Fun Learning Stagecast Creator: An Exercise in Minimalism and Collaboration
Proc. IEEE CS Int'l Sym. on Human-Centric Computing
Languages and Environments, page 177. Los Alamitos, CA, USA, IEEE Computer Society, (2002)DOI: 10.1109/HCC.2002.1046370
Abstract
We are attempting to create a cross-generational learning community
who will work together to design, construct, and discuss simulations
of community topics. The simulations are built with Stagecast Creator,
a state-of-the art visual programming environment 12. As part of
this larger project, we have developed minimalist training materials
for middle school students. This paper reports a formative evaluation
of these training materials, in which groups of students worked together
on two related tutorial modules. In general the students were successful
in their work with Creator, needing little aid from the experimenters,
and showing evidence of enjoyment. Our aim is to develop materials
that will attract participation and enable students to spend their
free time and play with this environment, and as a by-product of
having fun, learn more about visual programming.
