Alice 2.0 Nontraditional topics for Computer Science and Computer Literacy

Alice 2.0Alice 2.0

Nontraditional topics for Computer Nontraditional topics for Computer Science and Computer LiteracyScience and Computer Literacy

Technology TrendsTechnology Trends

As technology becomes more sophisticated, people As technology becomes more sophisticated, people become further removed from the underlying become further removed from the underlying foundations of that technology. We change our oil foundations of that technology. We change our oil with a credit card instead of a wrench.with a credit card instead of a wrench.

Today’s students can do things with a computer, Today’s students can do things with a computer, but they are less likely to understand the underlying but they are less likely to understand the underlying technology as much as young people did a few technology as much as young people did a few years ago. years ago.

Is this learning style related to a decline in Is this learning style related to a decline in Computer Science enrollments? Can we afford to Computer Science enrollments? Can we afford to let this happen with computing and related let this happen with computing and related technology?technology?


According to United States Department of Labor and According to United States Department of Labor and the National Science Foundation (NSF), the demand the National Science Foundation (NSF), the demand for a technically competent work force will not for a technically competent work force will not decrease in the coming years. decrease in the coming years.

Particularly for people who have degrees in what the Particularly for people who have degrees in what the NSF calls STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, NSF calls STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Engineering and Mathematics)

At the same time the United States Department of At the same time the United States Department of Education tells us that the number of people Education tells us that the number of people majoring in these disciplines, and in computing in majoring in these disciplines, and in computing in particular, is decreasing.particular, is decreasing.


Today a smaller percentage of Today a smaller percentage of students entering college are choosing students entering college are choosing to study computers and computer-to study computers and computer-related technology than at any time related technology than at any time since 1996. (Computer Research since 1996. (Computer Research Association 2005 Taulbee) Association 2005 Taulbee)

Teaching TrendsTeaching Trends

The best way to teach complicated ideas is to The best way to teach complicated ideas is to expose our students to them gently, and then expose our students to them gently, and then gradually add more and more detail until one day gradually add more and more detail until one day they realize they’ve learned quite a bit.they realize they’ve learned quite a bit.

To be sure, the process can be long and To be sure, the process can be long and sometimes tedious, but we need to motivate sometimes tedious, but we need to motivate students along the way, to keep them moving, to students along the way, to keep them moving, to keep them interested. keep them interested.

For persistent learning to take place, it needs to be For persistent learning to take place, it needs to be interesting (maybe even fun), relevant to other interesting (maybe even fun), relevant to other things that students have already learned, and well things that students have already learned, and well paced.paced.

Enter AliceEnter Alice

Alice is an object oriented system of programming. Alice is an object oriented system of programming. The objects in Alice exist in a three-dimensional The objects in Alice exist in a three-dimensional world, much like a modern video game.world, much like a modern video game.

In some ways, Alice is just like other modern object In some ways, Alice is just like other modern object oriented programming (OOP) languages such as oriented programming (OOP) languages such as Java, C++, or Visual Basic, and in some ways, it is Java, C++, or Visual Basic, and in some ways, it is different. different.

Students who wish to become professional Students who wish to become professional programmers still need to learn languages like programmers still need to learn languages like Java, Visual Basic and so on. Java, Visual Basic and so on. Alice isn’t intended Alice isn’t intended to replace themto replace them; it is intended to position students ; it is intended to position students so they can learn them better.so they can learn them better.

Enter AliceEnter Alice

The Alice language has a grammar and syntax like The Alice language has a grammar and syntax like other programming languages, but it is constructed other programming languages, but it is constructed in such a way that students don’t need to memorize in such a way that students don’t need to memorize the grammar and syntax of the language in order to the grammar and syntax of the language in order to write programs.write programs.

