- Several staff in the
Department of Computer Science
at RMIT are investigating the use of web-based interactive algorithm
animations to help students understand state space search
methods used in artificial intelligence.
- The development of the AI-Search software was funded by a CUTSD grant to
Vic Ciesielski in 1996. The system was designed by
Vic Ciesielski,
Peter McDonald and
James Harland. The
programming was done by
Commercial Interactive Media
during 1997-1998.
- During 1997 a formative evaluation and prototyping process took place
that led to the refinement of the AI-Search product specification.
This product was then implemented in Java for deployment on the web
and as a stand-alone product during the later part of 1997.
- The finished AI-Search product was first used in a classroom situation
during Semester 1, 1998 in CS320 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence,
a core subject in several of the undergraduate degree courses offered
by the Department. Anecdotal feedback about the product is very positive.
- The final stage of this project is due for completion by the end of
Semester 1, 1999. This will consist of web-based courseware to accompany
the AI-Search product so that the wider internet community can benefit
from this work. (Future work may include creation of an Audio + Slide
presentation using the
AudioGraph recorder
and plug-ins).
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