Logo
ScienceStack
Table of Contents
Fetching ...
Sign In

Tool-Assisted Learning of Computational Reductions

Tristan Kneisel, Elias Radtke, Marko Schmellenkamp, Fabian Vehlken, Thomas Zeume

TL;DR

This paper outlines a concept for how the learning of reductions can be supported by educational support systems, an implementation of the concept within such a system, concrete web-based and interactive learning material for reductions between graph-based problems, and reports on the experiences using the material in a large introductory course on theoretical computer science.

Abstract

Computational reductions are an important and powerful concept in computer science. However, they are difficult for many students to grasp. In this paper, we outline a concept for how the learning of reductions can be supported by educational support systems. We present an implementation of the concept within such a system, concrete web-based and interactive learning material for reductions, and report on our experiences using the material in a large introductory course on theoretical computer science.

Tool-Assisted Learning of Computational Reductions

TL;DR

This paper outlines a concept for how the learning of reductions can be supported by educational support systems, an implementation of the concept within such a system, concrete web-based and interactive learning material for reductions between graph-based problems, and reports on the experiences using the material in a large introductory course on theoretical computer science.

Abstract

Computational reductions are an important and powerful concept in computer science. However, they are difficult for many students to grasp. In this paper, we outline a concept for how the learning of reductions can be supported by educational support systems. We present an implementation of the concept within such a system, concrete web-based and interactive learning material for reductions, and report on our experiences using the material in a large introductory course on theoretical computer science.
Paper Structure (12 sections, 1 figure)

This paper contains 12 sections, 1 figure.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Exercises and Multi-step Exercises
  3. Computational Reductions in Iltis
  4. Use in the classroom
  5. Setting
  6. Material
  7. Experience Report
  8. Challenges for teaching reductions
  9. Experiences and Observations
  10. (a) Providing a sense of achievement
  11. (b) Usefulness for students
  12. Conclusion and Outlook

Figures (1)

  • Figure 1: Illustration of a multi-step exercise for constructing computational reductions between two problems. Some steps are illustrated by screenshots from the system. Parts of this illustration are adopted from SchmellenkampVZ24.