As students are learning Alice, they can As students are learning Alice, they can concentrate on learning about the ideas of concentrate on learning about the ideas of computer programming, such as the logic of computer programming, such as the logic of programming, instead of having to worry about the programming, instead of having to worry about the spelling and grammar of a new language at the spelling and grammar of a new language at the same time.same time.

Alice – Cross CurriculumAlice – Cross Curriculum

Alice is an excellent tool to help achieve persistent Alice is an excellent tool to help achieve persistent and interesting learning in teaching computer and interesting learning in teaching computer programming. However that’s not the most programming. However that’s not the most important thing about Alice. important thing about Alice.

As students manipulate objects in Alice, they are As students manipulate objects in Alice, they are considering placement and motion in three-considering placement and motion in three-dimensional space and time. They begin to think dimensional space and time. They begin to think about acceleration, one object’s orientation relative about acceleration, one object’s orientation relative to another, and things like how to make the path of to another, and things like how to make the path of a moving object, such as a baseball, look like it a moving object, such as a baseball, look like it does in the real world.does in the real world.

Alice – Cross CurriculumAlice – Cross Curriculum

Students begin to persistently explore Students begin to persistently explore ideas that are pretty fundamental to ideas that are pretty fundamental to most of science, technology, most of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. engineering and mathematics.

How much more can our students do How much more can our students do empowered by the desire to explore empowered by the desire to explore such ideas coupled with the ability to such ideas coupled with the ability to explore them with the tools of modern explore them with the tools of modern computing? Enter Alice.computing? Enter Alice.

Alice – Social Alice – Social EnvironmentEnvironment

Anthropologist Fred Erikson has pointed out that Anthropologist Fred Erikson has pointed out that learning occurs in a social environment. learning occurs in a social environment.

Are our students learning from one another as well as from Are our students learning from one another as well as from the teacher? the teacher?

Are they talking to each other in class about what they are Are they talking to each other in class about what they are learning? learning?

Are they talking to each other outside of class about what Are they talking to each other outside of class about what they are learning? they are learning?

Does the social environment of our classroom welcome Does the social environment of our classroom welcome women and minority students to learn about computing? women and minority students to learn about computing?

Does it encourage borderline students to make the effort to Does it encourage borderline students to make the effort to “get over the hump”, or does it send the message that “get over the hump”, or does it send the message that computer programming is only for the most brilliant of us? computer programming is only for the most brilliant of us?

Enter Alice.Enter Alice.

Alice – Social Alice – Social EnvironmentEnvironment

The important things about using Alice The important things about using Alice are that it allows students to get are that it allows students to get started quickly learning the concepts started quickly learning the concepts of modern programming and that it of modern programming and that it motivates them early in the process to motivates them early in the process to want to learn these things and more.want to learn these things and more.

Why Alice?Why Alice?

Three things that make Alice easier to learn programming Three things that make Alice easier to learn programming than almost any other system of programming:than almost any other system of programming:

1.1. Minimal memorization of syntaxMinimal memorization of syntax – Alice is constructed in such – Alice is constructed in such a way that you do not need to learn the grammar and syntax of a a way that you do not need to learn the grammar and syntax of a strange new language and can instead focus on your attention on strange new language and can instead focus on your attention on the concepts of computer programming.the concepts of computer programming.

2.2. VisualizationVisualization – Alice allows you to see the effects of your – Alice allows you to see the effects of your programs and any changes you make to them, it provides visual programs and any changes you make to them, it provides visual feedback.feedback.

3.3. Rapid feedbackRapid feedback – Alice provides rapid feedback, which you may – Alice provides rapid feedback, which you may get at any time by simply starting your virtual world and watching get at any time by simply starting your virtual world and watching what happens. Rapid feedback shortens the creative cycle of what happens. Rapid feedback shortens the creative cycle of conceptualization, implementation, and results.conceptualization, implementation, and results.

Why Alice?Why Alice?

Alice is fun and Alice is fun and interesting to use, which interesting to use, which never hurts when one is never hurts when one is trying to learn something trying to learn something new.new.

