Evaluation of an auto-generated data structures and algorithms visualization approach at tri-state colleges

This paper reports a collaborative research that evaluates the Microsoft PowerPoint (PPT) based visualization materials automatically generated by an innovative Computer Science educational research project. The approach of autogeneration of teaching materials has been designed to increase the accessibility to easy-to-use teaching slides and improve the engagement and the effectiveness of teaching and learning of Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA). The primary focus of the research project was to evaluate the approach through evaluating the effectiveness of the application of the auto-generated visualization materials in classroom settings. The results of this research suggest that the newly auto-generated materials did improve students´ performance. It is perceived that the tool is easy, portable and lightweight for students (regardless of their backgrounds), compared to other existing visualization tools.