Visual Programming Tool Research Articles

An Exploration of the Role of Visual Programming Tools in the Development of Young Children’s Computational Thinking

Programming tools are being used in education to teach computer science to children as young as 5 years old. This research aims to explore young children’s approaches to programming in two tools with contrasting programming interfaces, ScratchJr and Lightbot, and considers the impact of programming approaches on developing computational thinking. A study was conducted using two versions of a Lightbot-style game, either using a ScratchJr-like or Lightbot style programming interface. A test of non-verbal reasoning was used to perform a matched assignment of 40, 6 and 7-year-olds to the two conditions. Each child then played their version of the game for 30 minutes. The results showed that both groups had similar overall performance, but as expected, the children using the ScratchJr-like interface performed more program manipulation or ‘tinkering’. The most interesting finding was that non-verbal reasoning was a predictor of program manipulation, but only for the ScratchJr-like condition. Children approached the ScratchJr-like program differently depending on prior ability. More research is required to establish how children use programming tools and how these approaches influence computational thinking.

The Context Modelling Toolkit

Context awareness plays an important role in recent smart environments and embedded interactions. In order to increase user satisfaction and acceptance, these context-aware solutions should be controllable by end users. Over the last few years we have therefore seen an emerging trend towards visual programming tools for context-aware applications based on simple "IF this THEN that" rules. However, existing solutions often do not support the simple reuse of the "this" part in order to define more sophisticated rules. Given that the desired level of control varies among individuals, we propose a unified multi-layered context modelling approach distinguishing between end users, expert users and programmers. Our Context Modelling Toolkit (CMT) consists of the necessary context modelling concepts and offers a rule-based context processing engine. We further illustrate how end users and expert users might interact with the CMT framework. Finally, we highlight some advantages of our Context Modelling Toolkit by discussing a number of use cases.

Students Learning to Program by Developing Games: Results of a Year-long Project in Primary School Settings

Aim/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine whether the authoring of computer games in a mainstream primary school setting can support the learning of game design and programming concepts. Background: Despite the benefits for students when they learn how to program and the significant body of research regarding this matter, these benefits are still under debate, and the teaching of programming has a relatively undeveloped pedagogy. With this in mind, a project was designed and implemented, having constructionism as its theoretical framework. Also, Microsoft’s Kodu Game Lab was used for the development of students’ games. Methodology: The project lasted for almost a school year (fifty two-hour sessions) and the target group was fifth-grade students (ages 10-11). A total of 138 students participated, coming from five schools in Athens, Greece. Students were divided into three groups. While all groups worked in pairs, to the first there was no teachers’ guidance, to the second there was limited teachers’ guidance, and to the third, a combination of teacher-led and pair work was used. Each group developed three games of escalating complexity and a total of 207 games were analyzed. Data were collected by analyzing students’ games and with a short questionnaire. Contribution: The study contributes to the debate surrounding the pedagogy of computer game authoring as a tool for teaching programming. That is because few studies have examined the above in mainstream settings, having as a target group primary school students. Furthermore, the present study is in contrast to most studies which involved intensive research projects, since it lasted for almost a school year. Findings: It was found that the most commonly used programming concept was conditions, followed by variables and loops, while Boolean logic and functions were the least used ones. The most problematic concepts proved to be Boolean logic and loops, closely followed by functions. The least problematic concepts were conditions and variables. Also, the number of programming concepts that were used was increasing in each game, while the errors were decreasing. All in all, students’ final games fall into the relational level according to a modified version of the SOLO taxonomy. While the findings indicated that, as well as learning some basic programming concepts, students enjoyed the activity and demonstrated positive attitudes to learning programming by developing games; it was also found that the teaching method did not have any effect on the learning outcomes nor in their views for game authoring. Recommendations for Practitioners: Extended projects can be considered for teaching programming to primary school students, using visual programming tools that allow the development of games. The classes’ teachers can undertake the task to teach programming if they are properly trained. The SOLO taxonomy can be used for assessing students’ games. Future Research: Future studies can examine a variety of game-like programming environments and the target group can be older or younger students. The assessment of students’ games is also an interesting topic. Finally, research can be conducted by using other devices and compare the results.

