The Current Landscape of Block-Based Programming Environments

• In Event: Computers and Learning: Programming and Computational Thinking

Abstract

Blocks-based programming environments (BBPE) have become increasingly commonplace in both formal and informal settings. Research is finding that BBPEs are easier for novice programmers and one of the most popular BBPEs, Scratch, has influenced many Scratch-inspired environments. However, the overall scope and diversity of the landscape of BBPEs and the various ways that BBPEs are seeking to support the transition to text-based programming environments (TBPE) have not been systematically cataloged. This work seeks to map out the current landscape of BBPEs and identify different relationships between BBPE and TBPE.

Authors

• Yuhan Lin, University of Maryland

• David Weintrop, University of Maryland - College Park