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We solicit original, unpublished research papers on computing technologies and visual languages for modelling, programming, communicating, and reasoning, which are easier to learn, use or understand by humans than the current state-of-the-art. Papers should focus on efforts to design, formalize, implement, or evaluate those technologies and languages. This includes tools and visual languages intended for general audiences (e.g., professional or novice programmers, or the public) or domain-specific audiences (e.g., people working in business administration, production environments, healthcare, urban design or scientific domains).

Dates
Tracks
Plenary
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Mon 11 Oct

Displayed time zone: Central Time (US & Canada) change

14:00 - 14:10
BreakSocial
14:00
10m
Coffee break
Break
Social

14:10 - 14:50
Helping Programmers BuildResearch Papers / Journal-First Presentations
Chair(s): Michael Coblenz University of Maryland at College Park
14:10
10m
Paper
Where-provenance for Bidirectional Editing in SpreadsheetsFull paper
Research Papers
Jack Williams Microsoft Research, Cambridge, Andrew D. Gordon Microsoft Research and University of Edinburgh
14:20
10m
Talk
Applications of model-driven engineering in cyber-physical systems: A systematic mapping studyJournal-first
Journal-First Presentations
Mustafa Abshir Mohamed Independent Researcher, Moharram Challenger University of Antwerp, Geylani Kardas Ege University
14:30
10m
Short-paper
Guided Optimization for Image Processing PipelinesShort paper
Research Papers
Yuka Ikarashi MIT CSAIL, Jonathan Ragan-Kelley Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tsukasa Fukusato The University of Tokyo, Jun Kato National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Takeo Igarashi The University of Tokyo
Pre-print
14:40
10m
Short-paper
A Toolkit for Building More Adaptable User Interfaces for Vision-impaired UsersShort paper
Research Papers
Calvin Luy Monash University, Jeremy Law Monash University, Lily Ho Monash University, Richard Matheson Monash University, Tracey Cai Monash University, Anuradha Madugalla Monash University, Australia, John Grundy Monash University
14:50 - 15:00
BreakSocial
14:50
10m
Coffee break
Break
Social

15:00 - 15:40
Lowering the Floor for Creative ExpressionResearch Papers
Chair(s): John Grundy Monash University
15:00
10m
Paper
VREUD - An End-User Development Tool to Simplify the Creation of Interactive VR ScenesFull paper
Research Papers
Enes Yigitbas Paderborn University, Germany, Jonas Klauke Paderborn University, Sebastian Gottschalk Paderborn University, Gregor Engels Paderborn University
15:10
10m
Paper
Preserving Hand-Drawn Qualities in Audiovisual Performance Through Sketch-Based InteractionFull paper
Research Papers
Samuelle Bourgault University of California Santa Barbara, Jennifer Mary Jacobs University of California, Santa Barbara
15:20
10m
Short-paper
Interactive Fiction Creation in Villanelle: Understanding and Supporting the Author ExperienceShort paper
Research Papers
John Bacher North Carolina State University, Chris Martens North Carolina State University
15:30
10m
Short-paper
Scaffolding Game Design: Towards tool support for planning open-ended projects in an introductory game design classShort paper
Research Papers
Alexander Card North Carolina State University, Wengran Wang North Carolina State University, Chris Martens North Carolina State University, Thomas Price North Carolina State University
15:50 - 16:00
BreakSocial
15:50
10m
Coffee break
Break
Social

