WORLDCOMP'08 Tutorial: Dr. Mingshen Wu

Teaching graph algorithms using Java online package IAPPGA Dr. Mingshen Wu Professor, Department of Math, Stat, & Computer Science University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin, USA Date: July 16, 2008 Time: 6:00 - 9:30 PM Location: Copper Room

Abstract



Teaching and learning graph algorithms is a great challenge to both instructors and students. Instructors are seeking software that is specifically designed to demonstrate the algorithms and for students to learn these algorithms efficiently. The software program should be readily available and provide an environment so that students are able to review the algorithm, solve a practical problem, and intuitively study the working process via a graphical display all together. This paper presents an Internet Accessible Program Package for Graph Algorithms (IAPPGA) developed by the author. This package can be accessed via an Internet browser at any time, anywhere without downloading or installing any software. This tutorial session will introduce this package. You will be hands on to practice this software, and will be able to teach graph algorithms using this package.



Objectives



• Understand the importance and applications of graph algorithms
• Review the main Java technologies used in IAPPGA, so that the audience may develop similar programs in the future
• Learn the structure and features of IAPPGA
• Hands on to practice IAPPGA, solving several practical problems
• Discuss teaching/learning graph algorithms using IAPPGA.

• Instructors who teach a course that is graph algorithms related such as graph theory, computer languages, data structures, or algorithm analysis. This package provides a useful tool to demonstrate the graph algorithm in classroom.
• Students who take a course that is graph algorithm related and students who are willing to self-study graph algorithms. You will be able to do it using this software.

Dr. Mingshen Wu earned Ph.D. in Discrete Mathematics, M.S. of Numerical Computations, and B.S. of mathematics. Dr. Wu is a professional Java programmer, and he has done many online programming for teaching and learning such as online program for matrix transformation, demo of eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and software for studying college math and calculus. Dr. Wu’s research interests are algorithms and complexity in numerical calculations & graph theory. Dr. Wu received UW-Stout and Wisconsin System’s Dahlgren Professorship Award, 2006 – 2008. This professorship is an award for excellent teaching and research. Mingshen’s publications are in numerical analysis, graph theory, and computer science. Dr. Wu has given presentations at different universities and conferences within and outside of the United States.