M.S.

RAMAIAH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

MSR NAGAR, BENGALURU,560054

A Report on

Developing a Gamified Application for Learning Data Structures

with a Focus on Binary Search Trees

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the OTHER COMPONENT requirements as a

part of the Software Development Laboratory for the V Semester of degree of
Bachelor of Engineering in Information Science and Engineering

Submitted by
Muskan Goyal USN:-1MS22IS153
Sakhi Jain USN:-1MS22IS115
Shabnam USN:-1MS22IS122
Yashwini Raghavendran USN:-1MS22IS151

Under the Guidance of

Faculty Incharge
Dr Mushtaq Ahmed
Assistant Professor
Dept. of ISE

Department of Information Science and Engineering

Ramaiah Institute of Technology
2024 – 2025
MSR Nagar, Bengaluru-560054
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the project report entitled Gamified Application for Learning
Data Structures with a Focus on Binary Search Trees has been successfully
completed by Muskan Goyal bearing USN 1MS22IS153, Sakhi Jain bearing USN
1MS22IS115, Shabnam bearing USN 1MS22IS122, and Yashwini Raghavendran
bearing USN 1MS22IS151 respectively presently V semester student of Ramaiah
Institute of Technology in partial fulfillment of the OTHER COMPONENT
requirements of the Software Development Laboratory during academic year 2024
– 2025. The project report has been approved as it satisfies the academic requirements.

Dr Mushtaq Ahmed
Faculty Incharge
Table of Content:

SL.No Content Page No

01. Abstract 1

02. Basic Idea of our App 1

03. Architecture of the Project 1

04. Modules to be included in the Application 1

05. Development Workflow 1

06. Key Discussions 2

07. Gathering User Requirements 2

08. Detailed Analysis of User Requirements 2

09. Classification of Requirements 3

10. Preparing SRS Document 3

11. Initial Implementation 3

Implementation Record: Gamified Binary Search
12. 3
Tree (BST) Learning Tool – Level 3

Key Words:

Gamification Binary Search Tree (BST) Visualization

Traversal Insertion/Deletion Interactive Learning

Progress Tracking Leaderboards

Glossary:

· Algorithm: A systematic procedure for solving problems.

· AVL Tree: A balanced BST to optimize performance.
· RESTful API: A framework for seamless frontend-backend communication.
· Tree Traversal Orders: Essential methods for processing BST nodes.
· Visualization Tool: An intuitive interface for experimenting with data structures.
 Gamified Application for Learning Data Structures with a Focus
on Binary Search Trees
Abstract

The project aims to develop a gamified application to help students learn data structures in an
engaging and interactive manner. By combining visualization tools, problem-solving challenges, and
progress tracking, the app intends to make the learning experience more enjoyable and effective. Our
group focuses on implementing the binary search tree (BST) module, enabling users to visualize,
create, traverse, and manipulate BSTs interactively.

Basic Idea of Our App

The application is designed to facilitate learning data structures in a gamified way. It integrates
visualizations and hands-on practice with game-like challenges, allowing users to grasp concepts
while staying motivated. The app tracks user progress and adjusts difficulty levels based on their
performance, ensuring personalized learning.

By providing a combination of theoretical explanations and practical exercises, the app ensures that
students understand the core concepts before attempting more complex challenges. This approach
promotes active learning and better retention of knowledge. Additionally, the gamification elements
such as leaderboards, rewards, and badges keep users motivated throughout their journey.

Architecture of the Project

Frontend: Built using React, the frontend provides a seamless and responsive user interface. It
includes features for visualization, challenges, and user interaction. React’s component-based
architecture allows for modular development and easier maintenance of the interface.

Backend: Handles data storage and retrieval, including user progress, scores, and session data. The
backend ensures data persistence and smooth communication with the frontend. The backend is
implemented using a robust server framework and integrates with a database to manage user data
efficiently.

APIs: The application uses RESTful APIs to connect the frontend and backend, ensuring secure and
efficient data exchange.

