A survey study for understanding interest of primary school learners in programming mobile apps: Designing an interest-driven curriculum

This study aimed to discuss the interest of primary school learners in programming mobile apps by conducting a survey with 2803 learners in 10 primary schools across grades 4, 5 and 6 in Hong Kong. The survey was to collect the learners’ views on what types of mobile apps they are interested in and whom they want to design for. The results reflected that game apps are what they want to design most. Besides, younger learners prefer to design apps for themselves or their friends and family while senior learners do for people in general. These findings implied the curriculum should emphasize teaching learners to develop games apps. Younger learners are suggested to design simple game apps for their friends and family, whereas senior learners are advised to create the more advanced ones related to the community and society.