M-flow: a Flow-based Music Creation Platform Improves Underrepresented Children’s Attitudes toward Computer Programming

Abstract

Because of the structural parallelisms between music and computing, it has long been suggested that coding music could be a good way for young children to engage in and learn about computer science (CS). Despite these suggestions, coding music has not reached a wider audience of young children, and the approach’s potential to engage them has not been thoroughly demonstrated. To facilitate the adoption of coding music activities, we created M-flow, a flow-based programming platform that allows young children to code music intuitively from the outset. Then, we developed a standards-aligned curriculum that teachers applied in their fourth-grade classrooms. Surveys indicate that children were greatly engaged, the experience successfully exposed them to and increased their self-efficacy toward programming. Our results indicate that with the appropriate coding platform, coding music can be a powerful way to engage children in CS.