Algorithmic Bricks: A tangible robot programming tool for elementary school students

Dai Young Kwon; Han Sung Kim; Jae Kwoun Shim; Won Gyu Lee

doi:10.1109/TE.2012.2190071

Algorithmic Bricks: A tangible robot programming tool for elementary school students

Dai Young Kwon, Han Sung Kim, Jae Kwoun Shim, Won Gyu Lee

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

39 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Tangible programming tools enable children to easily learn the programming process, previously considered to be difficult for them. While various tangible programming tools have been developed, there is still a lack of available tools to help students experience the general programming process. This study therefore developed a tool called Algorithmic Bricks (A-Bricks), to improve the programming language experience by considering and utilizing characteristics of procedural language. Specifically, elements such as sequence, repetition, condition, function, and parameter were used to develop A-Bricks. In addition, this study observed the benefits of A-Bricks and confirmed its potential as a tangible educational programming tool by comparing and analyzing elementary school students using A-Bricks to control groups using Scratch.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	474-479
Number of pages	6
Journal	IEEE Transactions on Education
Volume	55
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/TE.2012.2190071
Publication status	Published - 2012 Nov

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Manuscript received September 29, 2011; revised November 30, 2011; accepted February 02, 2012. Date of publication March 21, 2012; date of current version October 26, 2012. This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea under a Grant NRF-2011-358-B00037 funded by the Korean Government.

Keywords

Computer science education
Educational robot
Procedural programming
Tangible user interface

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Education
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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10.1109/TE.2012.2190071

Cite this

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title = "Algorithmic Bricks: A tangible robot programming tool for elementary school students",

abstract = "Tangible programming tools enable children to easily learn the programming process, previously considered to be difficult for them. While various tangible programming tools have been developed, there is still a lack of available tools to help students experience the general programming process. This study therefore developed a tool called Algorithmic Bricks (A-Bricks), to improve the programming language experience by considering and utilizing characteristics of procedural language. Specifically, elements such as sequence, repetition, condition, function, and parameter were used to develop A-Bricks. In addition, this study observed the benefits of A-Bricks and confirmed its potential as a tangible educational programming tool by comparing and analyzing elementary school students using A-Bricks to control groups using Scratch.",

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note = "Funding Information: Manuscript received September 29, 2011; revised November 30, 2011; accepted February 02, 2012. Date of publication March 21, 2012; date of current version October 26, 2012. This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea under a Grant NRF-2011-358-B00037 funded by the Korean Government.",

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AU - Shim, Jae Kwoun

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N1 - Funding Information: Manuscript received September 29, 2011; revised November 30, 2011; accepted February 02, 2012. Date of publication March 21, 2012; date of current version October 26, 2012. This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea under a Grant NRF-2011-358-B00037 funded by the Korean Government.

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N2 - Tangible programming tools enable children to easily learn the programming process, previously considered to be difficult for them. While various tangible programming tools have been developed, there is still a lack of available tools to help students experience the general programming process. This study therefore developed a tool called Algorithmic Bricks (A-Bricks), to improve the programming language experience by considering and utilizing characteristics of procedural language. Specifically, elements such as sequence, repetition, condition, function, and parameter were used to develop A-Bricks. In addition, this study observed the benefits of A-Bricks and confirmed its potential as a tangible educational programming tool by comparing and analyzing elementary school students using A-Bricks to control groups using Scratch.

AB - Tangible programming tools enable children to easily learn the programming process, previously considered to be difficult for them. While various tangible programming tools have been developed, there is still a lack of available tools to help students experience the general programming process. This study therefore developed a tool called Algorithmic Bricks (A-Bricks), to improve the programming language experience by considering and utilizing characteristics of procedural language. Specifically, elements such as sequence, repetition, condition, function, and parameter were used to develop A-Bricks. In addition, this study observed the benefits of A-Bricks and confirmed its potential as a tangible educational programming tool by comparing and analyzing elementary school students using A-Bricks to control groups using Scratch.

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Algorithmic Bricks: A tangible robot programming tool for elementary school students

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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