BlocklyVR: Exploring Block-based Programming in Virtual RealityShow others and affiliations
2023 (English)In: MUM'23: Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Mobile and Ubiquitous Multimedia / [ed] Florian Michahelles, Pascal Knierim, Jonna Häkkilä, Association for Computing Machinery , 2023, p. 251-263Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]
As programming is typically a static activity in front of a screen, we perform an initial exploration around the capabilities of block-based programming in the immersive space using Virtual Reality (VR) to make an early charting on how programming could involve moving the programmer's body. We created a block-based programming interface in a VR space called BlocklyVR based on the existing Blockly programming environment. To investigate programmer performance and experience in BlocklyVR, we conducted a controlled lab experiment (N = 20) with eight programming tasks that covered mathematical operations, if-statements, and function creation. Our initial exploration contributes by classifying movement types made by BlocklyVR programmers and reflecting on how these movements are related to the programming tasks. Additionally, our data suggests that participant performance in BlocklyVR was not affected compared to the 2D Blockly, even if participants were physically moving in VR space. We also found that the virtual reality sickness was marginal. Lastly, we identified four types of interaction that can potentially be employed by VR designers and developers aiming to convert a static task, like programming at a desk, into a "mobile"immersive experience. © 2023 Owner/Author.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Association for Computing Machinery , 2023. p. 251-263
Keywords [en]
blockly, physical movement, programming, virtual reality, User interfaces, Block based, Immersive, Initial exploration, Performance, Physical movements, Programming environment, Programming interface, Programming tasks
National Category
Computer and Information Sciences
Research subject
Medicine/Technology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:gih:diva-8063DOI: 10.1145/3626705.3627779Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85180124461ISBN: 9798400709210 (print)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:gih-8063DiVA, id: diva2:1830469
Conference
22nd International Conference on Mobile and Ubiquitous Multimedia, December 3-6 2023, Vienna, Austria
2024-01-232024-01-232024-01-23