Effectiveness of CS Unplugged Program in Developing Programming Skills for Eighth Grade Female Students

Abstract

This study aims at identifying the effectiveness of CS Unplugged program for developing programming skills among eighth-grade female students. The study tools consist of a test to measure the cognitive side of programming skills in Scratch language, in addition to a product evaluation card to measure the performance aspect of programming skills in Scratch language. The sample of the study consisted of (14) female students from the eighth primary grade in Khan Yunis Preparatory Co. School "C". The study applies quasi-experimental design. The results indicated there are statistically significant differences between the ranks of the students’ grades in the programming skills pre- test application, and the ranks of their scores in the post application. The CS Unplugged program has a great impact on developing the cognitive aspect of programming skills. There are statistically significant differences between the ranks of the students’ grades in the product evaluation card in the pre application, and the ranks of their scores in the post application as the average of the positive ranks is greater than the average of the negative ranks. The CS Unplugged program has a great impact on developing the performance side of programming skills. The study concluded with the most important recommendations, as there is need for the Ministry of Education to adopt the CS Unplugged program in the plan of teaching programming curriculum for the various stages; especially in light of the limited capabilities of the Gaza Strip.