Modules to Be Included in the Application

Learning and Visualization Module: Provides interactive visualizations for various data structures,
including binary search trees, and explains their functionality. Users can experiment with data
structures by performing operations such as insertion and deletion in real-time.

Problem-Solving and Challenges Module: Offers quizzes, coding challenges, and scenarios for
practical problem-solving. These challenges are designed to test the user’s understanding and help
them apply their knowledge effectively.

Game Progress Tracking and Difficulty Levels: Tracks user progress, adapts challenges based on their
performance, and unlocks advanced levels as they progress. This module ensures that users remain
engaged and are consistently challenged.

Development Workflow

The development process follows a structured workflow:

Design: Create detailed wireframes and UI/UX designs that focus on usability and engagement. These
designs form the blueprint for the app’s features and layout.

Prototype: Develop initial prototypes for testing core functionalities. These prototypes are used to
gather feedback and make necessary adjustments before full-scale development.
Development: Implement the frontend and backend components. This includes coding the
visualization tools, user management systems, and game mechanics.

Testing and Feedback: Perform rigorous testing, including unit testing, integration testing, and user
acceptance testing. Feedback from users is collected and analyzed to refine the application.

Iteration: Incorporate feedback to enhance features and fix any identified issues.

Key Discussions About the Project

Interactive Visualization Design: Designing visually appealing and intuitive diagrams to help users
understand concepts like BST operations. This involves using libraries such as D3.js or Chart.js to
create dynamic and responsive visualizations.

Hands-On Practice and Quizzes: Incorporating practice sessions and quizzes to reinforce learning.
These quizzes are tailored to assess the user’s understanding of specific concepts and provide instant
feedback.

Progress Tracking: Developing a reliable system to monitor user achievements and adapt difficulty
levels. This system includes dashboards that display progress metrics and provide insights into areas
for improvement.

Mobile-First Approach: Ensuring the app is optimized for mobile devices for better accessibility and
usability. This involves using responsive design principles and testing on various devices.

Gathering User Requirements

To ensure the app meets user needs, we conducted surveys, interviews, and distributed questionnaires
to collect feedback from potential users. This helped us understand their preferences, challenges, and
expectations when learning data structures.

The surveys focused on identifying the most difficult concepts, preferred learning methods, and
desired features in an educational app. Interviews provided deeper insights into specific pain points
and suggestions for gamified learning.

Detailed Analysis of User Requirements

To design a gamified learning platform for tree data structures, a survey was conducted to gather user
preferences and challenges. Respondents provided valuable insights into their learning experiences,
which are summarized below:
Learning Challenges:
 Tree Traversal and Operations: Approximately 65% of respondents found traversal
operations (in-order, pre-order, and post-order) difficult to understand and apply.
 Insertion and Deletion: Around 50% noted challenges in implementing insertion and
deletion operations, especially in binary search trees.
 Algorithm Understanding: Nearly 70% expressed difficulty in visualizing how tree
algorithms function dynamically.
 Balancing Tree Structures: Around 55% of respondents mentioned difficulties in
understanding and implementing self-balancing tree algorithms, such as AVL trees or Red-
Black trees, due to their complex rotations and properties.

Preferred Features in a Learning Platform:

 Interactive Visualizations: Over 80% of participants indicated that graphical representations
of tree operations would significantly improve understanding.
 Real-Time Feedback: About 75% desired immediate feedback to correct mistakes while
practicing tree operations.
 Step-by-Step Tutorials: 60% preferred tutorials that guide them through operations before
attempting problems independently.

Gamification Elements:
 Rewards and Recognition: Approximately 70% highlighted the importance of earning
rewards, such as badges and certificates, for motivation.
 Progressive Difficulty Levels: 65% wanted the application to adjust the difficulty of
challenges based on their performance.
 Competitive Elements: Nearly 50% showed interest in leaderboards and peer comparisons to
boost engagement.

