Why are some Computer Programs so Frustrating?
February 28, 2009
An interactive session led by Dr. Caitlin Kelleher
Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Washington University in St. Louis
Computers can help us solve lots of different problems, but some computer programs can be hard to use. How can we change this? This talk will highlight some ways scientific tools and methods can be used to help create computer programs that are easier and more fun to use. We will look at how these tools were involved in the design of “Storytelling Alice,” a computer program that helps kids learn how to program computers while they create Pixar-style animated movies.
Dr. Caitlin Kelleher is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Washington University in St. Louis. Her computer program, “Storytelling Alice,” has been shown to be influential in the teaching of computer programming to young females.
About the 2009 KTU Film Festival
Dr. Caitlin Kelleher did a wonderful job showing the kids how to use the www.alice.org computer programming software. This software provides a great opportunity to bring children together and cultivate imagination to produce movies! In order to encourage this we sponsored the first KTU Film Festival with screenings and awards on April 18th, 2009!
On April 18, 2009, the KTU Film Festival was held on the Virginia Tech campus, and it was a great success! All of the participants did a fantastic job and the movies were outstanding!
Karlee Kirtley was the recipient of this year's "Dr. Caitlin Kelleher Honorary Award" for her film: "The Ninja, the Indian, and the Indian Chick."
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February 2009 - Hands-On Exhibits
After each KTU interactive session the students are escorted by their parents to have lunch and then to the hands-on portion of the event. There the students enjoy the experience of interacting with various exhibits from the Virginia Tech community.
February 2009 - Exhibitors
1. Armored Hokie
2. Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
3. Joon Lee
4. VT-STEM
5. CS2
6. Baja
7. Virginia Tech Motorsports, Formula Society of Automotive Engineers
8. Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Team
9. Ware Lab
10. Dr. Alex Leonessa
11. Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Association
12. Virginia Tech Assistive Technologies
13. Virginia Tech Collegiate 4-H Club
14. Sally Farrell
15. Sigma Alpha
16. Human Factor Ergonomics Society
17. Dr. John McGee
18. Jason Adams
19. Dr. Betsy Tretola
20. Design Build Fly
21. EcoCAR