Evaluation of the online platforms used in teaching coding: Code.org

In this research, it is aimed to evaluate Code.org, which is one of the online platforms used in teaching coding, as a whole in terms of curriculum and software features. The evaluation of the curriculum is based on the ''Tyler's Objective-Centered Evaluation Model''. For the enrichment of the study, the other items mentioned in the model such as "Content", "Methods" and "Assessments" are included in the evaluation in addition to the "Objective". Software evaluation has been made in two dimensions including multimedia features-formal conformity and usability. The study is a mixed method of interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data obtained from descriptive and experimental methods. In the curriculum evaluation, the data obtained by various data collection instruments such as questionnaire, achievement test, researcher's notes, observation and feedback forms, and statistics kept on the platform are used. First, the 22-hour lesson was conducted with 22 students at secondary school level, according to the training program offered by the platform. In the one group pretest-posttest design process; the level of the students' achievement of the program objectives were assessed holistically with the prepared achievement test; the quality of learning experiences were assessed with the observations made during 6 lessons, students' opinions at the end of the implementation process, and the researcher notes related to the process in its entirety. The various statistics held on the platform were used to support the evaluation. Furthermore, questionnaire was implemented to the 225 teachers, most of who are from ICT branch and using Code.org platform in Turkey, and then with the help of the obtained data, the curriculum components and the software features of the platform were evaluated. The researcher's notes were also used in the evaluation of the software. According to the research findings, it is found that the objectives are partially suitable for the development level of the students; the content is missing in terms of ensuring targeted learning; and the assessments are inadequate in terms of level and diversity. According to the results of the achievement test, it is seen that there is a significant increase in favor of posttest. It is concluded that in terms of the level of achievement of the specified targets, the program is partially sufficient, but this has been achieved as a result of the lack of learning experience and the scoring rubric. It is also concluded that the platform has a strong structure in terms of multimedia design, but there are insufficiencies in issues such as help, support and instructions, and it is inadequate to customize in line with user requirements. Keywords: Curriculum Evaluation, Software Evaluation, Coding Education, Multimedia, Usability