Possible Uses for AlicePossible Uses for Alice

An introduction to the concepts of OO programming during the first An introduction to the concepts of OO programming during the first several weeks of a semester in which Java or a similar “real” several weeks of a semester in which Java or a similar “real” programming language is used for the remainder of the semester. programming language is used for the remainder of the semester.

Teachers who are teaching Java this way in many places report that at the end Teachers who are teaching Java this way in many places report that at the end of the semester they have actually covered more Java material than if they had of the semester they have actually covered more Java material than if they had no used Alice.no used Alice.

A semester long course in programming and problem solving for the A semester long course in programming and problem solving for the general student population. general student population.

Such a course has been shown to be remarkably successful in helping Such a course has been shown to be remarkably successful in helping “borderline” students succeed academically. It is especially helpful for students “borderline” students succeed academically. It is especially helpful for students in mathematics and English.in mathematics and English.

A programming component for a general computer literacy or applications A programming component for a general computer literacy or applications course. course.

The National Research Council and other groups have suggested that all The National Research Council and other groups have suggested that all college graduates should have been exposed to computer programming, yet college graduates should have been exposed to computer programming, yet currently less than ten percent of college students are required to take a course currently less than ten percent of college students are required to take a course in programming. in programming.

Not much can be done with Java or C+ in three weeks, but Alice can be used to Not much can be done with Java or C+ in three weeks, but Alice can be used to provide a basic understanding of objects and algorithms. provide a basic understanding of objects and algorithms.

Development of AliceDevelopment of Alice

Goggles and Gloves phaseGoggles and Gloves phase Started in the early 1990’s at the University of Virginia, Started in the early 1990’s at the University of Virginia,

where Randy Pausch was on faculty heading a 20 where Randy Pausch was on faculty heading a 20 person User Interface Group, trying to make virtual person User Interface Group, trying to make virtual reality more accessible by developing improved reality more accessible by developing improved interfaces and lower-cost human computer interaction interfaces and lower-cost human computer interaction hardware and software.hardware and software.

This phase focused on the development of virtual reality This phase focused on the development of virtual reality systems in which the participant (the systems in which the participant (the useruser didn’t seem didn’t seem to really capture the sense of it; Disney Imagineering to really capture the sense of it; Disney Imagineering uses the term “guest”) enters a virtual world by putting uses the term “guest”) enters a virtual world by putting on a VR helmet and gloves.on a VR helmet and gloves.


At the time virtual reality was in its infancy. In addition to At the time virtual reality was in its infancy. In addition to developing VR interfaces, work was done on software developing VR interfaces, work was done on software systems to test the interfaces. One of the research projects systems to test the interfaces. One of the research projects was called SUIT, the was called SUIT, the Simple User Interface ToolkitSimple User Interface Toolkit, to which , to which Matt Conway and Rob DeLine contributed heavily. Matt Conway and Rob DeLine contributed heavily.

Matt’s work was very influential in shaping the direction and Matt’s work was very influential in shaping the direction and development work that led to the Alice system we have today. development work that led to the Alice system we have today. His doctoral dissertation, His doctoral dissertation, Alice: Easy-to-learn 3D Scripting for Alice: Easy-to-learn 3D Scripting for NovicesNovices is available at is available at www.alice.orgwww.alice.org

The language of VR systems required one to think in terms of The language of VR systems required one to think in terms of X,Y,Z, coordinates, and to use terms like translate, scale, and X,Y,Z, coordinates, and to use terms like translate, scale, and rotate to describe things happening in a virtual world. A rotate to describe things happening in a virtual world. A person needed fairly advanced mathematics skills to program person needed fairly advanced mathematics skills to program graphical objects in a 3D system. Engineers and physicists graphical objects in a 3D system. Engineers and physicists had the key to get in, but many other intelligent, talented and had the key to get in, but many other intelligent, talented and creative people, such as artists, and filmmakers, did not.creative people, such as artists, and filmmakers, did not.


