Motivating K-12 students learning fundamental Computer Science concepts with App Inventor

A study was conducted on the pedagogical use of App Inventor (AI) - an open-source web application that allows novices to create software applications for the Android platform-to support students in developing fundamental Computer Science (CS) concepts and critical thinking skills. A total of 35 students from four different secondary classes in Chios Island, Greece, were invited to participate in the study. In a 4-week trial teaching, students worked in pairs, sharing a mobile device to learn about topics in CS and how to program. The pre- and post-tests showed a statistically significant growth in students´ domain knowledge and in their engagement. The semi-structured interviews with the teachers who participated showed that the students and the teachers perceived positively the effectiveness of the pedagogical designs on the use of programming of mobile devices to foster students´ development of fundamental programming concepts through AI.