The Convergence of Graphical Programming and Text Processing Starlogo Tng: the Convergence of Graphical Programming and Text Processing

StarLogo TNG is a robust graphical programming environment for secondary students. Despite the educational advantages of graphical programming, TNG has sustained criticism from some who object to the exclusion of a textual language. Recognizing the benefits of text processing and the power of controlling software with a keyboard, I sought to incorporate text-processing techniques into TNG’s graphical language. The key component of this work is an innovation dubbed “Typeblocking,” by which users construct block code through the use of a keyboard. Thesis Supervisor: Eric Klopfer Title: Director, MIT Teacher Education Program