Alice Programming

ScienceGrade 9

About This Curriculum

Alice is an innovative block-based programming environment that makes it easy to create animations, build interactive narratives, or program simple games in 3D. Unlike many of the puzzle-based coding applications, Alice motivates learning through creative exploration. Alice is designed to teach logical and computational thinking skills, fundamental principles of programming and to be the first exposure to object-oriented programming. The Alice Project provides supplemental tools and materials for teaching using Alice across a spectrum of ages and subject matter with proven benefits in engaging and retaining diverse and underserved groups in computer science education. Please enter at least 2 characters for name. Please enter at least 10 characters for details. Please enter a valid phone number. Please enter a valid email address.

What makes it unique: Creative, story-based approach to learning programming through 3D animation and game design without syntax errors

Alice Programming: Visual 3D Programming Environment for Computational Thinking

Alice Programming is a block-based 3D programming environment designed to teach computational thinking and programming fundamentals through creative animations and interactive narratives. While categorized as science curriculum, it appears to be primarily a computer science/programming tool rather than a traditional science curriculum covering disciplinary content areas.

Best for

Grade 9 students interested in computer programming and computational thinking as an introduction to computer science rather than traditional science content

Evaluation Criteria

1 strength · 2 concerns · 2 neutral · 2 insufficient evidence

Hands On IntegrationStrength

The curriculum provides extensive hands-on programming activities through its block-based 3D environment.

Alice enables students to 'create animations, build interactive narratives, or program simple games in 3D' with hands-on computer programming activities

Knowledge RichConcern

The curriculum focuses on computational thinking and programming concepts rather than building systematic science content knowledge.

Materials emphasize 'logical and computational thinking skills, fundamental principles of programming' rather than disciplinary science content

Scientific VocabularyConcern

Limited evidence of explicit scientific vocabulary instruction, focusing instead on programming terminology.

Materials mention teaching 'fundamental principles of programming' and 'object-oriented programming' concepts rather than scientific terminology

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum is designed as self-study requiring no teacher expertise, with technical support available.

'No teacher expertise is required' and 'fast, free technical support for the lifetime of the course' is provided

Direct InstructionNeutral

The curriculum appears to combine direct instruction through textbook materials with exploratory programming activities.

Courses include 'textbook study material' combined with programming activities, plus optional instructional videos that 'reinforce every chapter and lesson'

Ngss AlignmentInsufficient Evidence

Insufficient evidence of alignment to NGSS or traditional science standards.

No mention of NGSS alignment or science standards; described as computer science education rather than science curriculum

Retrieval PracticeInsufficient Evidence

Some assessment components are included but specific retrieval practice methods are unclear.

Materials mention 'tests, answer keys' but no specific details about spaced review or systematic retrieval practice

Sources: homeschool.com