Mulspren: A Multiple Language Simulation Programming Environment

Abstract

This paper describes a visual programming environment for children: Mulspren. Unlike many conventional visual programming environments, Mulspren users program using two languages: an English-like language and a conventional programming language. We believe that showing multiple representations of a program, combined with good program visualisation support, will help children create a good mental model of conventional programming constructs. This model may be helpful later in life when they have to modify programs written in conventional languages, for example Visual Basic or Microsoft Word macros.