Tue 12 Oct

Displayed time zone: Central Time (US & Canada) change

13:00 - 13:40
Teaching About Machine Learning and AIResearch Papers
Chair(s): Franklyn Turbak Wellesley College
13:00
10m
Paper
Exploring Machine Teaching with ChildrenFull paper
Research Papers
Utkarsh Dwivedi University of Maryland, Jaina Gandhi Clumio, Raj Parikh Bloomberg, Merijke Coenraad University of Maryland, Elizabeth Bonsignore University of Maryland, Hernisa Kacorri University of Maryland, College Park
13:10
10m
Paper
Designing a Visual Interface for Elementary Students to Formulate AI Planning TasksFull paper
Research Papers
Kyungjin Park North Carolina State University, Bradford Mott North Carolina State University, Seung Lee North Carolina State University, Krista Glazewski Indiana University, J. Adam Scribner Indiana University, Anne Leftwich Indiana University, Cindy Hmelo-Silver Indiana University, James Lester North Carolina State University
13:20
10m
Paper
ChatrEx: Designing Explainable Chatbot Interfaces for Enhancing Usefulness, Transparency, and TrustFull paper
Research Papers
Anjali Khurana Simon Fraser University, Parsa Alamzadeh Simon Fraser University, Parmit Chilana Simon Fraser University
13:30
10m
Short-paper
Teaching Students About Conversational AI Using Convo, a Conversational Programming AgentShort paper
Research Papers
Jessica Zhu Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Jessica Van Brummelen MIT
13:40 - 13:50
BreakSocial
13:40
10m
Coffee break
Break
Social

13:50 - 14:30
Understanding and Shortening the Feedback Loop in ProgrammingResearch Papers
Chair(s): Sandeep Kuttal The University of Tulsa
13:50
10m
Paper
Understanding the Challenges and Needs of Programmers Writing Web Automation ScriptsFull paper
Research Papers
Rebecca Krosnick University of Michigan, Steve Oney University of Michigan
14:00
10m
Paper
Edit-Run Behavior in Programming and DebuggingFull paper
Research Papers
Abdulaziz Alaboudi George Mason University, USA, Thomas LaToza George Mason University
14:10
10m
Short-paper
Immediate Feedback for Students to Solve Notebook Reproducibility Problems in the ClassroomShort paper
Research Papers
Christophe Casseau Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, CNRS, LaBRI, UMR5800, Jean-Rémy Falleri Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, CNRS, LaBRI. Institut Universitaire de France., Xavier Blanc Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, CNRS, LaBRI, UMR5800, Thomas Degueule CNRS, LaBRI
File Attached
14:20
10m
Short-paper
Shortening Feedback Loops in a Live Game Development EnvironmentShort paper
Research Papers
Tom Beckmann Hasso Plattner Institute, Eva Krebs Hasso Plattner Institute, University of Potsdam, Patrick Rein Hasso Plattner Institute, Stefan Ramson Hasso Plattner Institute, Germany, Robert Hirschfeld Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI), University of Potsdam, Germany
14:30 - 14:40
BreakSocial
14:30
10m
Coffee break
Break
Social

14:40 - 15:20
Visual Program and Information Representations (1)Research Papers
Chair(s): Stefan Sauer Paderborn University
14:40
10m
Paper
SQLVis: Visual Query Representations for Supporting SQL LearnersFull paper
Research Papers
Daphne Miedema Eindhoven University of Technology, George Fletcher Eindhoven University of Technology
14:50
10m
Paper
A Visual Notation for Succinct Program TracesFull paper
Research Papers
Divya Bajaj Oregon State University, Martin Erwig Oregon State University, Danila Fedorin Oregon State University, Kai Gay Oregon State University
15:00
10m
Paper
Text vs. Graphs in Argument AnalysisFull paper
Research Papers
Guilherme Carneiro University of St Andrews, Alice Toniolo University of St Andrews, Miguel A. Nacenta University of Victoria, Aaron J. Quigley University of New South Wales
15:10
10m
Short-paper
Travel Kinematics in Virtual Reality Increases Learning EfficiencyShort paper
Research Papers
Eric Nersesian New Jersey Institute of Technology, Margarita Vinnikov New Jersey Institute of Technology, Michael Lee New Jersey Institute of Technology
15:20 - 15:30
BreakSocial
15:30 - 16:10
Visual Program and Information Representations (2)Journal-First Presentations / Research Papers
Chair(s): Thomas LaToza George Mason University
15:30
10m
Paper
Exploring the impact of classification probabilities on users’ trust in ambiguous instancesFull paper
Research Papers
15:40
10m
Talk
An end-to-end model-based approach to support big data analytics developmentJournal-first
Journal-First Presentations
Hourieh Khalajzadeh Monash University, Australia, Anj Simmons Deakin University, Mohamed Abdelrazek Deakin University, Australia, John Grundy Monash University, John Hosking University of Auckland, Qiang He Swinburne University of Technology
15:50
10m
Talk
Run-time conflict detection in visual language parsingJournal-first
Journal-First Presentations
Gennaro Costagliola Università di Salerno, Vincenzo Deufemia University of Salerno, Filomena Ferrucci University of Salerno, Carmine Gravino University of Salerno
16:00
10m
Short-paper
Algot: An Educational Programming Language with Human-Intuitive Visual SyntaxShort paper
Research Papers
Sverrir Thorgeirsson ETH Zurich, Zhendong Su ETH Zurich
16:10 - 16:20
BreakSocial
16:10
10m
Coffee break
Break
Social

