Just ask Alice...

So I got back a day or so ago from a conference/class on version 3 (beta) of the Alice programming language. Is it nifty tech? Oh, yes. Fun graphics, great feedback for beginning programmers and even more stuff in the graphics library. Is it more than nifty? I think so.

Alice is great creative fun. You can place all sorts of objects in a 3d world and then animate them with a graphical programming language. Yes, it is a bit like Scratch, but more sophisticated.

I taught with Alice 2.2 for a three-week class about a year and a half ago, and it was a fine experience. I liked the way it introduced a lot of programming concepts. It had some limits and glitches here and there, but the kids loved it, and I was able to get some girls to sign up for the class. (Disclaimer: they haven't come back for more, I'm afraid.)

But what I like about the new Alice is that it is better integrated with the programming language I use elsewhere - Java. You can start the programming in a purely graphical mode that is self consistent, but looks like nothing else out there (except Alice 2.2, of course). But then you can flip a switch and those graphic blocks become... graphic blocks that look like java code. And finally, you can import the whole file into Net Beans and continue writing in Java proper - all the Alice code is written in Java, so you don't need the Alice IDE at all, if you don't want it.

From a pedagogical standpoint, it is like progressive training wheels. It reflects a real dedication by the creators towards pedagogical development as much as gee-whiz flair.

Yes, it's beta, and since this is a complete revision from the ground up, it is (as yet) even buggier than its predecessor, with several features still in the works. The two versions feel almost like different programs, which the sort of are. If you want to switch from 2.2 to 3, there will be some disappointments in what you can do with the software. But I think the advances in the way you can teach with it make up for the loss (however temporary) of some of the tricks and toys.

I liked Alice when I taught with it. It was fun. And a "sneaky" way of getting in some programming. But I wasn't planning to incorporate it into my regular curriculum. But now with version 3, I think I will. It looks to integrate much better as an intro to my AP class, enough so that I may even switch IDEs from Eclipse to NetBeans to use it. I'll be sure to report how it goes.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad