A team of researchers from LASIGE (PhD students Filipa Rocha and David Gonçalves and integrated member Tiago Guerreiro) and the Interactive Technologies Institute has published in Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction (PACMHCI). PACMHI is a top 10% journal, that presents research on the field of Human-Computer Interaction.

The paper titled “Exploring Collaboration in Programming Activities with Children with Visual Impairments: a 10-Session Study in a School Setting” reports on findings from a longitudinal study conducted in a local primary school. The research engaged children with visual impairments and their teachers in collaborative programming sessions using a multimodal coding kit.

This study reinforces the potential of coding kits to promote inclusive collaboration within a computational thinking activity. It also underscores the need to recognize and accommodate the diverse range of abilities within groups of children —an important factor that can significantly shape collaborative dynamics. By working closely with children with visual impairments and their teachers over multiple sessions, the researchers contribute meaningful insights to the design of more accessible and inclusive coding environments, supporting equal participation of all students in collaborative activities.

Read more on the paper: https://doi.org/10.1145/3710971.