Visual and Interactive Tools Incorporated into the Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science

数学基础是计算机科学的基础，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的理解很肤浅。这项提议的主要目标是提供一个环境，以便以更有效、更直观和更互动的方式介绍和交流抽象的计算机科学概念。学生在二年级或三年级早期理解这些材料是至关重要的，因为他们将继续在编程语言、算法和编译器的课程中以这些材料为基础。在过去的五年里，PI一直在设计和开发交互和可视化软件工具(FELP)。LLparse，LRparse)，它允许学生用形式语言和自动机来试验概念，并接收即时反馈。PI目前正在课堂上以互动讲课的形式使用这些工具，投影仪显示计算机屏幕。在这种授课方式中，我们在课堂上利用学生的输入解决问题，并通过展示答案来回答问题。PI计划继续将这门课的形式从讲课转变为全实验室(无讲课)的形式，以提供最大限度的互动。每节实验课将介绍一个概念，并让学生有时间思考和实验这个概念。要开发的材料包括讲课和实验演示文稿格式的手稿、习题集和软件工具。这份材料将通过计算机科学教育会议和期刊，以及互联网上的新闻小组和网页进行传播。

Mathematical foundations provide the 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. The main objective of this proposal is to provide an environment for presenting and communicating abstract computer science concepts in a more efficient, visual and interactive manner. It is crucial that students understand this material early on, at the sophomore or junior level, as they will continue to build on this material in courses on programming languages, algorithms, and compilers. For the past five years, the PI has been designing and developing interactive and visual software tools (FLAP. LLparse, LRparse) that allow students to experiment with concepts in formal languages and automata, receiving immediate feedback. The PI is currently using these tools in the classroom in an interactive lecture format with a projector displaying the computer screen. In this lecture style we solve problems during class on the computer with input from students, and answer questions by showing the answer. The PI plans to continue to shift the format of this class away from lectures to an all lab (no lecture) format to provide the maximum interaction. Each lab period will introduce a concept and give students time to think and experiment with this concept. 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 and journals, and news groups and web pages on the Internet.