Tunepad: Computational thinking through sound composition

Jamie Gorson, Nikita Patel, Elham Beheshti, Brian Magerko, Michael Horn

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Computational thinking skills will be important for the next generation of students. However, there is a disparity in the populations joining the field. Integrating computational thinking into artistic fields has shown to increase participation in computer science. In this paper, we present our initial design prototype for TunePad, a sound composition tablet application controlled by a block-based programming environment. TunePad is designed to introduce learners to computational thinking and to prepare them for textbased coding environments. From our preliminary testing, with children ages 7-14, we observed that our design actively engages learners and communicates how the programming blocks control the sounds being played. This testing is a prelude to more formal studies as we continue to improve the design and interface of TunePad. With this work, we intend to engage students in computational thinking who may not have otherwise been exposed, giving the opportunity to more people to enter the computer science field.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationIDC 2017 - Proceedings of the 2017 ACM Conference on Interaction Design and Children
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery, Inc
Pages484-489
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781450349215
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 27 2017
Event16th International ACM Conference on Interaction Design and Children, IDC 2017 - Stanford, United States
Duration: Jun 27 2017Jun 30 2017

Publication series

NameIDC 2017 - Proceedings of the 2017 ACM Conference on Interaction Design and Children

Other

Other16th International ACM Conference on Interaction Design and Children, IDC 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityStanford
Period6/27/176/30/17

Keywords

  • Broadening participation
  • Computational thinking
  • Cs education
  • Music composition
  • Steam

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software
  • Education
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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