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Cited by 82Teaching and Learning ProgrammingEducational Robotics and EngineeringChild Development and Digital Technology

A Tangible Programming Tool for Children to Cultivate Computational Thinking

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Wang, Danli, Wang, Tingting, Liu, Zhen·2014·The Scientific World Journal
DOI 10.1155/2014/428080PMC PMC3956636
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Abstract

Game and creation are activities which have good potential for computational thinking skills. In this paper we present T-Maze, an economical tangible programming tool for children aged 5–9 to build computer programs in maze games by placing wooden blocks. Through the use of computer vision technology, T-Maze provides a live programming interface with real-time graphical and voice feedback. We conducted a user study with 7 children using T-Maze to play two levels of maze-escape games and create their own mazes. The results show that T-Maze is not only easy to use, but also has the potential to help children cultivate computational thinking like abstraction, problem decomposition, and creativity.

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Authors
Wang, D., Wang, T., & Liu, Z.
Affiliations
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
  • Chongqing Medicine Exchange Co., Ltd., Chongqing 404100, China
Corresponding author
Wang, Danli
ORCID
Venue
The Scientific World Journal
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2014
Volume
2014
Pages
1-10
ISSN
  • 1537-744X (ISSN-L)
  • 2356-6140
DOI
10.1155/2014/428080
PMC
PMC3956636
OpenAlex
W2023924594
Cited by
82
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3
FWCI
4.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • The Scientific World JOURNAL (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (60970090, 61272325, 2013CB328805, 2012YS04, 2012BAH19F01)
  • Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (60970090, 61272325, 2013CB328805, 2012YS04, 2012BAH19F01)
  • Cooperation Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Foshan City (60970090, 61272325, 2013CB328805, 2012YS04, 2012BAH19F01)
  • National Science and Technology Supported Program (60970090, 61272325, 2013CB328805, 2012YS04, 2012BAH19F01)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Science Applications › Teaching and Learning Programming
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Educational Robotics and Engineering
  • Social Sciences › Education › Child Development and Digital Technology
Keywords
tangible programming, computational thinking, children, maze game, wooden blocks, computer vision, voice feedback, abstraction, problem decomposition, creativity, game-based learning, T-maze
MeSH terms
Child, Child, Preschool, Creativity, Female, Humans, Male, Problem Solving, Software, Thinking, User-Computer Interface, Video Games, Nontherapeutic Human Experimentation, Feedback, Sensory

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