Two visualizations for two types of recursive questions were developed. For the maze-type questions, the visualization is the maze levels itself where the player must traverse the maze and light up all blocks with a recursive solution in order to reach the next level.
For the mathematical-type questions, the visualization takes in the recursive solution and shows the player mixing the mathematical equation together as coded in the recursive solution. Once the solution is ready, it is given to a cannon which shoots the distance equivalent to the answer of the chemical solution.
These visualizations aim to add a gamified context to the learning experience.
Software engineer a game to aid in the teaching of recursion through visualizations.
Two main objectives:
These visualizations are an alternative form of output and help view the process of recursion in a different light by visually showing the abstractions.
7 Unique Maze Level Questions:
20 first-year Computer Science students user tested and evaluated our game.
80% of the students found the visualizations aesthetically pleasing, interesting and appealing. The rest of the students (20%) wanted more context to be able to follow and understand the animations.
75% of the students agreed that the visualizations were done well. The rest of the students (25%) had comments on specific parts of the visualizations that could be done better. These comments were all related to improving the game in terms of animations, background and labels.
The two visualizations that were developed with maze and mathematical-type questions achieved both the visibility and usability objectives.