Visual Programming Research Articles

The impact of a block-based visual programming curriculum: Untangling coding skills and computational thinking

Backgroundand Context: Computer programming is increasingly being taught to young children worldwide. Quality programming curricula are needed to enable students to explore computer science concepts and develop a positive attitude towards programming. However, few studies have been conducted on the available curricula for young learners. ObjectiveThis study aims to provide an evidence-based, public, and free computer science curriculum for early childhood education by investigating the efficacy of the CAL-ScratchJr curriculum, among second graders. MethodA cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 11 schools and 21 second-grade classrooms was conducted to examine the impact of the 24-lesson curriculum on students’ coding proficiency and computational thinking. FindingsThe results indicated that the CAL-ScratchJr curriculum intervention had a medium positive effect on second graders’ coding skills, but no significant impact on computational thinking. ImplicationsResults caution against incorporating disconnected abstract computational thinking practices in education. The features of the curriculum were discussed.

A BIM-integrated Thailand building energy code framework for building envelope thermal requirements in a conceptual design stage

This work presents the development of a building energy code (BEC) of Thailand compliance framework during conceptual design stages (CDS) using building information modeling (BIM) through visual programming language (VPL). The proposed method included five steps: (i) establish a commercial building reference; (ii) develop a BIM base model; (iii) create a BIM overall thermal transfer value (OTTV) and roof thermal transfer value (RTTV) calculation model with VPL scripts; (iv) test the BIM framework with various scenarios; and (v) verify the results with Thailand BEC software. The findings revealed an insignificant difference between the results from the BIM calculation model and those estimated by the Thailand BEC software. This study demonstrated that using BIM with VPL for OTTV and RTTV calculations during the CDS may be implemented automatically, which could help designers make timely decisions to comply with Thailand’s BEC, considering building design, materials, and fenestration ratios.

Enhancing Algorithmic Thinking Skills through Phygital Games: The Case of Space Codyssey

This paper presents an educational phygital game, Space Codyssey, aiming at cultivating the algorithmic thinking skills of young children. Space Codyssey is a phygital game, and its contains programming activities for the Sequence, Repetition, and Selection Structures, as well as Code Debugging activities (Debugging). The game utilizes Augmented Reality technology to present missions via QR cards. Additionally, digital storytelling is used as a means of assistance and teaching for preschool and early primary students. In the game, reading skills are not a prerequisite, and programming is accomplished using symbolic commands through a "Visual Programming Language." The participatory design methodology that was adopted, involving 28 educators from various specialties, reflects a holistic approach to the development of educational technologies. This interdisciplinary collaboration allowed for the integration of diverse pedagogical perspectives, ensuring that the game meets the multifaceted needs of modern education. The paper highlights the educational goals and learning outcomes for the designtated age group. It presents the scenario, the subject, the elements of the game, the rules, and the game mechanics. It also describes the implementation stages and the development of the application. Finally, it presents the results from a study, which involved 28 educators and aimed to improve the game before its use in educational settings.

A comparison of reserved graph grammar and edge-based graph grammar

Abstract Context-sensitive graph grammars are natural formalisms for the generation and parsing of visual programming languages. Being intuitive, rigorous, and expressive tools, they have been frequently employed in a wide range of research fields. Nevertheless, the expressive powers of the existing context-sensitive formalisms have not been investigated yet. To this end, this paper is dedicated to the comparison of expressive powers of the two prevalent graph grammar formalisms, Reserved Graph Grammar (RGG) and Edge-based Graph Grammar (EGG). By introducing a special variant of RGG as an intermediary, the relation between them concerning the expressive power is revealed that the set of graph languages of EGG is a proper subset of that of RGG. Moreover, bidirectional transformations between EGG and the variant of RGG are accordingly established, allowing them to take the advantages of each other in applications.

Information Technologies for Calculating Anthropogenic Heat Flux in Urban Areas

Modern megalopolis face challenges in effectively managing energy resources and minimizing the impact of human activities on the environment. One of the significant aspects of anthropogenic impact is the heat flow generated by buildings, transport and industry. This article presents a set of programs for assessing anthropogenic heat flow (AHF) caused by heat loss from buildings during the heating season. The study is based on a spatial geometric model of the city constructed using OpenStreetMap data. The thermophysical properties of enclosing structures and specific characteristics of thermal energy consumption are obtained from building codes. The proposed method includes the stages of buildings modeling, filtering, supplementing information from Yandex Maps and State Information System of Housing and Communal Services, eliminating collisions, assigning specific characteristics and calculating AHF. The method is implemented through scripts for the Rhinoceros platform, known for its wide functionality and visual programming environment Grasshopper. The proposed approach allows us to effectively analyze and visualize anthropogenic heat flow in cities, which is a key step in developing strategies for sustainable energy management and reducing negative environmental impacts.

