First steps in creative computational thinking with natural language programming and Lego MINDSTORMS
Geoffrey D. Falk, Keith Leonard Mannock · BIROn (Birkbeck, University of London) · 2018
We describe the design and implementation of a prototype Android application to help promote the development of creative computational thinking in the UK Key Stage 1 and 2 classroom. The system is based on the combination of a natural language interface and Lego MINDSTORMS robots [1], focussing on engaging children and teachers who would not naturally be interested in computer programming. The prototype was tested with groups of children at local schools. We describe the stages of development for the application and test results. The paper concludes with a brief comparison of other programming applications, and suggests ways forward for the further development of this work.