Matt saw the language of the VR as part of the problem Matt saw the language of the VR as part of the problem and that if he could change the language, then VR and that if he could change the language, then VR systems would be easier to use, and more accessible systems would be easier to use, and more accessible for novices and more powerful for experts at the same for novices and more powerful for experts at the same time. In his dissertation he wrote that “the tradeoff time. In his dissertation he wrote that “the tradeoff between power and simplicity is often a false one.” between power and simplicity is often a false one.”

He led the discovery that using more everyday terms He led the discovery that using more everyday terms like move, turn, and resize instead of technically like move, turn, and resize instead of technically oriented terms like translate, rotate, and scale could go oriented terms like translate, rotate, and scale could go a long way toward achieving the powerful simplicity that a long way toward achieving the powerful simplicity that would become the hallmarks of Alice. would become the hallmarks of Alice.

Turn left 1 revolutionTurn left 1 revolution makes sense to a lot more people makes sense to a lot more people than than rotate X -3600.rotate X -3600.


Rapid Prototyping 3D graphics phaseRapid Prototyping 3D graphics phase The first version of Alice was a combination of C and Python The first version of Alice was a combination of C and Python

code, with which one could rapidly create virtual worlds by code, with which one could rapidly create virtual worlds by iterating Python scripts. Over the years the programming iterating Python scripts. Over the years the programming features of Python have been replaced with dragging and features of Python have been replaced with dragging and dropping code elements.dropping code elements.

In the mid 1990’s this work was funded by a variety of In the mid 1990’s this work was funded by a variety of sources, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and sources, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

One day one of the people from the Department of Defense One day one of the people from the Department of Defense who was overseeing the project said that the research team who was overseeing the project said that the research team should forget about the VR hardware and concentrate on the should forget about the VR hardware and concentrate on the software they were building. He argued that the most software they were building. He argued that the most important contribution was the way in which the software important contribution was the way in which the software could be used as a rapid development system for 3D graphics could be used as a rapid development system for 3D graphics prototyping.prototyping.


During the summer and fall of 1995, Randy Pausch spent During the summer and fall of 1995, Randy Pausch spent a sabbatical at Walt Disney Imagineering’s Virtual Reality a sabbatical at Walt Disney Imagineering’s Virtual Reality Studio working on the “Aladdin” project which was featured Studio working on the “Aladdin” project which was featured at EPOCT Center. The experience working with the at EPOCT Center. The experience working with the Imagineering team helped to make it clear that his Imagineering team helped to make it clear that his research group was moving into a realm of work that would research group was moving into a realm of work that would require both artist and engineers. require both artist and engineers.

Randy created a course called “Building Virtual Worlds” in Randy created a course called “Building Virtual Worlds” in which teams of artist and engineers work together to which teams of artist and engineers work together to create interactive virtual worlds. In the Spring of 1997, the create interactive virtual worlds. In the Spring of 1997, the research group moved to Carnegie Mellon University in research group moved to Carnegie Mellon University in order to take advantage of the unique cross-disciplinary order to take advantage of the unique cross-disciplinary focus at CMU.focus at CMU.


Teaching Introductory Programming Teaching Introductory Programming phasephase

Alice became a workhorse for the “Building Alice became a workhorse for the “Building Virtual Worlds” course which was taught at CMU Virtual Worlds” course which was taught at CMU for several years.for several years.

However, with respect to making 3D graphics However, with respect to making 3D graphics programming easier, the research team slowly programming easier, the research team slowly bean to realize they had the problem inside-out. bean to realize they had the problem inside-out. Instead of thinking about how to improve Instead of thinking about how to improve programming to make 3D graphics more programming to make 3D graphics more accessible, it started to become clear that accessible, it started to become clear that 3D 3D graphics could make programming more graphics could make programming more accessible.accessible.


