UDOO App Inventor: Introducing Novices to the Internet of Things

Abstract

This paper describes the opportunities provided by the new graphical tool UDOO App Inventor UAPPI for enhancing the programming learning experience. With this tool, coding and programming are no longer limited to screen pixels but will incorporate real objects in the physical world. The aim of the authors' research is to develop new tools for coding alphabetization, by focusing on live programming, event programming, physical computing and overcoming syntax obstacles by using blocks programming. They describe two simple Research through Design case studies carried out with different categories of attendees in order to illustrate the potential of the UAPPI platform. In the first case, the authors render a door interactive, while in the second, they build a simple rover.