Proposals

Instructional Technology Conference 2009

Title: Using Alice to Create Animations and to Introduce Programming

Name: Brenda Parker

Audience: All

Length: 30-45 Minutes

Abstract: Many agree that programming is the new computer literacy1. Therefore, to prepare the next generation of students to enter the technological literate workforce, students should be exposed to the concept of programming at an early age. Alice is a free, easy to use program designed to introduce students to the concept of programming by easily producing animations in 3D. Alice details will be presented along with suggestions for its use in various classroom environments. 1http://www.edutopia.org/programming-the-new-literacy

Description: In order for Tennessee and area states to meet the rising technological demands of the future, educators must prepare the next generation of students to enter the technological literate workforce. A major part of that workforce according to Marc Prensky's article "Programming: The New Literacy"; 1 will involve knowing how to program to some degree. Statistics indicate that if students (especially girls) are not won over to certain disciplines by the 8th grade they are lost. Therefore, it appears that introducing middle school and secondary teachers and students to programming can help prepare students for the future and also result in helping students understand what programming is all about and introduce the computer science discipline. The Alice program is a fun and easy way to introduce students to the programming world. In Alice, users construct programs by using drag and drop features to produce 3D animations. Alice is freely available from Carnegie Melon University and its use in the classroom can have a great impact on encouraging students to pursue technological fields.

An Alice workshop was recently held at Middle Tennessee State University by the computer science department. Twenty-three interested middle school science and math teachers attended the all day workshop. Participants actively participated in the workshop by learning to use Alice and building short Alice animations. Details of this workshop will be presented along with details of how to obtain and use the Alice programming environment. 1http://www.edutopia.org/programming-the-new-literacy

Session Type: Lecture/Presentation

On-Site Equipment Requirements: computer with overhead projection of the screen

Contact Information/Affiliation:
Brenda Parker
Associate Professor
Middle Tennessee State University
csbrenda@mtsu.edu
P. O. Box 212 - MTSU
Murfreesboro TN 37132