Linked List Manipulatives

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Manipulatives for grasping Linked Lists in a computer science class - Nodes comprise the elements of the list, each featuring a slot for inserting a card (such as a 3 x 5 section) with its value stored within. Each node possesses a "next" element that can securely latch onto another node. Pointers also hold slots for their variable names (e.g., "p") and nestle snugly into the sides of nodes. The drawback lies in losing sight of the fact that pin & hole connections function as pointers, but this method reinforces the concept of a chain of nodes. Pointer connections differ because algorithms typically reveal that multiple pointers point to the same node. It's also evident that creating a pointer variable doesn't automatically generate a node. Students should practice advancing a pointer through the list, adding items to the start of the list, deleting items from the middle of the list, and other linked list algorithms. Sometimes, students struggle to keep these complex concepts in their minds as they write or analyze these algorithms.