Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Multiple Representation For Understanding Data Structures, Biffah Hancies, Venky Shankararaman, Jose Munoz

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this paper an approach to enhance the learning of abstract computing concepts by novice students is presented. This approach is based on effective use of multiple visual representations, and it was applied within the domain of linear data structures: array, stack, queue and linked list. A prototype computer-based instructional system called MRUDS (Multiple Representation for Understanding Data Structures) was developed and evaluated. It was found from the evaluation that the three presentation modules namely, analogy, representation and algorithm contributed to the students' learning process, each contributing to and reinforcing the effect of the others.