Smart Configuration of Smart Environments

One of the central research challenges in the Internet of Things and Ubiquitous Computing domains is how users can be enabled to “program” their personal and industrial smart environments by combining services that are provided by devices around them. We present a service composition system that enables the goal-driven configuration of smart environments for end users by combining semantic metadata and reasoning with a visual modeling tool. In contrast to process-driven approaches where service mashups are statically defined, we make use of embedded semantic API descriptions to dynamically create mashups that fulfill the user’s goal. The main advantage of our system is its high degree of flexibility, as service mashups can adapt to dynamic environments and are fault-tolerant with respect to individual services becoming unavailable. To support users in expressing their goals, we integrated a visual programming tool with our system that allows to model the desired state of a smart environment graphically, thereby hiding the technicalities of the underlying semantics. Possible applications of the presented system include the management of smart homes to increase individual well-being, and reconfigurations of smart environments, for instance in the industrial automation or healthcare domains.

ロボットミドルウェア学習のためのビジュアルプログラミングツールの開発

ロボットミドルウェア学習のためのビジュアルプログラミングツールの開発

Predicting Breast Cancer Mortality in the Presence of Competing Risks Using Smartphone Application Development Software

The widespread use of smartphone applications (apps) provides a promising new platform for medical research and healthcare decision making. Given the need to help guide clinical discussions about the appropriateness of breast cancer screening in the presence of competing risks among older women, we proposed to incorporate the Fine-Gray prediction model, which offers more intuitive clinical interpretation of risk in the presence of competing risks, into a smartphone-based decision aid application. Clinicians can input the woman’s characteristics and medical history, and the app will output prediction estimates of both types of events (i.e. death from breast cancer and competing risk events) given the presence or absence of breast cancer screening. This prototype was built using drag-and-drop visual programming tools provided by the free, cloud-based software “MIT App Inventor for Android.” It will be intended for clinicians to use in the context of patients’ values to decide whether screening is appropriate for an individual. Our analysis indicated that screening was beneficial to survival, and that older women benefited less from screening due to the increasing incidence of non-breast-cancer competing risk deaths as age increased. The algorithm we implemented for the app provides instant probability estimates that help quantify screening benefits as a function of age, and comorbidity burden.

ФОРМУВАННЯ ІКТ-КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТЕЙ МАЙБУТНЬОГО ВЧИТЕЛЯ ІНФОРМАТИКИ ПОЧАТКОВОЇ ШКОЛИ ЗАСОБАМИ СИСТЕМИ DELPHІ

In article, authors clarified the concept of competence of future teachers of computer science in the elementary school; improved criteria for formation of the ICT competences future teachers of computer science in the elementary school to identify the system ready for use Delphi during process of visual programming in professional activity. We present the model of the formation of the ICT competence future teachers of computer science in the elementary school via visual programming tools, where importance given to the construction of individual learning paths, taking into account individual learning rhythm, because students have different levels of training, they are different in nature perception of information. It is proved that the proposed model will make it possible to carry out training, starting from the result of the educational process at the university, which takes into account the impact of external and internal variables, as well as a feedback mechanism that allows adjustment of the process at different stages. Authors presented developed method of forming ICT competences future teachers of computer science in the elementary school via Delphi tools during learning of visual programming,feature of which is that to present course materials were chosen LMS Moodle platform.