A seminal event occurred one day when Randy was on a A seminal event occurred one day when Randy was on a family trip to Disney World. His ten year old nephew family trip to Disney World. His ten year old nephew Christopher spent the day working with Alice on a laptop Christopher spent the day working with Alice on a laptop as they drove. Chris programmed 3D graphics for eight as they drove. Chris programmed 3D graphics for eight hours straight, never really having trouble with the 3D part, hours straight, never really having trouble with the 3D part, but constantly asking for help about “where the commas but constantly asking for help about “where the commas and semicolons had to go.” and semicolons had to go.”

Randy immediately realized that this was a problem that Randy immediately realized that this was a problem that could be solved. Some work had already been done on could be solved. Some work had already been done on the drag and drop interface, but now the creation of a drag the drag and drop interface, but now the creation of a drag and drop interface for creating Alice programs became a and drop interface for creating Alice programs became a priority.priority.


They began to shape Alice as a better tool to They began to shape Alice as a better tool to teach introductory programming. teach introductory programming.

They were all beginning to recognize that Alice They were all beginning to recognize that Alice works well for teaching introductory programming works well for teaching introductory programming for the three primary reasons stated earlier: for the three primary reasons stated earlier:

minimization of the problems of syntax, minimization of the problems of syntax, the ability to see the results of OO programming in a the ability to see the results of OO programming in a

live world, live world, and the motivation provided by working in such an and the motivation provided by working in such an

exciting environment.exciting environment.

Outcomes of AliceOutcomes of Alice

In addition to helping students with technical In addition to helping students with technical hurdles, Alice is allowing teachers to change the hurdles, Alice is allowing teachers to change the ways in which we introduce students to computer ways in which we introduce students to computer programming. programming.

The way we teach computer programming hasn’t The way we teach computer programming hasn’t changed much in the past 50 years, despite the fact changed much in the past 50 years, despite the fact that the way we use computers has.that the way we use computers has.

Today how many students are excited about writing Today how many students are excited about writing code to generate the first 10 Fibonacci numbers? code to generate the first 10 Fibonacci numbers?

Using Alice, students learn the basics of Using Alice, students learn the basics of programming while creating animated stories and programming while creating animated stories and games.games.

Outcomes of AliceOutcomes of Alice

Wanda Dann has been a strong proponent for using Wanda Dann has been a strong proponent for using Alice to introduce programming through storytelling Alice to introduce programming through storytelling at the college level, and Caitlin Kelleher has been at the college level, and Caitlin Kelleher has been studying using the activity of storytelling in Alice to studying using the activity of storytelling in Alice to interest middle school girls in learning to program.interest middle school girls in learning to program.

By using Alice to tell story lines in a virtual world, By using Alice to tell story lines in a virtual world, young people become engaged in linear young people become engaged in linear sequencing, modular development, and planning sequencing, modular development, and planning before implementation, three of the most important before implementation, three of the most important skills for early success in computer programming.skills for early success in computer programming.

Future of AliceFuture of Alice

Currently, women constitute less than one-third of all Currently, women constitute less than one-third of all Computer Science majors in the United States and less than Computer Science majors in the United States and less than one-fourth of those earning Ph.Ds in Computer Science. one-fourth of those earning Ph.Ds in Computer Science. According to Caitlin’s research (her dissertation is available at According to Caitlin’s research (her dissertation is available at www.alice.orgwww.alice.org), Alice has the power to begin to change that; ), Alice has the power to begin to change that; thereby changing the culture of the Computer Science thereby changing the culture of the Computer Science classroom and workplace.classroom and workplace.

Currently most people who use Alice seem to be doing so to Currently most people who use Alice seem to be doing so to teach introductory programming, although it is starting to be teach introductory programming, although it is starting to be used in other disciplines. The most widespread educational used in other disciplines. The most widespread educational model for the use of Alice is to use Alice for the first half of an model for the use of Alice is to use Alice for the first half of an introductory programming course, followed by the use of Java introductory programming course, followed by the use of Java or a similar commercial programming language in the second or a similar commercial programming language in the second half of the semester.half of the semester.

