3D graphics environment

Focuses on Object Oriented Programming

Provides immediate feedback through program visualizations

Contains a drag-and-drop editor, preventing most syntax errors

Tools that use visualization to make program code easier to ◦ write◦ read◦ understand◦ debug

Uses colors and indentation

Allows students to learn computer programming more easily◦ No syntax errors◦ Drag-and-Drop editor for creating programs◦ Programs are 3D movies or games

Alice is highly motivating for students

Provided free (open source) by Carnegie Mellon

Runs on

Makes objects something students can see and relate to

http://www.cra.org/resources/crn-archive-view-detail/undergraduate_cs_degree_production_rises_doctoral_production_steady

Education and psychology research shows evidence of three basic learning styles.◦ visual ◦ auditory ◦ kinesthetic

For most of us, one style is generally dominant.◦ Some researchers believe that visual is likely

the dominant style for the largest % of the population.

Frustrating syntax and errors % ( , ) ;◦ Arithmetic operators i.e. % ==◦ Statement separators i.e. ; , ( ) { }◦ Specialized vocabulary i.e. this

Abstract concepts Hidden data Boring Lack of creativity

Teach fundamental programming concepts to beginning programmers.

Improve retention of first-year computing majors and attract more students to computing and computing-related majors.

Problem Solution

Frustrating syntax

Abstract concepts Hidden data Boring

Drag & Drop interface

3D Graphics & Animation◦ Program visualization

Begin with a story

Appeal◦ Storytelling

particularly young women & minority students◦ Interactive computer games

particularly young men◦ Visual, not threatening

builds students’ confidence

Can be interdisciplinary

www.aliceprogramming.net

◦ syllabi/calendars◦ lectures◦ labs◦ assignments◦ sample worlds (programs)◦ sample exams◦ sample projects

Alice += Java

For Alice 3

More than 1 million downloads per year

19% of US universities are teaching with Alice

◦ There are roughly 3,700 U.S. colleges

3,000 High Schools teachers are using Alice

◦ Approximately 32,000 high schools in the US

3.5 million page views 528,000 unique visitors 158,000 IP addresses performed 440,540 downloads

of the system

linux1%

windows90%

macintosh9%

Source: Prentice Hall sales figures

Organizing Structure for the Computer Science Standards

K-12 undergraduate

K - 5 6 - 8 9 - 10 11-12, first year college / university

K - 5 6 - 8 9 - 11 12- university

SequenceSimple control structuresRelational operations

Problem SolvingObjectsMethodsFunctionsLogicStoryboardsOnline Safety

Problem SolvingAbstractionDataVariablesControl StructuresCommunication and Ethics2D vs. 3D3D models

Problem SolvingClassesObjectsMethods (Procedural and Functional)AlgorithmsScopeEncapsulationInheritancePolymorphism

K - 5 6 - 8 9 - 11 12- university

Looking GlassScratchLogoNotepadPaintInternet browsers others…

Alice 2Storytelling AliceScratchGimpHTML others …

Alice 3 3D modeling (Blender) others …

Alice 3 JavaGreenfootBlueJPythonOthers…