Modular Coordination and BIM: Development of Rule Based Smart Building Components

The introduction of computing tools to Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) industry has enabled the professionals to navigate successfully from traditional design/drafting to Computer Aided Design/Drafting (CADD). Furthermore, the industry is slowly transitioning towards sophisticated Building Information Modelling (BIM), which necessitates the integration of domain specific knowledge into the BIM authoring tools. The approach presented in this paper elucidates the development of rule-based BIM objects which allows a designer to create building models within the rules of Modular Coordination (MC). With this development, a designer will be able to use MC standards to size and locate building objects in a modular reference frame. Integration of rules of MC with BIM authoring tool will enhance the design process and allow designers to automate some complex modelling/documentation activities requiring no design expertise. The development of rule-based BIM objects exploits the parametric modelling capabilities of BIM authoring tools in addition to visual programming tool to automate the modelling process. The research first explains development of rule based BIM objects which is extended to streamline the overall design process. The presented approach discusses the customization of BIM authoring tool for modelling a residential facility in MC using axial planning of structural elements. In the prototype system, the designer is guided by specific rules and constraints while providing sufficient options to develop variegated configuration. The integration of design rules of MC standards with BIM application will be influential to increase radical use of BIM for built environment especially in the prefabrication industry.

VISUAL PROGRAMMING TOOL FOR COMPUTER WITH DATA FLOW COMPUTATION CONTROL

The paper presents the brief overview of the design and implementation of visual programming tool for visual creation of data flow graph (DFG) and its automatic transformation to the program code for computer with the data flow computation control that is designed at the Department of Computers and Informatics of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Kosice.

Design and Realization of Algorithm Visualization Teaching Presentation System on Computer Graphics

Based on the study of abroad foundation on visual theory, we conduct depth discussion of the current introduction of visual teaching meaning. For the current computer graphics course content, we determine a visual teaching content and objectives, carry out the study and practice of computer graphics algorithm visualization teaching. This paper uses VB 6.0 visual programming tool to generate the basic primitives, polygon filling, cut a straight line segment, curve generation and visualization of fractal algorithm design and realization. Through analysis, this paper hold that use of visual teaching has a positive effect and influence for professors to change the way teachers help students understand computer graphics algorithm. In the process of teaching, students improve the understanding, exploration, discovery and creativity through observation, conjecture and verify.

The Implementation of Drawing System Based on MFC

In this paper, through the powerful visual programming tool called VC++ in the MFC library, used to achieve a function mapping system, its functions include drawing and linewidth graphics settings, select and text color for drawing. At the same time, a detailed implementation process of drawing system and function of the drawing system expansion, improves the system openness and practicality.

The Parametric Design and Finite Element Analysis of Wellhead Gate Valve Based on SolidWorks

In this paper, SolidWorks2012 was redeveloped by visual programming tool Visual Basic6.0 to realize the three-dimensional parametric design of wellhead gate valve and the transformation of corresponding engineering drawings on the engineering diagram template. Then the finite element analysis was progressed directly by using the SolidWorks module of the finite element analysis. This can shorten design time of gate valve and improve work efficiency.

REAL TIME DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM FOR THE ECP-EPP PARALLEL PORT BASED ON PIC16F877 MICROCONTROLLER

The design of a simple and low cost 10-bit data acquisition system is presented which makes use of the peripherals of a PIC16F877 microcontroller, interfacing with a personal computer using the extended capabilities of the parallel port. The system is integrated with a visual programming tool based on LabVIEW data acquisition software, which provides design flexibility and real time signal processing capabilities. An optimum assembly code for the PIC microcontroller allows for a free-running mean sampling rate of 100KSps on a Pentium PC running Windows XP OS. This system can be an example of a low cost integrated approach for data acquisition that includes a microcontroller, a personal computer and visual measurement software. The system can be the basis of a A/D interface for many measurement applications and can also be seen as an educational paradigm in itself. An effective and fast DAC solution is also presented in full integration with the microcontroller and the computer parallel port.

Development of the Database of Automobile Exhaust System Products

In order to speed up the design of automobile exhaust system products and improve the quality of products, a set of database software of automobile exhaust system product was developed. The software uses visual programming tools VB 6.0 and relational database SQL server 2005 for design and development, which can realize storage and query of exhaust system product parameter information, geometric model, design scheme, the model and results of numerical calculation, and test plan and results, and implement the parametric design of muffler noise elimination unit and the function of performance evaluation. Enterprise actual test showed that the system can improve the exhaust system of product design and development ability significantly and shorten the design cycle, which produces great economic efficiency.

