Block Sweetie: Learning Web Application Development by Block Arrangement

Abstract

In order to build a Web application, understanding of the programming language, databases, SQL, and HTTP is indispensable. We had proposed a PHP-based framework that can facilitate understanding of these concepts and reduce burdens of web applications development for novice learners. However, the novice learner had troubles with syntax errors caused by mistypes. To relief the anxiety of text editing, we have developed Block Sweetie that introduces block-programming editor for the proposed framework. The visual representation and the intuitive operations on block arrangements prevent troubles of input errors and mistypes. We have designed Block Sweetie with “switch and observe” approach, which reduces extra burdens such as saving files and reloading pages. Therefore, novice learners can efficiently perform trial and errors. We have also prepared sample block programs that help novice learners to understand related topics and technologies in a short time. From our preliminary experimental lecture, we found that Block Sweetie was effective for understanding differences of HTTP methods.