Using a project based-learning method in each advanced data structures – priority queues

In this paper, we propose a new approach to teach advanced data structures - priority queues to junior and senior Information Technology (IT) students by applying the project-based learning method, a student-centered method which aims to create a learning environment in which students work individually to complete an open-ended project.
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Using a project based-learning method in each advanced data structures – priority queues JOURNAL OF SCIENCE OF HNUE FIT., 2013, Vol. 58, pp. 179-188 This paper is available online at http://stdb.hnue.edu.vn USING A PROJECT-BASED LEARNING METHOD IN EACH ADVANCED DATA STRUCTURES – PRIORITY QUEUES Doan Thi Thu Huyen Faculty of Information Technology, Hanoi National University of Education Email: huyendtt88@gmail.com Abstract. In this paper, we propose a new approach to teach advanced data structures - priority queues to junior and senior Information Technology (IT) students by applying the project-based learning method, a student-centered method which aims to create a learning environment in which students work individually to complete an open-ended project. To estimate how effectively project-based method works in IT education and show how the method works in a specific IT project, results are presented from a pedagogical experiment on group of 15 students studying IT at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Based on the results of this experiment, the project proved that this new approach in teaching advanced data structures to IT students was effective. Keywords: Project-based learning, advanced data structures, priority queues.1. Introduction Project-based learning (PBL) method, which consists of many ways to developa curriculum, allows for an active and constructive way to develop a central didacticprinciple that integrates several skills and competences through real work tasks andprocesses [1]. PBL is synonymous with learning in depth. A well-designed projectprovokes students to encounter central concepts and principles of a discipline. The use of projects in the university comprises several tasks that are usuallyperceived as separate units: to do research and transfer projects, to teach projectmanagement and dedicated subjects, to educate students to carry out research and dopractical work, and to achieve relevant results within student’s projects [1,4,3]. In computer science (CS) education and, more specifically, in the teaching of datastructures and algorithms, doing with each project, learners are forced to either modifyexisting concepts or develop new ones. This helps them practice their abstract thinkingand algorithm thinking through levels of abstraction in an algorithm concept. Jacob C. 179 Doan Thi Thu HuyenPerrenet [2] suggested that students study making use of 4 levels of abstraction: theexecution level, the program level, the object level and the problem level. They mustspecify a problem precisely, analyze given problems, determine the basic actions thatare adequate to the given problem, construct a correct algorithm to a given problem usingthe basic actions, think about all possible particulars and normal cases of a problem andto improve the efficiency of an algorithm. PBL has been used for multiple classrooms [9], groups [1,5] and individuals[10,11]. Universities and colleges in Vietnam have widely utilized PBL in many subjects.FPT Polytechnic designs a training program for each term include the PBL method, anda case-study for every subject. They provide flexible engagement models which ensurethat the program will meet the diverse needs and requirements of society. The methodis used at the Hanoi National University of Education, Hanoi University of Science andTechnology (HUST) and others, with some practical subjects for senior students. For our priority queue major, one of the interested abstract data types today, PBLapplied to individuals is a promising method since to become knowledgeable in thisfield demands a profound background and it is difficult to utilize conventional educationmethod, when the presentation of programming and code are impossible. In addition,abstraction, the ability to perform abstract thinking and to exhibit abstraction skills, oneof the fundamental principles of software engineering in order to master complexity, takesan important role in computer science education [11,12,13], especially in studying thesedata structures because the concept of queue only exists in real life, but computer. InCS curriculum, heap and binary heap, however, are only presented to approach priorityqueue data structures, whereas in many instances types of priority queue are used the mostpopular being that of Van Emde Boas, which is presented in many English materials andcourses around the world [7,8]. We assume that some skills, including abstract thinking (especially at the objectand the problem level), algorithm thinking, research skills and some soft-skills re ...