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14.4 FINAL CONCLUSION 161 14.2 Research in the AlgoRythmics environment In this book, we especially focused on the research we had performed in the AlgoRythmics environment. Findings of the studies detailed in chapters 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 12 (Studies 1-8) were published in reputable journals and conference proceedings such as: Computers & Education, Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, Teaching and Teacher Education, Educational Technology Research and Development, Computer Applications in Engineering Education, Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE), and Frontiers in Education (FIE). The studies presented in Chapter 13 (Studies 9-12) are submitted for publication. 14.3 Plans for the near future We have ambitious plans for the future. We are especially interested in the following research questions: — Which order of learning steps appears to be the most effective? — Which is the best AlgoRythmics recipe for non-CS students or in the case of children? With respect to the learning environment, we are planning to design: — parallel versions of quick and merge sort dances, — visualizations that allow users to replace one of the dancers (by creating an avatar with Kinect sensor). 14.4 Final conclusion The algorithmic dance choreography collection is still the core of the AlgoRythmics environment. During the whole project, we were determined to enrich the meaning of algorithm with algo-rhythm. The resulted science—art combinations were incorporated into a flexible web application, the content of which can be dynamically changed and the level of user interaction managed as well. From the perspective of the teaching-learning process, the most important features of the environment are its unified, artistically enhanced, human-movement-effect-enriched, multisensory, and interactive character. In addition, the generated log files are valuable sources for educational research. Due to AlgoRythmics, the association of dance, rhythm, and algorithm are not strange anymore. We believe we have managed to break down the stereotypes proclaiming that learning is boring. Moderate-progressive challenge plus genuine active involvement together with a little bit of art can transform learning into an exciting experience. As a famous quote states: with AlgoRythmics, we are bold and italic but never regular.
