A Visual and Interactive Approach to the Foundations of Computer Science

9354791 Rodger 理论概念为计算机科学提供了基本的基础，但由于目前教授这些概念的铅笔和纸张环境，许多本科生对这些概念只有肤浅的理解。 我们的主要目标是提供一个环境，以更有效，可视化和交互式的方式呈现和交流抽象的计算机科学概念。 我们计划重新设计伦斯勒理工学院的二年级形式语言和自动机理论课程，以使用我们已经开发并将继续开发的交互式和可视化软件工具。 这些工具允许学生用形式语言和自动机来实验概念，并获得即时反馈。 我们将以两种方式评估这些工具的使用情况：以讲座形式进行计算机演示，以及以讲座/实验室形式进行。 待开发的材料包括演讲稿和实验室演示文稿格式、问题集和软件工具。 这些材料将通过计算机科学教育会议、期刊和因特网上的新闻组传播。 此外，第二年将举办为期一天的讲习班，以评估和传播我们的方法和工具。 ***

9354791 Rodger Theoretical concepts provide the fundamental basis for computer science, yet many undergraduates obtain a superficial understanding of these concepts due to the pencil and paper environment in which these concepts are currently taught. Our main objective is to provide an environment for presenting and communicating abstract computer science concepts in a more efficient, visual and interactive manner. We plan to redesign the sophomore formal languages and automata theory course at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to use interactive and visual software tools we have developed and will continue to develop. These tools allow students to experiment with concepts in formal languages and automata, receiving immediate feedback. We will evaluate the usage of these tools in two ways: in a lecture format with computer demonstrations, and in a lecture/lab format. The material to be developed includes manuscripts for the lecture and lab presentation formats, problem sets, and software tools. This material will be disseminated through computer science education conferences, journals, and newsgroups on the Internet. In addition, a one day workshop will be held during the second year for evaluation and dissemination of our methods and tools. ***