Measuring an Impact of Block-Based Language in Introductory Programming

Abstract

The use of block-based visual language in introductory programming is a popular method in education. However, there is little research which provides evidence showing advantages of block-based language. This paper presents the results of learning data analysis with fine grain logs recorded by students' development environment where the students can select their language in block-based or Java. A total of 400+ students' logs collected each of four years were analyzed. The results show that migration from Block to Java can be consistently seen each year, although the whole block-editing rate was influenced by the method of the instructor's introduction. Though block-editing did not affect working time and Lines of Code (LOC), it could reduce the compile error correction time, whereas using Java requires approximately 20% of compile error correction time for students. We concluded that block-based language worked to encourage students to focus high-level algorithm creation, as well as it provides an advantage to understanding text-based language.

A Demonstration of Evidence-Based Action Research Using Information Dashboard in Introductory Programming Education

“…Similar analyses to those of BlockEditor's research [9] were discussed. During the current year there were a few compulsory assignments using BlockEditor, although the results indicated a low BlockEditor usage ratio even during the early weeks of the course.…”

“…This section will provide a brief description of the information dashboard which is designed for teachers to improve an introductory programming class, by providing coding metrics [9] to show the engagement of students in their assignments. The whole view of the dashboard is shown below in Fig 1. According to Few [22], an information dashboard can be defined as follows:…”

“…The first generation of research in the 2000s was limited to simple analysis such as compilation error occurrences profiles analysis (e.g. [7]), although recently fine-grained log analysis has increasingly revealed the actual efforts for student assignments [8], or measuring the impact of block-based language [9].…”

DSCBlocks: An Open-Source Platform for Learning Embedded Systems Based on Algorithm Visualizations and Digital Signal Controllers

“…In [26], a study to measure the impact of block-based languages in introductory programming is tackled. The author proposed a method known as Bidirectional Translation System where the students alternate between block-based and textual languages.…”

“…During 2017-II and 2018-I, the students employed the platform in different types of tasks into the curriculum of the microcontrollers with an average class time of 2 h per week during 15 weeks. The class sessions varied between the usage of the developed block-based language with the platform and text-based programming with MPLABX IDE [47] in a similar process mentioned by the authors of [15,26].…”