Future of AliceFuture of Alice

Alice has had various corporate sponsors over the years, Alice has had various corporate sponsors over the years, most notably Intel and Microsoft. Electronic Arts (EA) is a most notably Intel and Microsoft. Electronic Arts (EA) is a major sponsor of Alice 3.0.major sponsor of Alice 3.0.

It is expected Alice 3.0 will be a pure Java implementation, It is expected Alice 3.0 will be a pure Java implementation, and that you will be able to dump the Java code from an Alice and that you will be able to dump the Java code from an Alice 3.0 world and then work with it in Java. This should serve 3.0 world and then work with it in Java. This should serve several purposes, including helping to make the transition several purposes, including helping to make the transition from Alice to Java smoother in introductory programming from Alice to Java smoother in introductory programming courses.courses.

There will be more methods that manipulate objects and their There will be more methods that manipulate objects and their sub-parts together, and the gallery of available objects will sub-parts together, and the gallery of available objects will probably be richer in Alice 3.0 than the current Alice gallery.probably be richer in Alice 3.0 than the current Alice gallery.

The overall look and feel of Alice will probably be less toy-like.The overall look and feel of Alice will probably be less toy-like.

Features of AliceFeatures of Alice

Object-Oriented conceptsObject-Oriented concepts MethodsMethods EventsEvents Logical Structure of AlgorithmsLogical Structure of Algorithms Boolean LogicBoolean Logic Text and SoundText and Sound RecursionRecursion Lists and ArraysLists and Arrays

Alice Success StoriesAlice Success Stories

Bill Taylor is leading a group of faculty Bill Taylor is leading a group of faculty members at Camden County College in New members at Camden County College in New Jersey who are studying the use of Alice in Jersey who are studying the use of Alice in problem solving and programming courses problem solving and programming courses for students in developmental Mathematics for students in developmental Mathematics and English courses. Their primary work has and English courses. Their primary work has shown that Alice is an effective tool for shown that Alice is an effective tool for improving the overall academic performance improving the overall academic performance of developmental students.of developmental students.


Chuck Herbert is leading a team of 40 Chuck Herbert is leading a team of 40 faculty members at Community College faculty members at Community College of Philadelphia exploring the use of of Philadelphia exploring the use of Alice for a programming module in Alice for a programming module in computer literacy and applications computer literacy and applications courses. Their preliminary work shows courses. Their preliminary work shows that the use of Alice in such courses is that the use of Alice in such courses is attracting new students to computer-attracting new students to computer-related disciplines.related disciplines.


For each of the past two Fall semesters, For each of the past two Fall semesters, 1,300 freshman engineering students at 1,300 freshman engineering students at Virginia Tech have used Alice as a tool to Virginia Tech have used Alice as a tool to explore programming and problem solving in explore programming and problem solving in their introductory engineering course.their introductory engineering course.

ITESM, a 33-campus, 80,000 student high ITESM, a 33-campus, 80,000 student high end University in Mexico has been using end University in Mexico has been using Alice, and reports very similar results to the Alice, and reports very similar results to the American experience, giving hope that the American experience, giving hope that the storytelling approach works in a fairly culture storytelling approach works in a fairly culture independent way.independent way.


Last year approximately 30 colleges Last year approximately 30 colleges and universities used Alice. This year and universities used Alice. This year there are already 60 colleges and there are already 60 colleges and universities and at least that many high universities and at least that many high schools as well, and probably more schools as well, and probably more using Alice that are unaccounted for.using Alice that are unaccounted for.

Alice Demo…Alice Demo…

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Alice 2.0 Nontraditional topics for Computer Science and Computer Literacy