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TunePad: Computational Thinking Through Sound Composition

Published:27 June 2017Publication History

ABSTRACT

Computational thinking skills will be important for the next generation of students. However, there is a disparity in the populations joining the field. Integrating computational thinking into artistic fields has shown to increase participation in computer science. In this paper, we present our initial design prototype for TunePad, a sound composition tablet application controlled by a block-based programming environment. TunePad is designed to introduce learners to computational thinking and to prepare them for text-based coding environments. From our preliminary testing, with children ages 7-14, we observed that our design actively engages learners and communicates how the programming blocks control the sounds being played. This testing is a prelude to more formal studies as we continue to improve the design and interface of TunePad. With this work, we intend to engage students in computational thinking who may not have otherwise been exposed, giving the opportunity to more people to enter the computer science field.

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          • Published in

            cover image ACM Conferences
            IDC '17: Proceedings of the 2017 Conference on Interaction Design and Children
            June 2017
            808 pages
            ISBN:9781450349215
            DOI:10.1145/3078072

            Copyright © 2017 Owner/Author

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            Association for Computing Machinery

            New York, NY, United States

            Publication History

            • Published: 27 June 2017

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            IDC '17 Paper Acceptance Rate25of118submissions,21%Overall Acceptance Rate172of578submissions,30%

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