International Journal of Engineering and Technology

This article presents the design of a learning environment to compare the effectiveness of using Alice software and conventional programming languages in the scope of the initial programming learning. In the described model, it is proposed a quasi-experimental design composed of three stages: i) application of the pretest to assess the development of the logical reasoning in experimental (n=11) and control (n=11) groups; ii) programming learning using the Alice software and pseudocode in the experimental group and exclusive pseudocode in the control group, both with the expository method as teaching methodology; iii) application of a validated programming test to assess the students’ knowledge, mediated by logical reasoning in both groups. The pilot results shown that there were no significant differences between experimental and control groups in the results of the programming test (p > 0,05). These results indicated that the effectiveness of the Alice software in programming knowledge might not work with the expository method.