Building on Blocks
Amjad Altadmri, Neil C. C. Brown · 2016
Blocks-based programming has become a very popular technology for teaching introductory programming in schools, but it still faces some issues as learners progress. The large transition gap between blocks-based and text-based programming is a source of worry for many educators. However, the difficulties learners have with developing and maintaining progressively larger and more complex programs in block-based systems force teachers to move students on to text-based systems rather than remain with blocks. Greenfoot 3 introduces frame-based programming, a hybrid of blocks-based and text-based programming. Frame-based programming adds comprehensive keyboard support, along with several other usability improvements aimed at removing frustrations for intermediate and experienced programmers, while also providing a way to fill the gap in the transition process.