Animation
This animation shows how Selection Sort scans the unsorted portion of the list to find the smallest element and swaps it into place.
What Is Selection Sort?
Selection Sort works by dividing the list into two parts: a sorted portion at the front and an unsorted portion that follows. On each pass, the algorithm selects the smallest element from the unsorted portion and swaps it with the first unsorted element.
Unlike Bubble Sort, Selection Sort makes fewer swaps, but it still requires scanning the entire unsorted section on every pass.
Key Ideas Shown in the Animation
- Separating the list into sorted and unsorted regions
- Scanning for the minimum element
- Tracking the current minimum during each pass
- Swapping the minimum element into its correct position
The animation emphasizes the difference between searching and swapping.
Teaching & UX/UI Design Principles
Selection Sort is valuable for teaching because its logic is simple but structurally different from other basic sorting algorithms. This visualization highlights that distinction.
- Cognitive Load Reduction: The animation separates the search phase from the swap phase, reducing mental complexity.
- Step-by-Step Progression (Progressive Disclosure): Each scan for the minimum is completed before the swap is shown, helping learners understand the algorithm’s structure.
- Object Constancy: Elements remain visually stable as the minimum value is identified and moved, preserving clarity.
- Visual Attention Guidance: The current minimum and scan pointer are highlighted to guide focus.
- Deliberate Animation Timing: Pauses between scanning and swapping reinforce cause-and-effect.
Why Learn Selection Sort Through Animation?
Selection Sort helps learners understand that not all sorting algorithms work by repeated swapping. Visual animation clarifies the idea of selecting a value before placing it.
In future versions, voice narration will be added to align verbal explanations with the visual process, supporting multimodal learning.