Block-oriented programming with tangibles: An engaging way to learn computational thinking skills

Alessio Malizia; Tommaso Turchi; Kai A. Olsen

doi:10.1109/BLOCKS.2017.8120413

Block-oriented programming with tangibles: An engaging way to learn computational thinking skills

Alessio Malizia, Tommaso Turchi, Kai A. Olsen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Block-oriented programming environments, such as Scratch and AppInventor, have become mainstream and have helped introduce non-programmers to algorithmic thinking; that is, to computational thinking (CT) skills. In various experiments, referenced in this paper, we observed how objects (tangibles) augmented with digital properties-that is, tangible user interface (TUI) objects-can help develop CT skills. We investigate which paradigm can be used to introduce CT skills with TUIs. By drawing on past experience, we conclude that block-oriented programming provides a suitable answer to our research questions. Furthermore, we introduce a framework for implementing block-oriented programmable objects that we believe can help end-users learn CT skills.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	IEEE Blocks and Beyond Workshop (Blocks and Beyond)
Subtitle of host publication	Proceedings
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Pages	61-64
Number of pages	4
ISBN (Electronic)	9781538624807
ISBN (Print)	9781538624814
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/BLOCKS.2017.8120413
Publication status	Published - 1 Dec 2017
Event	2nd IEEE Blocks and Beyond Workshop, B and B 2017 - Raleigh, United States Duration: 10 Oct 2017 → …

Conference

Conference	2nd IEEE Blocks and Beyond Workshop, B and B 2017
Country/Territory	United States
City	Raleigh
Period	10/10/17 → …

Keywords

Block-Oriented Programming
Computational Thinking Skills
Tangible User Interfaces

Access to Document

10.1109/BLOCKS.2017.8120413Licence: Unspecified

Cite this

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title = "Block-oriented programming with tangibles: An engaging way to learn computational thinking skills",

abstract = "Block-oriented programming environments, such as Scratch and AppInventor, have become mainstream and have helped introduce non-programmers to algorithmic thinking; that is, to computational thinking (CT) skills. In various experiments, referenced in this paper, we observed how objects (tangibles) augmented with digital properties-that is, tangible user interface (TUI) objects-can help develop CT skills. We investigate which paradigm can be used to introduce CT skills with TUIs. By drawing on past experience, we conclude that block-oriented programming provides a suitable answer to our research questions. Furthermore, we introduce a framework for implementing block-oriented programmable objects that we believe can help end-users learn CT skills.",

keywords = "Block-Oriented Programming, Computational Thinking Skills, Tangible User Interfaces",

author = "Alessio Malizia and Tommaso Turchi and Olsen, \{Kai A.\}",

year = "2017",

month = dec,

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doi = "10.1109/BLOCKS.2017.8120413",

language = "English",

isbn = "9781538624814",

pages = "61--64",

booktitle = "IEEE Blocks and Beyond Workshop (Blocks and Beyond)",

publisher = "Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)",

address = "United States",

note = "2nd IEEE Blocks and Beyond Workshop, B and B 2017 ; Conference date: 10-10-2017",

}

Malizia, A, Turchi, T & Olsen, KA 2017, Block-oriented programming with tangibles: An engaging way to learn computational thinking skills. in IEEE Blocks and Beyond Workshop (Blocks and Beyond): Proceedings. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), pp. 61-64, 2nd IEEE Blocks and Beyond Workshop, B and B 2017, Raleigh, United States, 10/10/17. https://doi.org/10.1109/BLOCKS.2017.8120413

Block-oriented programming with tangibles: An engaging way to learn computational thinking skills. / Malizia, Alessio; Turchi, Tommaso; Olsen, Kai A.
IEEE Blocks and Beyond Workshop (Blocks and Beyond): Proceedings. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2017. p. 61-64.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

TY - GEN

T1 - Block-oriented programming with tangibles

T2 - 2nd IEEE Blocks and Beyond Workshop, B and B 2017

AU - Malizia, Alessio

AU - Turchi, Tommaso

AU - Olsen, Kai A.

PY - 2017/12/1

Y1 - 2017/12/1

N2 - Block-oriented programming environments, such as Scratch and AppInventor, have become mainstream and have helped introduce non-programmers to algorithmic thinking; that is, to computational thinking (CT) skills. In various experiments, referenced in this paper, we observed how objects (tangibles) augmented with digital properties-that is, tangible user interface (TUI) objects-can help develop CT skills. We investigate which paradigm can be used to introduce CT skills with TUIs. By drawing on past experience, we conclude that block-oriented programming provides a suitable answer to our research questions. Furthermore, we introduce a framework for implementing block-oriented programmable objects that we believe can help end-users learn CT skills.

AB - Block-oriented programming environments, such as Scratch and AppInventor, have become mainstream and have helped introduce non-programmers to algorithmic thinking; that is, to computational thinking (CT) skills. In various experiments, referenced in this paper, we observed how objects (tangibles) augmented with digital properties-that is, tangible user interface (TUI) objects-can help develop CT skills. We investigate which paradigm can be used to introduce CT skills with TUIs. By drawing on past experience, we conclude that block-oriented programming provides a suitable answer to our research questions. Furthermore, we introduce a framework for implementing block-oriented programmable objects that we believe can help end-users learn CT skills.

KW - Block-Oriented Programming

KW - Computational Thinking Skills

KW - Tangible User Interfaces

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DO - 10.1109/BLOCKS.2017.8120413

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:85048251724

SN - 9781538624814

SP - 61

EP - 64

BT - IEEE Blocks and Beyond Workshop (Blocks and Beyond)

PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Y2 - 10 October 2017

ER -

Block-oriented programming with tangibles: An engaging way to learn computational thinking skills

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