TITLE:
Visual Scaffolding in Control Structures: An Educational Proposal for Introductory Programming Courses
AUTHORS:
Ana Lilia Laureano-Cruces, Orlando Martín Pérez-Hernández, Ismael Martínez-Bonilla, Lourdes Sánchez-Guerrero
KEYWORDS:
Structured Programming, Information Visualization, Microworld, Control Structures, Mental Models
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Intelligence Science,
Vol.16 No.1,
December
19,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introductory programming courses involve the development of skills related to analysis, reasoning, and comprehension. Therefore, making execution visible (which instruction runs, which branch is taken, and how variables change) can facilitate early understanding. This work presents a proposal based on Information Visualization to help understand how control structures work. The objective of this study was to design a microworld that allows step-by-step observation of the functioning of control structures (sequence, simple and multiple selection, arithmetic progression, while, and repeat-until). These structures are part of Structured Programming. An application was developed in Java with four modules: 1) microworld environment, 2) visual interface for structures, 3) parameter input, and 4) visualization. The microworld was modeled as a 15 × 15 grid (30 × 30 px) mapped to a matrix, with a GUI (Swing) that captures conditions, selectors, and initial values. Animation was carried out through timers using metaphorical actions (walking, running, hitting) and energy/life variables. As a result, a prototype was developed that visualizes each structure with its specific semantics and allows users to set parameters and observe effects in real time. The modular architecture and timed rendering provide fluidity and scalability. It is concluded that the microworld translates code logic into reproducible visual cues, reduces costly inferences, and supports stable mental models for flow control.