Yuhan Lin
University of Maryland Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership Doctoral Student
E-mail:jimmylin@umd.edu
David Weintrop
University of Maryland Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership Assistant Professor
E-mail:weintrop@umd.edu
Jason McKenna
VEX Robotics Director of Global Educational Strategy
E-mail:jason@vex.com
Mudi Luo
Tamkang University Department of Educational Technology Master Student
E-mail:607734018@gms.tku.edu.tw
Abstract
This paper presents VEX123, a robot and accompanying programming tools, designed for young students (ages 5-8). VEX123 supports programming via three distinct methods designed to support young students at their programming journey. Students can program VEX123 by: (1) directly pressing buttons on it; (2) using a physical Coder and Coder Cards to define a sequence of instructions; (3) authoring programs with a block-based programming language on a tablet or computer. In this paper, we present findings from a pilot study using VEX123 in an elementary classroom. Students from the pilot study have both used pressing buttons and using the Coder Cards. This work introduces a new programming tool and a novel programming paradigm to the literature on how to introduce youth to programming.
Keywords :Education Robotics, Block-based programming, Human Computer Interaction