Iconic programming for flowcharts, java, turing, etc

ABSTRACT

One of the largest barriers to learning programming is the precise and complex syntax required to write programs. This barrier is a key impediment to the integration of programming into the core curriculum of general high school science courses - there is not enough time to learn both syntax and programming in a three-week course module. The newly developed "Iconic Programmer" allows executable programs to be written through mouse clicks and menus, includes symbol by symbol translation into Java and Turing, and comes complete with a three-week lesson plan suitable to new programmers. To date, the new tool has been used effectively with full-semester, introductory programming courses at both the university and high school level.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education

General Terms:
Human Factors

Keywords:
CS0, CS1, high school programming, non-majors, visualization tools