Lesson Plan

Algorithms Detour - Minimum Spanning Tree

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

This optional instructional activity introduces the class to the idea of a minimum spanning tree. The activity focuses on determining an algorithm that will find the most efficient path in a network to transfer data. 

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Instructional Ideas
  • Project the assessment diagram and have the class write the labels on a sheet of paper
  • Have pupils construct their own graph and share with a partner to find the most effective path
Classroom Considerations
  • Pupils may confuse the shortest path as being the most effective rather than the path with the least cost associated with it
  • The lesson is the 14th in a series of 19
Pros
  • A link contains the key to the activity
  • The activity guide has information about possible misconceptions
Cons
  • None