Kojo (learning environment)
 | |
| Paradigm | object-oriented and functional |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Lalit Pant |
| First appeared | 2010 |
| Stable release | 2.4.08
/ 14 November 2015 |
| Typing discipline | strong |
| OS | Cross-platform |
| License | GPL |
| Filename extensions | .scala, .kojo |
| Website | http://www.kogics.net/kojo |
| Influenced by | |
| Logo, Processing, The Geometer's Sketchpad | |
| |
Kojo is a programming and learning environment - with many different features that enable play, exploration, creation, and learning in the areas of computer programming, mental skills, (interactive) math, graphics, art, music, science, animation, games, and electronics. Kojo draws ideas from Logo and Processing.[1][2]
Kojo is open source software, and has been developed by Lalit Pant, a computer programmer and teacher living in Dehradun, India. Kojo provides DSLs for its different areas of learning, and as such can be considered an educational programming language. It is also an integrated development environment (IDE).
Kojo is based on the Scala programming language, where users begin with a simple subset of the language and progress step by step. Kojo itself is written in Scala. Its graphical user interface is based on Java/Swing (an earlier version was based on the NetBeans platform).
Lalit chose Scala as the underlying language for Kojo because of its low barrier to entry and its potential power.[3][4]
Kojo has been used in schools and classes around the world. Some of these include:
- Himjyoti School, Dehradun, India.
- Rishi Valley School, Madanapalle, India.[5]
- Cardinal Forest Elementary School, Springfield (Virginia), USA.
- Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill (California), USA.
- Lady's Catholic High School, Preston, England.
- A Swedish 4th grade class consisting of 10-year-old children's. Kojo has been featured by DN and Computer Sweden as a result of the work done by this class.
- Events like Silicon Valley Code Camp, CoderDojo, Hack The Future, and Meetups.
The development of Kojo is partly sponsored by TypeSafe and the Lund University Computer Science Dept., where Kojo is used to introduce children and teachers to the joys of programming. Professor Björn Regnell of Lund University has an informative presentation on the subject. Professor Regnell writes [6] (translation) "Kojo is the best tool, with a low barrier of entry, I have seen for making real text based programming available for children, that is also usable all the way up to university level".
Kojo continues to be actively developed.
References
- ^ "Kojo home page". Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ Geertjan Wielenga (19 February 2010). "Interview: Scala Learning Environment on the NetBeans Platform". DZone. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ Odersky, Martin. "Bringing Scalability to the Classrooms of the Himalayas". ReadWrite. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
- ^ Bagwell, Phil (25 August 2011). "Interview: Scala is Child's Play". Scala Website. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- ^ cite web |url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishi_Valley_School
- ^ Regnell, Björn (29 April 2013). "Lär dig programmera!". Retrieved 6 May 2013.