David Wolber

Papers

Total Citations

114

H-Index

About

David Wolber is a pioneering educator and researcher whose work centers on democratizing computer science education through mobile app development. His primary research areas include K-12 computer science outreach, visual programming tools, and accessible mobile computing. Wolber's most significant contribution is his leadership in developing and promoting MIT App Inventor, a revolutionary visual programming platform that enables anyone—even those with no prior coding experience—to build fully functional Android applications. His landmark paper, "Using App Inventor in a K-12 Summer Camp" (2013, 107 citations), demonstrates how mobile technologies can captivate teenagers and serve as a powerful gateway into computer science, moving beyond traditional robotics and media computation approaches. Wolber is also the lead author of "App Inventor 2" (2014), a comprehensive, hands-on guide that has introduced thousands of learners to app creation through step-by-step projects. His work has had a profound impact on CS education, making programming accessible to diverse audiences and inspiring a new generation of creators. Through his research and teaching, Wolber has fundamentally shifted how we think about introductory computing, proving that anyone can build apps and, in doing so, discover the joy of coding.