV system allows a student to interact with one of several algorithms in action on highway data, following changes in key variables and data structures with corresponding color-coded changes to the vertices and edges on the map. By running on data of various sizes and simulating at various speeds, a student can gain a deeper understanding of a particular algorithm more quickly.Our Summer 2022 work on METAL focused adding a wide variety of long awaited graph algorithm visualizations, notably: Traveling Salesperson, Graph Coloring, and Bridge Detection. Added new AV type in the form of partitioning algorithms to be used in future parallel programming courses.