Computer science (CS) in middle schools
Leading team
Prof. Mordechai Ben-Ari
Prof. Michal Armoni
Postdocs and students
Rivka Taub (no longer with the project)
Dr. Orni Meerbaum-Salant (no longer with the project)
Fatima Kaloti-Hallak (no longer with the project)
R&D team
Dr. Ronit Ben-Bassat Levy
Summary
We developed an introductory CS course based upon MIT’s Scratch visual programming environment. Research showed that students do not develop viable CS knowledge using Scratch unless it is explicitly taught, but that Scratch facilitates the learning of standard programming languages later in high schools. We are currently investigating the use of Scratch to teach subjects like physics and biology in middle schools.
Related articles
- O. Meerbaum-Salant, M. Armoni, M. Ben-Ari. Learning computer science concepts with Scratch. Computer Science Education, 2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08993408.2013.832022
- R. Ben-Bassat Levy, M. Ben-Ari. Scratch in the Service of Science Education. Scratch Conference, Barcelona, Spain, July, 2013.
http://scratch2013bcn.org/node/171