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 introduces Switch mode, a design strategy to introduce a middle ground to support learners in transitioning from block-based to text-based programming. The Switch mode strategy allows learners to author text-based commands inside a blockbased programs. Switch mode blocks can be added by directly dragging and dropping Switch mode blocks from the block’s pallet to the program canvas (Figure 1a) or by right clicking a conventional block and selecting the convert option (Figure 1b). In embedding a scaffolded way to introduce text-based programming in a blocks-based environment, Switch mode can meet the user at their current level of ability in blocks, while also help them move to more sophisticated and powerful programming languages. In providing a means for learns to tinker with text-based programming while still having the supports of block-based tools, Switch mode contributes a novel addition to the growing ecosystem of tools designed to transit novices to the practice of text-based programming.
Keywords :Design of Programming Environments, Educational Robotics, Block-based programming, Switch mode, Text-based programming