AlgoTouch: the software that lets you view and manipulate graphical objects to understand and learn the basics of programming
Learning a programming language like Python, C, C++ or Java isn't always easy!
So a group of teacher-researchers have come up with AlgoTouch, an innovative software programme for learning programming! With AlgoTouch, you can easily manipulate graphical objects on a screen to understand the data in an algorithm and gradually build a programme.
The originality of AlgoTouch
The originality of AlgoTouch lies in its direct interaction with graphical objects representing the elements of an algorithm.
On a computer screen or interactive whiteboard, the user moves these objects, records the movements (which are then translated into instructions) and executes the sequence to see if the result matches his or her expectations. AlgoTouch then generates the programme based on the manipulations made.
Users can create variables, arrays and indexes, and perform simple operations. They can also record sequences of actions and then replay them automatically. In short, the user manipulates the objects in the algorithm directly, and AlgoTouch takes care of creating the program.
This allows you to learn programming progressively and intuitively, by manipulating the visual data in a programme.
The ‘intelligent’ programming assistant
When you write a programming language, you first pose a problem, think about translating it into French and then write it in computer language. With AlgoTouch, the process is more visual and interactive
AlgoTouch is the programming assistant that lets you :
- Easily manipulate the basic elements of an algorithm;
- show you how to define an algorithm by doing it yourself;
- automatically create the associated programme;
- Run the programme;
- view the progress of the programme;
- modify or improve the program;
- export the programme in different languages.
Who is AlgoTouch designed for?
AlgoTouch is designed for anyone who wants to learn or teach the basics of programming. Its interactive method, which goes from ‘gesture to code’, enables algorithms to be constructed and explained in a simple and fun way.
AlgoTouch was developed by four teacher-researchers from the Université Bretagne Sud (P. Frison, Professor Emeritus and member of IRISA, and M. Adam, M. Daoud and S. Letellier, Senior Lecturers). Letellier, senior lecturers) and has been presented at international conferences. It is now available to teachers who want to try it out for themselves or with their pupils and students.
Where can I find AlgoTouch?
AlgoTouch is available online for most browsers at https://algotouch.irisa.fr/agt/
The site features a number of tutorials to help you get to grips with this highly intuitive software. In addition, the demonstration page features several videos illustrating the software's various functions. The first video shows how to create a simple program that displays the result of entering two integers. The last video shows an insertion sorting program