Challenges and New Directions for Collaborative Live Coding in the Classroom

This paper focuses on the potential of collaborative live coding in educational settings. In particular, it draws from our experience with EarSketch, a free online platform for algorithmic composition and computational music remixing that allows students to learn Computer Science Principles (CSP) by making music using either Python or JavaScript. We argue that collaborative live coding is a promising approach to learning CSP through computer music in the classroom. We draw on interviews with teachers and observations in schools. We discuss how collaboration can be better supported in educational settings when learning CSP using EarSketch, and the challenges and potential for learning music and code using a computer-supported collaborative environment.

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