Creating a learnable and inclusive programming language
summary
Proposal and results for a new learner-first language called Hedy: an open‑source, browser‑based system with a levels approach that gradually transforms simple commands into real Python (18 levels), localized keywords in 47 languages and support for Arabic numerals, better actionable error messages, and a teacher backend to lock progress and upload lessons. Launched 2020, it reaches ~300,000 monthly users, calms classrooms by reducing cryptic syntax failures, and meaningfully improves accessibility for non‑English and marginalized learners.
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chapters (15)
- 0:00Conference opening
- 2:29Notable paper award
- 4:13Keynote speaker Felina Hermans
- 6:23Programming languages need inclusivity
- 18:12Learnable programming languages research
- 22:05Designing HEI language
- 37:56Customizing HEI for teaching
- 46:31Future of programming and inclusivity
- 57:41Q&A on HEI learning
- 58:25HEI in mass education
- 1:00:14PL community values shift
- 1:02:41HEI versus Logo and Scratch
- 1:05:10Localization challenges Japan
- 1:08:20Multilingual professional languages?
- 1:11:07Closing and Q&A
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