Timcenko O. (2007)
Example of Using Narratives in Teaching Programming: Roles of Variables
J. Sajaniemi, M. Tukiainen, R. Bednarik, S. Nevalainen (eds.) Proceedings of the 19th Annual Workshop of the Psychology of Programming Interest Group (PPIG07), Joensuu, Finland, July, 2007. International Proceedings Series 7, University of Joensuu, Department of Computer Science and Statistics, 185-200.
Abstract: This paper describes a case study of using narratives to motivate non-technology inclined children, 11-15 years old, to learn programming, using LEGO Mindstorms robots and RoboLab graphical programming language. Case study was done during 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 school years, following two different school teams participating in FIRST LEGO League competitions. Using narrative concept and a concept of roles of variables, it was possible to explain several searching and sorting algorithms to children, including an algorithm of finding minimal/maximal value from the set of input values. Results are encouraging and could be generalized to other programming languages but RoboLab.
Last updated: August 6, 2007