An open source graphical robot programming environment in introductory programming curriculum for undergraduates

Abstract

A graphical programming tool is developed in a view to help beginners realize the importance of coding in the form of physical robotic movement. Introducing a programming language to students with no background is often felt to be challenging in terms of syntax and control flow of a language. The paper discusses an open source graphical programming tool built on Minibloq platform that allows students to focus more on creative part of programming. The paper proposes a graphical approach to programming where a student need not remember any constructs of a programming language, but relies on the approach to solve a problem. The programming utility is developed for an open source Arduino platform. Currently the tool is developed to control a real robot built around Arduino platform. Thus a platform to learn fundamentals of programming as well as robotics is made available to students. The graphical programming tool with the robotic hardware was found to be easy to learn by high school students during an outreach program conducted by the authors. The framework is also extendable beyond programming and can be further developed to understand robotics.

Student Log Analysis Functions for Web-based Programming Education Support Tool pgtracer

“…There is another programming education tool [5] which utilizes visual programming for novices. However the tool does not analyze learning process and achievement of the students.…”

15‐year educational experience on autonomous electronic information devices by flipped classroom and try‐by‐yourself methods

“…Only one lecture has asked students to choose the processor architecture [58]. Some professors implement a meta-environment to simplify programming [59][60][61]. Evidently, the pros and cons of the policy are 'freedom or easiness'; students can choose any technology that best fits their existing skills; and students must create their own build-world by themselves (hereby the students follow the same method that the professor showed during the lecture.).…”

The ArmarX Statechart Concept: Graphical Programing of Robot Behavior

“…Since writing software is one of the main challenges in robotics for beginners, such as students, Graphical Robot Programing offers a great entry point. It removes the obstacle presented by syntax and control flow of a conventional programing language (Rahul et al, 2014). Graphical software development often combines complexity hiding by connecting modular components on a macroscopic scale with the option to write low-level software, facilitating control tasks on joint level or performing motions in Cartesian space (Pot et al, 2009).…”