Technical and Accessibility Feedback:

 Mobile Optimization: A significant number of respondents (around 55%) emphasized the
need for a mobile-friendly interface.
 Ease of Use: About 45% stated that an intuitive and straightforward UI is crucial for learning
without distractions.

These findings demonstrate a clear demand for an interactive, gamified approach to learning data
structures, emphasizing the importance of visualization, hands-on practice, and engagement through
game-like features. The feedback forms the foundation for designing an effective and user-centric
educational platform.

Classification of Requirements

Functional Requirements

System Specification:
 User management: Create and manage user accounts.
 Home page: Display key app features and navigation.

Game levels: Provide structured learning paths with increasing complexity. Levels include tutorials,
challenges, and advanced scenarios.

Non-Functional Requirements

Scalability: Support a growing user base without performance degradation.

Performance: Ensure smooth operation with minimal lag, even during intensive visualizations.
Security: Protect user data and application integrity using encryption and secure authentication
methods.

Usability: Provide an intuitive and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.

Technology stack: Use reliable and scalable technologies such as React, Node.js, and MongoDB.

Validation:
 User login validation to prevent unauthorized access.
 Game level validation to ensure fair progression.
 Leader-board validation to maintain accuracy and integrity of scores.

Preparing Software Requirement Specification Document

The Software Requirement Specification (SRS) document outlines the app’s goals, features, and
design considerations. It includes detailed descriptions of functional and non-functional requirements,
ensuring a shared understanding among team members. This document also serves as a reference for
the development and testing phases, minimizing misunderstandings and rework.

Initial Implementation

Basic Webpage Development: A simple webpage was created to serve as the foundation for the app’s
frontend. This included a landing page with basic navigation and placeholders for key features.

Binary Search Tree Construction:

Designed algorithms for BST creation, traversal (in-order, pre-order, post-order), insertion, and
deletion. These algorithms were implemented in a modular way to allow easy integration with the
visualization tools.

Implemented a basic visualization tool for users to interact with BST operations. This tool allows
users to input data, observe the resulting tree structure, and perform operations interactively.

Integration with Backend: Established a basic connection with the backend to store user progress and
session data, ensuring persistence across sessions.

This report summarizes the project’s progress and provides an overview of our group’s contribution to
the development of the binary search tree module. Future phases will involve enhancing the
visualization tools, integrating additional features, and refining the user experience.

Implementation Record: Gamified Binary Search Tree (BST) Learning Tool – Level 3
Objective
This implementation focuses on Level 3 of a gamified educational tool designed to help students
understand the concept of Binary Search Trees (BSTs) through interactive learning. In this level, users
receive random numbers to arrange into a BST. Points are awarded based on the correctness of their
placements. This level enhances the understanding of how nodes are organized level-wise in a BST.
Core Features
 Dynamic Gameplay:
 Players are given random numbers to arrange into a BST using left, right, and level-
change controls.
 Real-time visual feedback reinforces the learning process.
 Scoring Mechanism:
 Points are awarded or deducted based on placement correctness.
  Interactive Visualization:
 A dynamically updated tree structure helps users visualize the BST.
 Validation:
 The tool validates the final tree to ensure compliance with BST properties.

Implementation Highlights
 Game Initialization:
 Generates random numbers and initializes the root node from the first number.
 User Interaction:
 Interactive buttons allow users to navigate and build the tree step by step.
 Visualization:
 Nodes and edges are dynamically displayed using absolute positioning, calculated
recursively.
 Validation:
 A recursive function checks the BST properties

function validateBST(node, min = null, max = null) {

if (!node) return true;
if ((min !== null && node.value <= min) || (max !== null && node.value
>= max)) return false;
return validateBST(node.left, min, node.value) &&
validateBST(node.right, node.value, max);
}

Conclusion:
This tool combines interactive gameplay, visualization, and validation to enhance the learning
experience. It challenges users to construct a BST correctly, ensuring concepts are reinforced through
hands-on practice.