Mobile app design for teaching and learning: Educators’ experiences in an online graduate course

<p>This research explored how educators with limited programming experiences learned to design mobile apps through peer support and instructor guidance. Educators were positive about the sense of community in this online course. They also considered App Inventor a great web-based visual programming tool for developing useful and fully functioning mobile apps. They had great sense of empowerment through developing unique apps by using App Inventor. They felt their own design work and creative problem solving were inspired by the customized mobile apps shared by peers. The learning activities, including sharing customized apps, providing peer feedback, composing design proposals, and keeping design journals (blogging), complemented each other to support a positive sense of community and form a strong virtual community of learning mobile app design. This study helped reveal the educational value of mobile app design activities and the web-based visual programming tool, and the possibility of teaching/learning mobile app design online. The findings can also encourage educators to explore and experiment on the potential of incorporating these design learning activities in their respective settings, and to develop mobile apps for their diverse needs in teaching and learning.</p>

Design for the Equipment Testing the Capability of Atmosphere of Ventilating Fans and Range Hood

In order to measuring the capability of atmosphere of ventilating fans and range hood, this article offered a measuring system for the capability of wind pressure and air volumes for ventilating fans and range hoods. The measuring method is determining the pressure difference on the two sides of a series of orifices, and then figuring out wind pressure and air volumes to determine the aerodynamics characters. By minicomputer and surveying sensors of the pressure, there are three parameters that must be tested called compressive stress, temperature and power. The data will be input into pc after it is converted by RS-485/RS-232 converter. The system designs an interface with visual programming tool Visual Basic to realize the function of data storage and data display.

A semi-automatic end-user programming approach for smart space application development

This article describes a semi-automatic end-user programming approach that: (i) assists in the creation of easy-to-apply Semantic End-User Application Programming Interfaces(S-APIs) for the APIs of legacy software components; and (ii) enables the usage of S-APIs in command-oriented and goal-oriented end-user application programming. Furthermore, a reference implementation is presented for the approach that provides visual programming tools and an agent-based execution environment for smart space applications. The use of the approach is exemplified and tested in a case study in which S-APIs are created for a home automation system and for a personal assistant application, and then utilized in end-user programming performed in desktop and mobile environments.

Practices of XML-Based Parametric Design and Remote Design

Using XML table as the carrier to data storage and reused calculating for serialization, parameterization, and variation of mechanical parts. Taking the Visual Basic programming tool for secondary development, which has realized the designing style for data loading and data reading of XML table and the driving of the parametric model of mechanical parts in Solidworks. The style realized batch driving for models’ parameters and series, and the application of WEB remote technology realized remote collaborative design and the sharing of model resource. Practice showed, the cooperation of method and the mechanical parts’ model completed products’ structure data of XML table, realized the batch driving of model parameters, enhanced the practical value of the production of the CAD platform, and significantly reduced the workload of parameterized redesign. Model-based reuse and XML table realized the open and scalability for Secondary development of software systems.

Kodu Game Lab: a programming environment

Kodu Game Lab is a tile-based visual programming tool that enables users to learn programming concepts through making and playing computer games. Kodu is a relatively new programming language designed specifically for young children to learn through independent exploration. It is integrated in a real-time isometric 3D gaming environment that is designed to compete with modern console games in terms of intuitive user interface and graphical production values.

Soil Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit Treating System Based on Analytic Method

According to two present China national standards, a software as Soil Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit Data Treating System, with analytic method, was developed using object-oriented visual programming tool. The analytic method used in the developed system was different to traditional method of treating soil liquid limit and plastic limit data. N-S algorithm flowchart demonstrated that switch statement and condition statement were taken as main algorithm and second level select nested structure was taken as main frame for the developed system. Three kinds of soil specimens were tested with liquid and plastic limit combined test and the test data was treated with graphic method, Excel software and Soil Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit Data Treating System. The comparative conclusion indicated that Soil Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit Data Treating System improved efficiency and accuracy evidently for treating soil liquid and plastic limit data and had advantages of easy operation and high reliability.