16:20 - 17:00
16:20
40m
Awards
Awards
Research Papers

Wed 13 Oct

Displayed time zone: Central Time (US & Canada) change

13:00 - 13:50
Improving Programming EducationResearch Papers
Chair(s): Scott Fleming University of Memphis
13:00
10m
Paper
Gradual Programming in Hedy: A first user studyFull paper
Research Papers
Marleen Gilsing Leiden University, Felienne Hermans Leiden University
13:10
10m
Paper
Snapdown: A Text-Based Snapshot Diagram Language for Programming EducationFull paper
Research Papers
13:20
10m
Paper
Removing the Walls Around Visual Educational Programming EnvironmentsFull paper
Research Papers
Brian Broll Vanderbilt University, Akos Ledeczi Vanderbilt University, Gordon Stein Vanderbilt University, Devin Cruz Jean Vanderbilt University, Corey Brady Vanderbilt University, Shuchi Grover Looking Glass Ventures / Stanford University, Veronica Catete North Carolina State University, Tiffany Barnes North Carolina State University
13:30
10m
Paper
Identifying Student Misunderstandings About Singly Linked Lists in the C Programming LanguageFull paper
Research Papers
Eman Almadhoun Oregon State University, Jennifer Parham-Mocello Oregon State University
13:40
10m
Short-paper
TextCode: A Tool to Support Problem Solving Among Novice ProgrammersShort paper
Research Papers
Fulvio Corno Politecnico di Torino, Luigi De Russis Politecnico di Torino, Juan Pablo Sáenz Politecnico di Torino
13:50 - 14:00
BreakSocial
13:50
10m
Coffee break
Break
Social

14:00 - 14:50
Interaction and Support at a DistanceResearch Papers / Journal-First Presentations
Chair(s): Parmit Chilana Simon Fraser University
14:00
10m
Paper
Remote Pair Collaborations of CS Students: Leaving Women Behind?Full paper
Research Papers
Caroline Lott The University of Tulsa, Alex McAuliffe The University of Tulsa, Sandeep Kuttal The University of Tulsa
14:10
10m
Paper
HowToo: A Platform for Sharing, Finding, and Using Programming StrategiesFull paper
Research Papers
Maryam Arab George Mason University, Jenny T. Liang University of Washington, Yang Kyu Yoo George Mason University, Amy Ko University of Washington, Thomas LaToza George Mason University
14:20
10m
Talk
How end-user programmers forage in online repositories? An information foraging perspectiveJournal-first
Journal-First Presentations
14:30
10m
Short-paper
Enabling Collaborative Distance Robotics Education for Novice ProgrammersShort paper
Research Papers
Gordon Stein Vanderbilt University, Akos Ledeczi Vanderbilt University
14:40
10m
Short-paper
Streamers Teaching Programming, Art, and Gaming: Cognitive Apprenticeship, Serendipitous Teachable Moments, and Tacit Expert KnowledgeShort paper
Research Papers
Ian Drosos University of California, San Diego, Philip Guo University of California San Diego
14:50 - 15:00
BreakSocial
14:50
10m
Coffee break
Break
Social

