@TechReport{	  it:2004-023,
  author	= {Jarmo Rantakokko},
  title		= {Interactive Learning of Algorithms},
  institution	= {Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University},
  department	= {Division of Scientific Computing},
  year		= {2004},
  number	= {2004-023},
  month		= may,
  note		= {Accepted to \emph{Third Program Visualization Workshop}
		  (PVW'2004)},
  abstract	= {Visualization is believed to be an effective technique for
		  learning and understanding algorithms in traditional
		  computer science. In this paper, we focus on parallel
		  computing and algorithms. An inherent difficulty with
		  parallel programming is that it requires synchronization
		  and coordination of the concurrent activities. We want to
		  use visualization to help students to understand how the
		  processors work together in an algorithm and how they
		  interact through communication. To conceptualize this we
		  have used two different visualization techniques, computer
		  animations and role plays. As the students can see how the
		  processors run simultaneously in parallel, it illustrates
		  important concepts such as processor load balance,
		  serialization bottlenecks, synchronization and
		  communication. The results show that both animations and
		  role plays are better for learning and understanding
		  algorithms than the textbook.}
}