Title: Teaching basic of programming with the elements of Scratch - evaluation of VBA programming course for logistics students

Authors: Łukasz Wiechetek

Addresses: Department of Management Information Systems, Faculty of Economics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Lublin, Poland

Abstract: Digital nations have become dependent on computer applications. One of the most important part of literacy in today's word are the basics of computer applications development and usage. Programming seems to be difficult to learn, therefore, several educational programming languages were developed, so that more people could develop the applications. Modern technologies mean that computer programming is not a skill reserved only for a small group of specialists. Programmers can become people of different ages and interests. The article addresses the problem of basic programming courses for non-computer science students. Its aim is to present the role of visual programming languages in encouraging university students to create algorithms and start programming. The research allows to conclude that Scratch makes introduction to programming more enjoyable, helps to concentrate on the problem and the business process. The comparative analysis showed also differences between groups of students.

Keywords: learning; Scratch; basics of programming; IT teaching; programming course; logistics students; visual programming; survey; evaluation; digital society; Visual Basic for Applications; VBA; quantitative analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2020.108972

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2020 Vol.28 No.2, pp.239 - 261

Received: 01 May 2019
Accepted: 27 Jun 2019
Published online: 12 Aug 2020 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article