Survey about creating algorithm visualizations

The purpose of this survey is to identify different use cases where algorithm visualization (AV) is used in an educational context from the instructor's point of view. This survey fulfills the work performed by the ITICSE'02 working group on "Improving the Educational Impact of Algorithm Visualization" and the ITICSE'03 working group on "Evaluating the Educational Impact on Visualization". In the former working group, a survey about how AV tools are used was completed. However, that survey did not dig into such details of the use cases of AV tools, as will be carried out by this survey.

We hope to explore the instructors' needs within various use cases and in AV production in general. Here "Algorithm visualization (or animation) is understood as the visualization of a high-level description of a piece of software (Price)." The results of this survey will be presented at the Third Program Visualization Workshop (PVW), in Warwick, UK, 2004 by Karavirta, Korhonen and Tenhunen from Helsinki University of Technology. Moreover, a definition for effortless creation of AV could be formed in the future based on this survey. We would appreciate, if you would fill in this questionnaire. It will take approximately 30-45 minutes. The survey contains two pages. Thank you for your help.

About you as an instructor

This survey is for statistical purposes only, and will not be analyzed with respect to individuals or institutions. However, we would like you to specify at least your country and teaching experience, but you may also provide the name of your institution and/or email address if you wish.

Country:
Email (optional):
Institution (optional):
Teaching experience (in years):
Subjects taught:
Course levels: 1st year
2nd year
3rd year
4th year
5th year or later
Select as many as corresponds to your typical courses

AV systems and use cases

This section explores your relation to AV systems, the use cases where you might have a need for AV and the features of AV tools that could be used to fill that need.

Have you previously used any algorithm visualizations in your teaching?

Have you used algorithm visualization tools or systems to create algorithm visualizations?

If yes, was the tool (pick the most suitable choices)

developed by yourself only
developed by you reusing existing tools/libraries
developed/composed by a team (including you) in your institution
developed/composed by another team (not including you) in your institution
non-commercial software and/or open-source or developed by researchers at other universities or institutions
commercial software
other (please, specify)

Describe in detail some use cases where you as an instructor would create and use AV in your teaching. (Please, do not describe any system but the teaching task where you could benefit from AV):

Describe an actual tool (or tools) you might have already used. What are the pros and cons of the tool in your use cases? Please, state also if you have been involved in implementing the system.

Describe an ideal tool that could be used to complete your use case: