Designing Tools to Support Advanced Computing Topics in K-12 Classrooms

Abstract

Despite the growing importance of distributed computing, embedded systems, and the Internet of Things (IoT), these topics are rarely taught in K-12 education. Traditional tools for introducing these branches of computer science are often too complex and/or require costly and delicate hardware that many schools cannot afford to purchase and maintain. As a result, K-12 students have limited opportunities to engage with these advanced computing concepts in a hands-on, accessible way. This dissertation introduces three educational tools designed to address these challenges. NetsBlox32 is a low-cost IoT-enabled microcontroller platform that integrates with NetsBlox, an existing block-based programming environment focused on accessible distributed computing, allowing students to build and program networked embedded systems using simple block-based abstractions. PhoneIoT is a free mobile app which turns students’ own smartphones into interactive IoT devices which can be accessed through NetsBlox, providing a familiar and accessible entry point to networked sensing. Finally, PyBlox is a transitional platform which allows students to smoothly “graduate” out of block-based programming into text-based programming in Python while still retaining all of NetsBlox’s simple and accessible distributed computing abstractions, as well as many of the features and affordances of modern block-based programming. By leveraging various aspects such as visual programming, intuitive design, and low-cost hardware, these tools lower the barrier to advanced computing topics, making them more accessible and engaging for K-12 students.