Katherine Nilsen
Papers
1
Total Citations
66
H-Index
1
About
Dr. Katherine Nilsen is a leading researcher in child-computer interaction and computational thinking education, with a focus on how young children learn programming through tangible, embodied interfaces. Her most influential work, "Active Learning Environments with Robotic Tangibles" (66 citations), introduced the ALERT system and its virtual counterpart, Robopad, demonstrating how physical robotic manipulatives can enhance children's spatial programming experiences compared to screen-based alternatives. This foundational research bridges developmental psychology and human-computer interaction, showing that active, physical engagement with computational concepts significantly improves young learners' understanding of sequencing and spatial reasoning. Nilsen's contributions have shaped the design of educational technologies that leverage children's natural learning modalities, influencing both classroom practices and the development of commercial robotics kits. Her work remains highly cited in the growing fields of tangible interaction and K-12 computer science education, establishing her as a key voice in creating developmentally appropriate pathways for early computational thinking.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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