Procedure Design and Reliability Analysis for Prediction of Surface Subsidence of a Metal Mine Induced by Block Caving Method—A Case Study of Pulang Copper Mine in China

Surface subsidence resulting from block caving mining causes considerable environmental and economic harm in mining areas, highlighting the critical need for accurate predictions of surface subsidence. Given the unique features of the block caving technique and the resemblance between the released ore pillars and the mining processes, this paper developed a lightweight model to forecast surface settlement utilizing the probability integration approach to address the issue of predicting surface settlement in metallic mines. This study focuses on the Pulang Copper Mine, situated in the northeast of Shangri-La County within the Yunnan Province, as a case example. This mine employs the block caving method, which results in substantial surface subsidence. A visual mining simulation program is designed to combine the ore mining plan with the prediction model, manage the ore output of each mining point in batches, treat the ore pillars released in the planning cycle as strip work, and simulate and calculate the surface area above the ore pillars settlement value. The calculated values of surface subsidence induced by ore drawing are then interpreted as the downward displacement of the surface subsidence beneath the strip workings. Furthermore, to verify the reliability of the model, three-dimensional laser point cloud data of the Pulang Copper Mine in recent years were collected, and the differences between the predicted surface and the measured surface were calculated and analyzed.

The implementation of STE(A)M education through Scratch projects

Abstract The present research is motivated by the necessity of introducing modern methodologies corresponding to the study’s content into the educational process. The work aims to use Scratch projects for the organization of students’ educational activities, as well as for their creative self-realization. Authors realize STE(A)M-approach in the educational activity by facilities of Scratch-projects. The high-level block-based visual programming language could be an auxiliary technology for a teacher and an independent developing tool for students. The research revealed the main themes that became the basis for the development of the author’s course “Creative Self-Fulfilment in Scratch”. This contributes to the development of students’ creativity. The content of the course is extended with projects in algebra, geometry, physics and musical culture. Each of these projects demonstrates the unity of technology and creativity.

Approaches to Modelling Marketing Strategies in E-Commerce

Introduction. Increasing the efficiency of business activities requires developing a marketing strategy using e-commerce to attract a wide range of customers and maximise the company's income. The key marketing metric for most companies is the customer lifetime value indicator, which is why studying approaches to forecasting this indicator in e-commerce requires special attention, considering the changing business operation environment. Aim and tasks. The study aims to develop approaches to modelling the marketing strategy of e-commerce enterprises. The tasks are a comparative characterisation of modern marketing planning tools and an empirical analysis of the possibilities of using the BG/NBD model for marketing planning in e-commerce companies, considering the need to implement scenario marketing planning in unstable conditions. Results. A comparison of the characteristics of the main marketing planning tools was conducted according to features such as content and focus, functional purpose, and planning period, which allows more purposeful use of these tools to solve specific tasks. In order to automatically obtain the required data format for modelling, a Visual Basic program was developed, a forecast of customer behaviour was built, and an indicator of customer transactions was determined for further calculation of customer lifetime value (CLV). During the simulation, four parameters of the BG/NBD model were evaluated, and the maximum value of the logarithmic likelihood function equal to 14460.54 was obtained. The expected number of transactions (forecast time = 26 weeks) was determined for each client from the database. After calculations the information was received, the selected client will make 2.35 transactions during the forecast period of 55-80 weeks. The recommended algorithm for using the BG/NBD model as part of a scenario approach for forecasting the cost of the customer's life cycle allows for more flexible forecasting of digital business revenues and building an optimal marketing strategy. Conclusions. An empirical study of the possibilities of using the BG/NBD model for marketing planning in e-commerce companies showed that, for the simulation of indicators that affect a company's marketing strategy, it is crucial at the initial stage to convert the database of customer purchases into the input format required for modelling. Using a scenario approach allows e-commerce enterprises to carry out variable marketing planning and reduce risks under growing uncertainty. A well-designed marketing strategy that can be adapted to different business development scenarios enables an e-commerce company to increase its sales.

Integrated Framework for the Implementation of Visual Programming Language in Science Experiment for Secondary School

Integrated Framework for the Implementation of Visual Programming Language in Science Experiment for Secondary School

Experiencing enjoyment in visual programming tasks promotes self‐efficacy and reduces the gender gap

Experiencing enjoyment in visual programming tasks promotes self‐efficacy and reduces the gender gap

Efficacy of a new video observational training method (intensive visual simulation) for motor recovery in the upper limb in subacute stroke: a feasibility and proof-of-concept study.

To demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of a new video-observation training method (intensive visual simulation) to improve upper limb function. Small sample, randomized, evaluator-blind, monocentric study. Seventeen early subacute ischaemic stroke patients with complete hemiplegia were randomly assigned to the therapeutic group (n = 8) or control group (CG, n = 9). Thirty sessions of intensive visual simulation combined with corrected visual feedback (therapeutic group) or uncorrected visual feedback (control group) were performed over 6 weeks on top of a standard rehabilitation programme. 400-point hand assessment test (400p-HA). Box and Blocks (B&B), Purdue Pegboard test, Minnesota. The 400p-HA test improved significantly from T0 to 6 months for both groups, with a significant difference between groups at 3 months (MW-UT p = 0.046) and 4 months (MW-UT p = 0.046) in favour of the therapeutic group. One-phase exponential modelling of 400p-HA showed a greater plateau for the therapeutic group (F test p = 0.0021). There was also faster recovery of the ability to perform the B&B tests for the therapeutic group (log-rank test p = 0.03). This study demonstrated the feasibility and potential efficacy of an intensive visual simulation training programme to improve upper limb function in subacute stroke patients. A larger study is needed to confirm these results.

ProDiVis: a method to normalize fluorescence signal localization in 3D specimens.

A common problem in confocal microscopy is the decrease in intensity of excitation light and emission signal from fluorophores as they travel through 3D specimens, resulting in decreased signal detected as a function of depth. Here, we report a visualization program compatible with widely used fluorophores in cell biology to facilitate image interpretation of differential protein disposition in 3D specimens. Glioblastoma cell clusters were fluorescently labeled for mitochondrial complex I (COXI), P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), β-Actin, Ki-67, and DAPI. Each cell cluster was imaged using a laser scanning confocal microscope. We observed up to ∼70% loss in fluorescence signal across the depth in Z-stacks. This progressive underrepresentation of fluorescence intensity as the focal plane deepens hinders an accurate representation of signal location within a 3D structure. To address these challenges, we developed ProDiVis: a program that adjusts apparent fluorescent signals by normalizing one fluorescent signal to a reference signal at each focal plane. ProDiVis serves as a free and accessible, unbiased visualization tool to use in conjunction with fluorescence microscopy images and imaging software.

Beliefs of Undergraduate Mathematics Education Students in a Teacher Education Program about Visual Programming in Mathematics Classes

AbstractIn the digital age, the range of digital technologies used in mathematics education grows. Since beliefs are affective-cognitive elements that significantly determine teachers' behavior in the classroom, they are an interesting field of research in mathematics education. A review of previous research has identified different groups of beliefs about the use of digital technologies in mathematics classes. These studies are not focused on specific digital technologies. In an empirical case study that is presented in this paper, the aim was to figure out how beliefs that can be described specifically about the use of visual programming relate to general beliefs about the use of digital technologies in mathematics education. A qualitative content analysis of the reflection journals of seven undergraduate mathematics education students on their work with Scratch, a visual programming environment, in a university seminar led to the formation of ten belief categories about the use of visual programming in mathematics classes. Most of the beliefs are associated with a positive attitude towards visual programming in mathematics education. However, some beliefs could also be identified that refer to the limits and challenges of using visual programming and thus demonstrate rather negative associations. Only a few of the categories identified match the list of belief groups about digital technologies in mathematics education identified in previous research. Some possible reasons for these results are discussed and further research interests in the field of beliefs about the use of digital technologies are suggested.

Centralized exhaust system simulation and parameter optimization

With the increase in high-rise buildings in cities, public flue exhaust systems have a direct impact on residential air quality and the living environment. Although existing studies have analyzed the problems in public flue exhaust systems through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulations and experimental tests, these studies often lack an in-depth exploration of the specific impacts of individual components in the system. To solve this problem, this study not only thoroughly analyzes the key components in the public flue system, such as branch pipes, check valves, and tee pipes, but also develops a parametric public flue simulation system software based on C# and verifies the accuracy of the simulation through experiments. The study first determines the key parameters affecting the comprehensive resistance coefficient of the branch pipe, check valve, tee pipe, and other components through CFD simulation and experimental testing. Subsequently, a visualization program is developed using the C# language, which can quickly simulate and visualize the flow changes in the flue according to different building parameters such as the number of floors, height of floors, and size of the flue. The results confirm that the program can efficiently predict the flow distribution under different design options, providing a practical tool for the optimal design and performance evaluation of public flues, which is important for improving the air quality of the living environment.

