Kids, coding, and connections : extending the ScratchJr programming environment to support wireless physical devices

Abstract

This thesis presents a system and design for the connection of the ScratchJr programming environment to wireless physical devices. Using ScratchJr, young kids can create interactive stories, animations, and games on mobile tablet devices. With the extension system developed in this thesis, young kids can program wireless lights, motors, sensors, toy robots, and other Bluetooth Smart products and devices. Developers can use the framework to connect ScratchJr to more devices, and a streamlined programming interface is provided for this purpose. The thesis discusses the implementation of several example extensions, and it compares the design and functionality to similar mobile programming environments.