Abstract—Computer science education community has long
been searching for effective and feasible visualization solutions
to facilitate teaching and learning of data structures and
algorithms (DSAs). This paper presents a novel and practical
approach that involves first creating generator programs to
exploit the rich presentation features, the standardized format
and powerful auto API of Microsoft PowerPoint (MS-PPT).
These generators can then be used to automatically and
systematically create DSAs teaching slides consisting of
nontrivial, neat and consistent graphical illustrations. The
approach has been prototyped and experimented at a small
scale. The preliminary results of using the approach are
promising. The advantages and challenges of the approach are
discussed and the current status of the project building upon the
approach is reported.
Index Terms—Data structures, algorithms, visualization,
auto generation, computer application, education reform and
innovation, curricula and courseware design.
Sen Zhang is with the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and
Statistics, SUNY College at Oneonta, Oneonta, NY, U.S.A. 13820 (e-mail:
zhangs@Oneonta.edu).
Cite: Sen Zhang, "An Auto-Generation Approach to Create Visualization Teaching Materials for Data Structures and Algorithms in MS-PPT Format," International Journal of Information and Education Technology vol. 5, no. 9, pp. 714-718, 2015.