(MENAFN- QNA) A 3-D interactive animation software is helping school students here learn basic computer programming and how to apply logical thinking and problem-solving techniques.
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar has launched the software 'Alice Middle East' here which complements computing curricula in schools.
While learning to program, many students struggle with developing algorithms and figuring out how to apply problem solving techniques. 'Alice' enables students to learn these skills through 3D animations and storytelling.
Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) National Priorities Research Program funded 'Alice Middle East'. It debuted in 2012 with a pilot program in Al-Arqam Academy, a private English-speaking school in Doha.
Carnegie Mellon faculty introduced 'Alice' as a tool to engage students in computing, and also by training teachers in Qatar's schools to implement and integrate the new curriculum.
The Supreme Education Council (SEC) has piloted ‘Alice Middle East’ since September 2014 in two independent schools: Ali bin Abi-Talib Independent School (year 8) and Khalid bin Waleed Independent School (year 8).
The introduction of ‘Alice’ in independent SEC schools will help address a shortage of students in Qatar pursuing higher education in fields relating to computer science.
CMU Qatar Dean Ilker Baybars said, "Alice Middle East' shows Carnegie Mellon's commitment to research. We hope this creates a generation of technology innovators that will be at the forefront of Qatar's future development."
Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch founded 'Alice'. The program gets its name from author Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' because of Carroll communicated clearly and in an entertaining way.
Schools in the United States, Asia, South America, Central America, Europe and the Middle East use this software which has an estimated 1.4 million downloads per year.
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