Title: Visual programming and computational thinking environments for K-9 education: a systematic literature review

Authors: Dimitrios Trakosas; Christina Tikva; Efthimios Tambouris

Addresses: University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia Street, GR-546 36 Thessaloniki, Greece ' University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia Street, GR-546 36 Thessaloniki, Greece ' University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia Street, GR-546 36 Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract: Teaching programming and computational thinking to young students has gained increasing attention in recent years. This great attention is attributed partially to the emergence of easy-to-use visual programming environments. These environments help students focus on the logic and concepts of programming and at the same time enhance their engagement. It has been shown that the characteristics of visual programming environments influence students' engagement with programming. However, there is still no systematic investigation of these characteristics. This study aims to provide insights on the characteristics of visual programming environments for K-9 education based on a systematic literature review of 83 empirical studies on K-9 teaching and learning programming. These characteristics are analysed based on the following four levels: a) functional features; b) student experience; c) teacher experience; d) disadvantages. Finally, herein we discuss the features that a programming environment for K-9 education could have to improve the experience of students and teachers.

Keywords: visual programming environments; computational thinking environments; K-9 education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLT.2023.131313

International Journal of Learning Technology, 2023 Vol.18 No.1, pp.94 - 121

Received: 21 Jan 2022
Received in revised form: 26 Apr 2022
Accepted: 18 Jul 2022
Published online: 06 Jun 2023 *