Kindergarten Programming Goes Mobile: Should The Next Years Be About Ubiquity?

Abstract

Over the past 50 years, since the introduction of the programmable floor turtle, the dyad learning /programming environment underwent several transformations. Each transformation brought about new questions regarding children's understanding, learning and programming performance. This paper describes results from a preliminary study analyzing the current transformation from desktop to mobile-based learning/programming by kindergarten children. Observations of children's performance and semi structured interviews with teachers were conducted. The findings unveiled three key themes, namely, changes in programmers' perspectives, changes in foci and learning patterns in different programming modes, and changes in patterns of collaboration among peers. The preliminary findings serve as basis for planning further systematic research on the design of mobile-based programming environments for kindergarten children.