PPIG 2014 - 25th Annual Workshop
Educational Programming Languages: The Motivation to Learn with Sonic Pi
Arabella Jane Sinclair
Abstract: This work explores the differences in novice users experiences when learning a simplified variant of the Ruby programming language for the first time. Sonic Pi and Kids Ruby both aim to teach users via a media-oriented set of programming exercises and environment, on the premise that this accessible domain will motivate novice learners. Users retention of the language and interaction style with each environment were measured and the results indicate that Sonic Pi facilitates a greater level of user experimentation and concept retention.