15:50 - 16:00
Conference ClosingResearch Papers
15:50
10m
Day closing
Conference Closing
Research Papers

16:00 - 17:00
Happy HourSocial
16:00
60m
Social Event
Happy Hour
Social

Accepted Papers

Title
Algot: An Educational Programming Language with Human-Intuitive Visual SyntaxShort paper
Research Papers
A Toolkit for Building More Adaptable User Interfaces for Vision-impaired UsersShort paper
Research Papers
A Visual Notation for Succinct Program TracesFull paper
Research Papers
ChatrEx: Designing Explainable Chatbot Interfaces for Enhancing Usefulness, Transparency, and TrustFull paper
Research Papers
Designing a Visual Interface for Elementary Students to Formulate AI Planning TasksFull paper
Research Papers
Edit-Run Behavior in Programming and DebuggingFull paper
Research Papers
Enabling Collaborative Distance Robotics Education for Novice ProgrammersShort paper
Research Papers
Exploring Machine Teaching with ChildrenFull paper
Research Papers
Exploring the impact of classification probabilities on users’ trust in ambiguous instancesFull paper
Research Papers
Gradual Programming in Hedy: A first user studyFull paper
Research Papers
Guided Optimization for Image Processing PipelinesShort paper
Research Papers
Pre-print
HowToo: A Platform for Sharing, Finding, and Using Programming StrategiesFull paper
Research Papers
Identifying Student Misunderstandings About Singly Linked Lists in the C Programming LanguageFull paper
Research Papers
Immediate Feedback for Students to Solve Notebook Reproducibility Problems in the ClassroomShort paper
Research Papers
File Attached
Interactive Fiction Creation in Villanelle: Understanding and Supporting the Author ExperienceShort paper
Research Papers
Preserving Hand-Drawn Qualities in Audiovisual Performance Through Sketch-Based InteractionFull paper
Research Papers
Remote Pair Collaborations of CS Students: Leaving Women Behind?Full paper
Research Papers
Removing the Walls Around Visual Educational Programming EnvironmentsFull paper
Research Papers
Scaffolding Game Design: Towards tool support for planning open-ended projects in an introductory game design classShort paper
Research Papers
Shortening Feedback Loops in a Live Game Development EnvironmentShort paper
Research Papers
Snapdown: A Text-Based Snapshot Diagram Language for Programming EducationFull paper
Research Papers
SQLVis: Visual Query Representations for Supporting SQL LearnersFull paper
Research Papers
Streamers Teaching Programming, Art, and Gaming: Cognitive Apprenticeship, Serendipitous Teachable Moments, and Tacit Expert KnowledgeShort paper
Research Papers
Teaching Students About Conversational AI Using Convo, a Conversational Programming AgentShort paper
Research Papers
TextCode: A Tool to Support Problem Solving Among Novice ProgrammersShort paper
Research Papers
Text vs. Graphs in Argument AnalysisFull paper
Research Papers
Travel Kinematics in Virtual Reality Increases Learning EfficiencyShort paper
Research Papers
Understanding the Challenges and Needs of Programmers Writing Web Automation ScriptsFull paper
Research Papers
VREUD - An End-User Development Tool to Simplify the Creation of Interactive VR ScenesFull paper
Research Papers
Where-provenance for Bidirectional Editing in SpreadsheetsFull paper
Research Papers

Call for Research Papers

Scope and Topics

We solicit original, unpublished research papers on computing technologies for modelling, programming, communicating, and reasoning, which are easier to learn, use or understand by humans than the current state-of-the-art. Papers should focus on efforts to design, formalize, implement, or evaluate those technologies and languages. This includes technologies intended for general audiences (e.g., professional or novice programmers, or the public) or domain-specific audiences (e.g., people working in business administration, production environments, healthcare, urban design or scientific domains).

