C2LC Survey - Notes from the results

Total of 9 valid Responses out of 12

Most used coding tools/environments:

Reasons for using the coding tools they have selected:

Ability to make adjustments to the robot based on curriculum goals
“We felt the blockly coding language was user-friendly and we had success using it with younger children and children with cognitive disabilities.” , “Block format provides a visual of the logic”
Two respondents were exploring switch scanning accessibility features in the iPad OS to program Dash with Blockly
Less textual and language based and more interactive, tactile and pictorial, such as code-a-pillar
Accessible for students with visual impairment (Code & Go Mouse, Code.org, and Swift which is built with voiceOver in mind)

Three Favorite Features:

Reliable bluetooth connectivity
Immediate feedback from building code to seeing real time results (e.g. robots moving)
Blockly’s large and colorful icons, drag and dropping and snapping feature
Ability to transfer knowledge from more basic coding tools to higher-level ones
EV3 Comment block which allows students to explain at each step what their program is doing and troubleshoot
Visual coding - Visuals have a code equivalent
Dash has variety of options to choose from e.g. graphics, music, sound, puzzle

A feature they wish their coding tool had:

“it is important to have the robots drive in “slow mode” so that students can see the steps in slow motion and have time to make changes on the fly”
Ability to switch between multiple coding languages (C3, Java, Python, Processing) - “a node-based mode that looks similar to TouchDesigner, Unreal Blueprints, or Unity Shader Graphs, that converts to another coding language”
Make chrome app and Chrome devices switch accessible (script, operations, and commands)
Code blocks and instructions to be read with text to speech
Code blocks provide auditory feedback when clicked
Coding apps that can work with keyboard commands, so they can be used with USB switch interface
No sign in process, which poses problems with younger kids
Ability to adjust reading level of instruction of single program based on age and abilities
Versatility based on age - easy to understand and work with for younger learners and ability to offer more challenging tasks for older kids
A leveled approach more like a video game, motivating kids without a lot of direct instructions

Inability or difficulty using a coding tool with students with complex learning needs:

“Blockly app does not allow access using row/column scanning to the secondary levels of the codes (options within Drive>Forward, backwards, etc). Point scan was very difficult to use in terms of vision and timing.”
Blockly has no chrome app so headmouse, eye gaze, and alternative access were not supported
Most online apps don’t support scanning (e.g. lightbot)
Most apps are visual and text based and don’t provide audio feedback/response
“In order for us to provide access to the EV3 for our math project, we needed an engineer to create a program that could be accessed by our headmouse using on a PC.”
“Lego app was nice as you could create your own interface, but using the joystick required very advanced skills. The only other option is sliders which requires both motors (right and left wheels) to be joined.”
Students with motor skills have a hard time pressing small buttons.
Difficulty differentiating icons
Difficulty with language either due to not knowing English or developmental delay
Sphero is too complex
Robots or kits with small parts can be challenging for some students
Inability to provide students with sufficient time for processing

Adjustments/adaptations they have made:

Connecting iPad to a larger screen
Created color blocks in Scratch to help an individual with Dyslexia. This was more effective than typing code to avoid typing errors.
Adding tactile markers on tangible items, such as robots and the environment for non-visual students
Using the iPad’s accessible features to enable switch interface
Made adjustments to iOS scanning options

Ways to learn and share:

Word of mouth and professional development were rated highest for learning & sharing
Blogs, Twitter and Board of Education were also indicated as second highest learning sources
Twitter rated more than other methods for sharing

Other ways to learn and share about coding tools:

Networking with AT specialists
QIAT list serv (input into the ongoing process of identifying, disseminating, and implementing a set of widely-applicable Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services in school settings.)
Learning from students

None of the participants indicated the platforms they are using

Other resources to help educators succeed