{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,18]],"date-time":"2026-08-18T15:05:47Z","timestamp":1787065547595,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":44,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2020,9,12]],"date-time":"2020-09-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1599868800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100007480","name":"Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["2020-GRIN-28755"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2020-GRIN-28755"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100007480","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100011698","name":"Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["SBPLY\/19\/180501\/000278"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["SBPLY\/19\/180501\/000278"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100011698","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["MTI"],"abstract":"<jats:p>This study evaluates the effectiveness of visual block programming-based instruction and its possibilities in the training of future teachers. In particular, the application Scratch, a visual programming environment, was employed to introduce pre-service teachers to programming. The study followed a mixed-method design with a sample of 79 pre-service teachers. A quantitative approach was used to evaluate the gains in the participants\u2019 knowledge of computational concepts and attitudes towards Scratch as a pedagogic tool. A qualitative analysis aimed at evaluating the participants\u2019 knowledge concerning programming applications, and their perception about possible difficulties in the implementation of programming in educational contexts. Positive results were obtained for programming in the classroom, with significant improvements in innovation, collaboration, active learning, motivation, and fun for the students. After the experiment, the subjects highlighted Scratch as a fundamental block programming tool and the need for teacher training in this field. The need to improve the implementation of visual block programming in Education Degree curricula is supported.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/mti4030065","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2020,9,13]],"date-time":"2020-09-13T21:11:32Z","timestamp":1600031492000},"page":"65","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":31,"title":["Exploring the Effect of Training in Visual Block Programming for Preservice Teachers"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"4","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5938-1547","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jos\u00e9 Manuel","family":"S\u00e1ez-L\u00f3pez","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Education, National University of Distance Education (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8754-0648","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Javier","family":"del Olmo-Mu\u00f1oz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Education of Albacete, University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 02071 Albacete, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0842-8151","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jos\u00e9 Antonio","family":"Gonz\u00e1lez-Calero","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Education of Albacete, University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 02071 Albacete, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8255-6376","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ram\u00f3n","family":"C\u00f3zar-Guti\u00e9rrez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Education of Albacete, University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 02071 Albacete, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,9,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/20004508.2019.1627844","article-title":"Development of computational thinking, digital competence and 21 st century skills when learning programming in K-9","volume":"11","author":"Nouri","year":"2020","journal-title":"Educ. 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