Getting Kids Into Computer Programming

Computers used to keep businesses on track, assist doctors with complicated surgeries, and even develop life-saving combinations of drugs. The demand for computer programmers has never been greater, yet

Monday, October 22nd 2007, 5:24 pm

By: News On 6


Computers used to keep businesses on track, assist doctors with complicated surgeries, and even develop life-saving combinations of drugs. The demand for computer programmers has never been greater, yet there has been a 50% drop in the number of computer science majors over the past seven years. News On 6 anchor Jennifer Loren reports, a new program uses the lure of animated movies to entice young students.

How do you light a fire under an aspiring student? You have to find a way to make it fun. Computer scientists at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new way to teach the basics of computer programming. It’s call Alice. Instead of using Java the computer language with lots of numbers and punctuation, Alice relies on three dimensional figures placed in a storyline.

"We like to refer to it as Pixar in your garage. It's 3-D characters, but it's obviously low-budget,” said Randy Pausch, director of the Alice Project.

Users manipulate their computer mouse to select from a gallery of 700 characters and backgrounds. Next, they choose their character’s movements, using a pull-down menu. Researchers say Alice is a perfect way to engage preteens, especially girls.

"To really have a substantial impact on the number of female students that end up in computer science you really have to reach them no later than middle school," said Caitlin Kelleher, PhD in Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University.

For 12-year-old Lucy Gabriel, Alice made her computer class the highlight of her school day.

"I like designing the characters and making them look funny, or making them look the way I want them to look,” said student Lucy Gabriel.

"It's almost sinister in the fact that they're programming, but they don't know it,” added Laurie Heinricher of Winchester Thurston Middle School.

The developers of Alice give the software away as a free download. They’re hoping someday Alice sparks enough interest in computer programming to increase their ranks.

They say they don’t know how many schools are using the product to teach computer programming, but they say there have been more than a half-million downloads.

To learn more, click here.

Watch the video: Getting Kids Into Computer Programming
logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

October 22nd, 2007

September 29th, 2024

September 17th, 2024

July 4th, 2024

Top Headlines

December 14th, 2024

December 14th, 2024

December 14th, 2024

December 14th, 2024