The easiest way to get started is to load up the algorithm
visualizations in
METAL's Highway Data
Examiner (HDX). The user interface guides you through the steps
to load a data set, select an algorithm and its parameters, and
interact with the visualization. Be sure to check out
the
HDX Tips page for information about all
of the features of HDX.
Instructors can enhance their courses by introducing METAL with very
little up-front effort. There is nothing to install or complex
system to learn; just point your browser, load up a graph, and watch
it go. The next step is to get students working with METAL's graph
data. The graphs themselves can be visualized in HDX as can the
results of many programs, by writing output files in one of
the
file
formats supported by HDX. Some previous assignments used by the
author are linked here:
Some of these and others have been packaged as easily-adoptable
learning modules. The learning modules and other classroom-tested
assignments, including support materials and sample solutions, are
available to instructors from
the
author on request for academic use.
The pre-processing and plotting
scripts,
graph data, the
Highway Data Examiner, and solutions to assignments, are freely
available. Those interested in the code for HDX can find it in
a
public
repository.
Not in one of my classes but this sounds like fun? Tell your
instructors about this project! But whether or not your instructor is
using METAL, you can use its algorithm visualization capabilities to
help you learn about the algorithms you are studying. METAL's
engaging, interactive algorithm visualizations can help you learn the
algorithms more quickly and to gain a deeper understanding of how and
why they work.
To view data or to perform algorithm visualizations, launch
HDX by visiting its URL:
Map-based Educational Tools for Algorithm Learning (METAL)