The magic of algorithm design and analysis: teaching algorithmic skills using magic card tricks
We describe our experience using magic card tricks to teach algorithmic skills to first-year Computer Science undergraduates. We illustrate our approach with a detailed discussion on a card trick that is typically presented as a test to the psychic abilities of an audience. We use the trick to discu...
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| Format: | conferencePaper |
| Language: | eng |
| Published: |
2014
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1822/37962 |
| Country: | Portugal |
| Oai: | oai:repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt:1822/37962 |
| Summary: | We describe our experience using magic card tricks to teach algorithmic skills to first-year Computer Science undergraduates. We illustrate our approach with a detailed discussion on a card trick that is typically presented as a test to the psychic abilities of an audience. We use the trick to discuss concepts like problem decomposition, pre- and post-conditions, and invariants. We discuss pedagogical issues and analyse feedback collected from students. The feedback has been very positive and encouraging. |
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