Investigating the Usability of Coding Applications for Children: Insights from Teacher Interviews

In pursuit of making the benefits of learning to code more accessible to young learners, numerous block-based environments have been developed. This study attempts to identify key design features within these applications that support student learning; aiming to enhance existing environments, guide future design efforts, and assist educators in selecting platforms tailored to specific educational needs. Through in-depth computer science $\mathrm{K}-8$ teacher interviews and a thematic analysis, we uncovered 96 key concepts, categorized into three themes: design features, user aptitude, and pedagogical strategies. Teachers emphasized usability heuristics such as user control, flexible modalities, clear visual cues, and context-rich error notifications to enhance programming environments. They also stated coding applications need to support pedagogical strategies including pair programming, clear rubrics, appropriate scaffolding, and differentiated instruction.