Research Recap - A Year in Review

Logo, created by Wally Feurzeig and Seymour Papert, is an educational programming language designed to make programming more accessible to children. It is well known for its 'turtle graphics', which allows users to control a turtle on the screen to draw lines and shapes, providing visual feedback for the code being written. Papert's work with Logo was deeply influenced by constructivist learning theories, emphasizing that learners build knowledge most effectively through creating and experimenting. Logo supports a wide range of programming concepts, from basic commands to more advanced topics like recursion and variables. It aims to empower learners by giving them control over the computer, fostering problem-solving skills and creativity. Through Logo, Papert sought to create an environment where children could learn mathematics and computer science in a playful and meaningful way.

Bret Victor's 'Learnable Programming' is an influential essay advocating for more intuitive and accessible ways to learn programming. Victor critiques traditional programming environments, arguing they often hinder the development of effective computational thinking. He proposes alternative systems that provide immediate visual feedback, allowing learners to see the direct consequences of their code. The essay emphasizes the importance of interactivity, exploration, and making the underlying computational model visible to the learner. Victor uses examples to illustrate how programming environments can be designed to enable deeper understanding and foster creativity. 'Learnable Programming' has inspired numerous educators and developers to rethink how programming is taught and learned. It calls for a shift from rote memorization to a more hands-on, exploratory approach.