Integrating a simulation-visualisation environment in a basic distributed systems course
Boris Koldehofe, Marina Papatriantafilou, Philippas Tsigas · ACM SIGCSE Bulletin · 2003
Distributed algorithms can be difficult to understand as well as to teach. A way to provide students with an experience of the execution of a distributed algorithm is the use of a simulation-visualisation environment. In this work we present a case study of integrating a simulation-visualisation environment into a distributed system course. We evaluate a distributed system assignment in which students used LYDIAN, an extensible library for distributed algorithms and animations, to implement their algorithms. In our study neither the teachers nor the students had earlier class experience with LYDIAN. The feedback received gives valuable information on what simulation-visualisation environments for distributed algorithms need to provide in order to be successfully used in class. We are not aware of any similar study in the area of distributed computing. However, the feedback we have received shows the significance of such evaluations to help users improve their performance and help them to acknowledge the wealth of tools they are provided.