Integrating Data Structures and Algorithms in K-12 Education using Block-based Programming

TL;DR

This paper introduces DSAScratch, an extension of Scratch that simplifies learning data structures and algorithms for K-12 students through an intuitive block-based interface, showing promising preliminary educational benefits.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel block-based extension, DSAScratch, integrating data structures and algorithms into Scratch to improve K-12 students' understanding of programming concepts.

Findings

70% of students understood key data structures and algorithms concepts.

90% found DSAScratch enhanced their understanding during workshops.

Students would recommend DSAScratch to peers.

Abstract

This paper describes the design and evaluation of DSAScratch, an extension to Scratch, a widely used block-based programming language. The DSAScratch framework implements advanced data structures such as arrays, sets, dictionaries, and searching and sorting algorithms. By presenting these concepts in an intuitive block-based interface, these blocks abstract away technical details and simplify data structures and algorithms concepts for K-12 students to grasp and apply to programming problems more readily. A preliminary evaluation of the tool's usability and learning outcomes is presented in this paper. Given the information we have gathered about DSAScratch, we show that the extension is beneficial for students to develop a deeper understanding of programming and an intuitive understanding of these concepts in high school. We present the methodology and preliminary results of a user study conducted with ten high school students. During the user study, 70% of the participants understood the key ideas behind DSAScratch implemented data structures and algorithms through a mixture of lectures and hands-on activities. We show that DSAScratch was also an important part of the workshop for 90% of the students who participated, as it enhanced their understanding of algorithms and data structures. Furthermore, they indicated that they would recommend DSAScratch to their peers.