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Teaching programming to young learners using Scala and Kojo

Regnell, Björn LU orcid and Pant, Lalit (2014) LTH:s 8:e pedagogiska inspirationskonferens, 2014 8.
Abstract
This paper presents an approach to teaching programming and abstract thinking to young learners using Scala and Kojo. Kojo is an open source IDE for the Scala programming language. The approach is based on Scala APIs for turtle graphics and functional pictures, a process of interactive exploration and discovery, and structured learning material that guides learners. The approach encourages playful self-learning of basic programming principles such as sequential execution, repetition, primitives, composition, abstraction, parametrized abstraction, and nested abstractions. It also includes tools to help children read and understand programs. Results from the use of Kojo and Scala in the teaching of young learners in Sweden and India are... (More)
This paper presents an approach to teaching programming and abstract thinking to young learners using Scala and Kojo. Kojo is an open source IDE for the Scala programming language. The approach is based on Scala APIs for turtle graphics and functional pictures, a process of interactive exploration and discovery, and structured learning material that guides learners. The approach encourages playful self-learning of basic programming principles such as sequential execution, repetition, primitives, composition, abstraction, parametrized abstraction, and nested abstractions. It also includes tools to help children read and understand programs. Results from the use of Kojo and Scala in the teaching of young learners in Sweden and India are presented, along with a discussion of experiences and future development. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
computer science education, first language, Scala, Kojo, turtle graphics, functional picture graphics
categories
Higher Education
host publication
LTHs Pedagogiska Inspirationskonferens
volume
8
pages
4 pages
publisher
Lund University
conference name
LTH:s 8:e pedagogiska inspirationskonferens, 2014
conference location
Lund, Sweden
conference dates
2014-12-17 - 2014-12-17
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
251806ee-8c6c-4e98-a56d-7dfc877d9d08 (old id 4780249)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 11:37:50
date last changed
2025-04-04 14:14:56
@inproceedings{251806ee-8c6c-4e98-a56d-7dfc877d9d08,
  abstract     = {{This paper presents an approach to teaching programming and abstract thinking to young learners using Scala and Kojo. Kojo is an open source IDE for the Scala programming language. The approach is based on Scala APIs for turtle graphics and functional pictures, a process of interactive exploration and discovery, and structured learning material that guides learners. The approach encourages playful self-learning of basic programming principles such as sequential execution, repetition, primitives, composition, abstraction, parametrized abstraction, and nested abstractions. It also includes tools to help children read and understand programs. Results from the use of Kojo and Scala in the teaching of young learners in Sweden and India are presented, along with a discussion of experiences and future development.}},
  author       = {{Regnell, Björn and Pant, Lalit}},
  booktitle    = {{LTHs Pedagogiska Inspirationskonferens}},
  keywords     = {{computer science education; first language; Scala; Kojo; turtle graphics; functional picture graphics}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Lund University}},
  title        = {{Teaching programming to young learners using Scala and Kojo}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/5818581/4780255.pdf}},
  volume       = {{8}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}