PBLGM Model Through Visual Programming Language (VPL) for Digital Competencies and Problem-Solving Skills

PBLGM Model Through Visual Programming Language (VPL) for Digital Competencies and Problem-Solving Skills

Development and Evaluation of an Internet of Things Project for Preservice Elementary School Teachers

Programming education is gaining more attention in elementary schools, especially through the use of visual programming tools and development boards. However, the elementary school teacher education in Taiwan allows only limited time periods for training in visual programming and the use of development boards. Development boards are ideal for creating internet of things (IoT) projects, and project-based learning (PBL) is an effective teaching strategy in programming education to promote active learning. Therefore, to sustainably cultivate 21st-century teachers, this study developed an IoT PBL activity for preservice elementary school teachers in Taiwan, so as to improve their attitude toward programming and to enhance their content knowledge of programming teaching, including in computational thinking concepts and knowledge concerning the micro:bit and IoT. This project aimed to engage preservice elementary school teachers in using the micro:bit and electronic modules to create cardboard games with IoT features. A preliminary evaluation was conducted within a teacher education course to verify the project’s feasibility. Consequently, the preservice elementary school teachers participating in this project could develop various IoT cardboard games through teamwork. Their scores on the assessments of computational thinking concepts, development board knowledge, and attitude toward programming showed significant improvement after the project activity. They also expressed highly positive feedback on the project. These findings verify that the proposed PBL activity could be feasible for elementary teacher education.

Generating Sonic Phantoms with Quadratic Difference Tone Spectrum Synthesis

Abstract Quadratic difference tones belong to a family of perceptual phenomena that arise from the neuromechanics of the auditory system in response to particular physical properties of sound. Long deployed as “ghost” or “phantom” tones by sound artists, improvisers, and computer musicians, in this article we address an entirely new topic: How to create a quadratic difference tone spectrum (QDTS) in which a target fundamental and harmonic overtone series are specified and in which the complex tone necessary to evoke it is synthesized. We propose a numerical algorithm that solves the problem of how to synthesize a QDTS for a target distribution of amplitudes. The algorithm aims to find a solution that matches the desired spectrum as closely as possible for an arbitrary number of target harmonics. Results from experiments using different parameter settings and target distributions show that the algorithm is effective in the majority of cases, with at least 99% of the cases being solvable in real time. An external object for the visual programming language Max is described. We discuss musical and perceptual considerations for using the external, and we describe a range of audio examples that demonstrate the synthesis of QDTSs across different cases. As we show, the method makes possible the matching of QDTSs to particular instrumental timbres with surprising efficiency. Also included is a discussion of a musical work by composer Marcin Pietruszewski that makes use of QDTS synthesis.

Behavioural Engagement in Visual Programming Online Course Gamification

Visual programming is one of the courses offered in the bachelor's degree in educational technology. Based on a survey in the field, almost 85% of educational technology students do not have a background in learning programming. To provide motivation in learning visual programming, gamification is required in implementation. Usually the gamification principle is held offline. This study aims to determine the behavioral engagement of students during lectures by implementing online gamification. The method used was a survey of 98 students who were taking classes at the 8th meeting. The results showed that empirically the level of student behavioral engagement in visual programming courses was good in the high and medium categories, although some were categorized as low. Hypothetically, students are taking lectures at high and moderate levels. The overall results are discussed in the discussion section of the article.

Developing a Data Visualization Program for Transfusion Appropriateness Management

Developing a Data Visualization Program for Transfusion Appropriateness Management

Implementation of Project-Based Visual Programming Modules on Problem-Solving Skills Information Technology Education students to Support the SDG’s

Students in the Information Technology Education program need to master programming languages as an essential part of their competencies to support educational goals. One of the courses that require programming proficiency is Visual Programming or desktop-based programming. Problem-solving skills are crucial in the development of desktop-based applications. This study aims to analyze the visual programming problem-solving abilities of PTI students in supporting the SDGs through the implementation of the project-based visual programming module. This research employs a quantitative approach with a pre-experimental design of the One-Group Pretest-Posttest type. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling, involving 15 students currently taking the object-oriented programming course. The data used in this study consists of the test results of problem-solving abilities through the final project. Based on the analysis, the project-based visual programming module has been proven effective in improving students' problem-solving skills, as indicated by the paired sample t-test with a significance value of 0.002 < 0.05. In conclusion, there is a significant difference in students' problem-solving abilities before and after using the project-based module. The improvement in students' problem-solving skills through this module is considered high, with an N-Gain score of 0.839.