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Tools for Collaborative Work
  • Tools for data science
  • Novel visual languages
  • Design, evaluation, and theory of visual languages
  • Supporting Inclusion and Diversity in Programming
  • End-user development, adaptation and programming
  • Explainable ML/AI
  • Visual modeling of socio-technical systems
  • Visual modeling of human behavior
  • Novel representations and user interfaces for expressing computation
  • Human aspects and psychology of software development and language design
  • Debugging and program understanding
  • Crowdsourcing design and development work
  • Computational thinking and Computer Science education
  • Model-driven development
  • Domain-specific languages, including modelling languages
  • Software visualization
  • Technologies and infrastructures for end user development
  • Evaluation of end user development technologies

If you are not sure if your paper is a good fit for VL/HCC, feel free to email the PC co-chairs, Steve Oney or Jácome Cunha.

Special Emphasis for 2021: Interaction at a Distance

This year’s special topic is “Interaction at a Distance”. COVID-19 may permanently change how we work, communicate, and collaborate in the future. Technology and software will continue to play an increasingly important role in mediating our interactions with other people. This year, we especially welcome papers at VL/HCC that design, build, or evaluate technologies that help us interact at a distance.

Paper submissions

We invite two kinds of papers: - full-length research papers, up to 8 pages—plus unlimited additional pages containing only references and/or acknowledgements - short research papers, up to 4 pages—plus unlimited additional pages containing only references and/or acknowledgements.

Papers must be submitted in a format suitable for anonymous review, and using the IEEE two-column conference paper format.

Papers should be submitted via the EasyChair system: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=vlhcc2021

To facilitate the assigning of papers to reviewers, we require paper abstracts to be submitted via EasyChair at least 1 week prior to the paper submission deadline (see Important Dates below). The abstract must be kept up to date such that it matches exactly the abstract in the submitted paper. The abstract must be no longer than 250 words.

All accepted papers, whether full or short, should be complete, self-contained, archival contributions. Contributions from full papers are more extensive than those from short papers. Work-in-progress, which has not yet yielded a contribution, should be submitted to the Showpieces category. All submissions will be reviewed by members of the Program Committee. Submissions and reviews for the technical program are managed with EasyChair. At least one author of each accepted paper is required to register for VL/HCC 2021 and present the paper at the conference. There will be a virtual presentation option in case of travel restrictions. IEEE reserves the right to exclude a paper from distribution after the conference, including IEEE Xplore Digital Library, if the paper is not presented by the author at the conference. Accepted papers will be available to conference attendees via the IEEE Open Preview program in the IEEE Xplore Digital Library (http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/). The proceedings are an official electronic publication of the IEEE in Computer Science, with an ISBN number. Be sure to use the current IEEE conference paper format (which was updated in 2019), and to select the “US letter” template:

http://www.ieee.org/conferences_events/conferences/publishing/templates.html

Double blind reviewing

We follow a double-blind reviewing process. Both authors and reviewers are expected to make every effort to honor the double-blind reviewing process. In case of questions, please contact the Program Chairs. Authors should ensure that the submission can be evaluated without it being obvious who wrote the paper. This means leaving author names off the paper and using terms like “previous research” rather than “our previous research” when describing background. However, do not hide previous work – papers must still reference all relevant research, including that by the current authors, so reviewers can evaluate novelty. It is important that authors specify all conflicts of interest with potential reviewers during the submission phase.

Reviewers should not undertake any investigation that might lead to the revealing of authors’ identity. If identities are inadvertently revealed, please contact the Program Chairs.

The Program Chairs will check all submissions for obvious signs of lack of anonymity and may ask authors to make changes and resubmit the paper within three days of the submission deadline. Only changes to resolve anonymity issues will be permitted

Important Deadlines

  • Abstracts-Only: April 23, 2021
  • Submission Deadline: April 30, 2021
  • Acceptance: June 11, 2021
  • Camera-Ready: July 9, 2021

General Conference: October 10-13