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<\/a><\/p>\nBinary Heaps<\/h2>\n
In the post-AP Advanced Topics class, we’ve just learned about binary heaps, a strategy for prioritizing items in what would otherwise be a standard First In-First Out queue. Here, optimized strategies for adding an item to the heap consist of placing it at the bottom and having it “percolate” up, while deleting an item from the top of the heap involves percolating down… and writing code to implement these strategies is hopeless without a solid qualitative understanding of the process.<\/p>\n
Bring out the office supplies. Small groups of students each create their own heap structure on large pieces of butcher paper, then go through the process of inserting a value and percolating, or deleting a value and percolating. Cries of “Wait, what<\/i> are we doing here?” intermixed with “Ohhhhhh! Now<\/i> I get it…!” A few minutes later, armed with a clearer understanding of the mechanics, they’re ready to turn to their keyboards.<\/p>\n So, yeah, I’m that<\/i> teacher now, the one with the butcher paper and the sharpies. <\/p>\n And I’ve got some post-its in the cupboard, too, but I’ve got to draw the line somewhere.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I try to encourage my students to keep a paper-based notebook for their work in my computer science courses. I think there’s a benefit to taking notes by hand (when appropriate), and there are handouts, worksheets, paper copies of problems that I have them do by hand, and printouts of project specifications. Most of this … Continue reading That Teacher with the Butcher Paper and Sharpies<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n