Tangicons: algorithmic reasoning in a collaborative game for children in kindergarten and first class

In this paper, we describe the use of Tangicons, nonelectronic physical programming cubes for kindergarten and first grade children. Tangicons have been developed with the help of kindergarten children during various sessions of observing, playing and talking to them. Most tangible computing environments are too complex for young children. We developed an appropriate educational environment on a pedagogical basis resulting in easy to use tangible bricks, integrated in a physical game. Tangicons are haptic programmable bricks for programming a sequence of operations. Their symbol design is related to real world objects. With Tangicons, children are able to learn first steps of programming in a playful way.

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