Abstract
In this paper, we introduce an original, classroom-based approach for teaching Scratch programming to 6th grade elementary school students. Scratch is a programming language that involves assembling icon-based command blocks. It was designed to avoid the complex syntax errors seen in other programming languages, making it especially accessible for younger learners. While Scratch does provide a visual programming environment in which potentially just about anyone can learn to read and write programming code, there can still be a reduced overall interest in learning programming, because younger learners in particular can find it difficult to intuitively understand or be stimulated by abstract concepts of programming such as sequences, conditions, and repetition, which are present in Scratch. Our research involves the development of a tangible, electronic block system that allows students to manipulate physical objects with their hands to perform programming tasks. The system consists of a Scratch simulator and physical, Scratch electronic blocks embodying Scratch user interface shapes. We devised and delivered a programming course to 6th grade Korean elementary school students using our block system. The results are encouraging.
Highlights
With the progression of the 4th industrial revolution, the importance of computing technology such as AI, big data, and cloud computing continues to grow
We developed physical Scratch blocks that allow students to program by assembling Scratch blocks directly with their hands. This is based on a Tangible User Interface (TUI) concept, a concept which allows computer system users to interact with digital content through the manipulation of tangible objects [11]
Scratch [4] is an educational programming language developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT Media Lab in the U.S It is based on a Graphical User Interface (GUI), meaning users make algorithms by clicking on or dragging and dropping blocks on a computer screen
Summary
With the progression of the 4th industrial revolution, the importance of computing technology such as AI, big data, and cloud computing continues to grow. One study found that students’ perceptions of programming change for the worse after block-based programming classes, and their overall motivation and enjoyment decrease [10]. To address these problems, we developed physical Scratch blocks that allow students to program by assembling Scratch blocks directly with their hands. We developed physical Scratch blocks that allow students to program by assembling Scratch blocks directly with their hands This is based on a Tangible User Interface (TUI) concept, a concept which allows computer system users to interact with digital content through the manipulation of tangible objects [11]. Our hope is that elementary school students will learn Scratch programming more and more enjoyably by taking advantage of our system
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