CSC 173 (24 Spring)

The workshop for CSC 173: Data Structures and Algorithms is designed to reinforce concepts learned in the past week and facilitate peer-to-peer communication, creating a supportive community that extends beyond this course throughout students’ entire CS journey at the University of Rochester. We cover various data structures, including PDT, basic arrays, linked lists, and more complex structures such as different types of trees, graphs, and hash tables. Algorithms are another focus, including sorting, graph and tree traversal, DFS/BFS, RSA, and more. We also discuss applying this knowledge to real-life applications, such as building databases and creating custom structures.

Check out my workshop teaching meterials

My focus in this course is to present concepts clearly so students can understand them easily without needing to memorize. For example, quicksort might confuse students regarding why it is preferred over merge sort, its Big O notation, and how to choose the pivot element. Instead of rote memorization, I use audio and visual aids with online tools to ensure students grasp the concepts thoroughly and can confidently apply them in exams.

Another focus is student interaction. The workshop is designed to be different from lectures, allowing students to talk freely with each other and solve problems in pairs or small groups. Rather than traditional teaching, we ask students questions and let them research and explain to each other before providing solutions. Through these workshops, I have learned to ask valuable questions and keep students engaged. Additionally, I conducted an experiment on the effectiveness of short study breaks during the workshop, which provided a unique learning experience.