Learning by visual programming languages: development and implementation of simulation projects

In this paper, we have described a course on computer simulation based on Visual Programming Languages (VPLs). The students were all enrolled in the third year of the DAMS (Arts and Performances) degree course, in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Calabria, Italy. We reported on some of the projects developed by the students using two VPLs environments: AgentSheets and Stegecast Creator. The students developed simulations on arguments such as: the behavior of the marine environments, behavior of the prey-predator model, biological aspects of animal lives and the development of societies, and some types of interactive games. VPLs offer, in an educational field, some substantial opportunities and the potential to support learning. In particular, students have the possibility to learn different phenomena since these environments allow the design, modification and programming of agent behavior.