Development of Computational Thinking Scale: Validity and Reliability Study

Buket Ertugrul-Akyol

doi:10.12973/ijem.5.3.421

Abstract

<p style="text-align:justify">Computational thinking is a way of thinking that covers 21st century skills and includes new generation concepts such as robotics, coding, informatics and information construction. Computational thinking has reached an important point especially in the field of science in line with the rapid developments in technology. Robotics applications, software-based activities, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education and problem-based studies are some of the areas where this thinking is used. In this study, which is based on this point, it is aimed to develop a scale for computational thinking. Exploratory sequential design, one of the mixed research methods, was used in the study. First of all, a detailed literature review was conducted and needs analysis was carried out. This study consists of two stages. In the first stage, exploratory factor analysis was performed and analyzed with SPSS 23 program. In the second stage, confirmatory factor analysis was performed and analyzed with LISREL 9.2 program. As a result of the study, the goodness of fit indexes of the scale was found. According to this; X<sup>2</sup>/df value 1.81; NNFI value 0.97; NFI value 0.93; CFI value 0.98; RMR value 0.05; SRMR value 0.04; AGFI value 0.91 and GFI value was found to be 0.93. When the reliability values of the study were examined, Cronbach’s Alpha value was found to be 0.86. As a result of the research, a computational thinking scale consisting of 3 factors and 30 items was developed. This scale was developed for prospective teachers and can be used at all levels of prospective teachers.</p>

Highlights

Changes in science and technology have affected individuals' thinking and behavioral patterns (Dalrymple, 2011)
55 items were determined by experts and doctoral theses in the field of scale development, 1 Professor, 4 Associate Professors, 5 Doctors and 5 research assistants who are similar in line with their opinions, do not fit the scale structure, do not enter the subject area and thought to serve the purpose the number of items was reduced to 42 by reexamining the related literature
When the research findings related to the validity analyzes of the scale development studies conducted in the field of educational sciences are examined (Gul & Sozbilir, 2015; Kucuk, Yilmaz, Baydas & Goktas, 2014), it was seen that the scope and appearance validity is one of the most preferred validity types due to the nature of the scale development studies

Summary

Introduction

Changes in science and technology have affected individuals' thinking and behavioral patterns (Dalrymple, 2011). Many of the interfaces used in social media accounts work with this logic and proceed with a certain algorithmic workflow (Cinar & Tuzun, 2017; Feurzeig & Papert, 2011) Based on these statements, computational thinking, “It can be expressed as a process of creating new information or decisions that make sense through a certain algorithmic process by making calculations and inferences” (Cetin & Toluk Ucar, 2017; Kalelioglu, Gulbahar & Kukul, 2016). There are some behavioral patterns that students, individuals and people of all ages are expected to gain with computational thinking skills (Ozden, 2015; Wing, 2006) These are; 422 ERTUGRUL-AKYOL / Development of Computational Thinking Scale: Validity and Reliability Study

Methods

Results

Conclusion