Computational Thinking Framework Research Articles

Computational thinking as part of compulsory education: How is it represented in Swedish and Norwegian curricula?

In recent years, many countries have revised their school policy documents to incorporate digital competence, computational thinking and programming. This study examines and compares how and in what contexts Nordic curricula, Swedish and Norwegian in particular, embody aspects of computational thinking. Results show that only parts of the practices defined in the computational thinking framework used for analysis could be explicitly identified in the curriculum documents. The most salient computational thinking practice represented in both the Swedish and Norwegian curricula is programming, and programming is primarily recognized as a method and tool for learning other subject content and not as a knowledge domain in its own right. Implicitly both curricula leave leeway for teachers to implement a broader approach to computational thinking. However, this would need much time, teacher competence and effort, and what it requires seems to be under-communicated in the curricula, leaving schools and teachers with major challenges.

Developing a pedagogical evaluation framework for computational thinking supporting technologies and tools

Frameworks for the evaluation of technological instructional tools provide educators with criteria to assess the pedagogical suitability and effectiveness of those tools to address learners’ needs, support teachers’ understanding of learning progress, and recognize the levels of achievement and the learning outcomes of the students. This study applied secondary document analysis and case study to identify five pedagogical indicators for teaching and learning computational thinking, including technology, pedagogical approaches, assessment techniques, data aspect, and teacher professional development. Based on the pedagogical indicators, this study proposed a computational thinking pedagogical assessment framework (CT-PAF) aimed at supporting educators with a strategy to assess the different technological learning tools in terms of pedagogical impact and outcome. Furthermore, three case-study instructional tools for teaching CT in K-12 were analyzed for the initial assessment of CT-PAF. Scratch, Google Teachable Machine, and the iThinkSmart minigames were marched to the underpinning characteristics and attributes of CT-PAF to evaluate the framework across the instructional tools. The initial assessment of CT-PAF indicates that the framework is suitable for the intended purpose of evaluating technological instructional tools for pedagogical impact and outcome. A need for expanded assessment is, therefore, necessary to further ascertain the relevance of the framework in other cases.

An Integrated Design-Based Learning Management Model to Promote Thai Undergraduate Computational Thinking Skills and Programming Proficiency

The study applied concepts of computational thinking, waterfall programming, and design-based learning management (DBLM) combined with a participatory action research (PAR) methodology to obtain an integrated learning management model (LMM) designed as a base to promote computational thinking skills (CTS) and programming proficiency. The study used three groups consisting of 21 volunteer computer science undergraduate students, three teachers, and three computer studies graduates from the Computer Studies Department of the Faculty of Education at Thonburi Rajabhat University in Thailand. To verify the model, nine educational experts conducted an assessment of the proposed model, and determined that the evaluation standards were overall at a high level (x ̅ = 4.23, SD = 0.44), with the experts feeling that the integration of the DBLM computational thinking framework, the Waterfall programming conceptual framework, and the PAR met the study's stated objectives at the highest level (x ̅ = 4.56, SD = 0.53). The proposed model is best undertaken in five week sessions of five hours each using five exercises per week. In doing each activity, the effectiveness of each activity is to be measured by taking notes, worksheets, and practice skills. The resultant outcome was that the groups jointly participated in finding a model which offered CTS and programming skill training which encouraged the participants to learn together to develop activities based on common needs.

Computational Modeling in High School Physics First: Postcards from the Edge

Multiple initiatives contend that all students should master computational thinking, including the Next Generation Science Standards, the K-12 Framework for Computational Thinking, and Code.org. In turn, many physics teachers have begun to explore a variety of approaches to integrating computational modeling through programming. These activities go beyond graphical analysis tools and interactive simulations that have been a recent staple for physics educators.

Design science research for learning software engineering and computational thinking: Four cases

AbstractThis study proposes design science research (DSR) as a relevant framework for computational thinking, software engineering, and science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics integration in higher education. We present four concrete case examples, where DSR has been applied in projects that consist of interdisciplinary teams, which learn by designing solutions for pressing real‐world problems. Our results show that DSR is a potent framework for learning to tackle pressing and wicked problems, and connecting technology projects with research methodology and knowledge from other fields. Our results also show multiple learning gains, including creativity, communication, critical thinking and collaboration. Based on our case analysis, we recommend more extensive use of DSR in future technology curricula.

Developing the Computer Programming Self-Efficacy Scale for Computer Literacy Education

Computer programming has been gradually emphasized in recent computer literacy education and regarded as a requirement for all middle school students in some countries. To understand young students’ perceptions about their own learning in computer programming, this study aimed to develop an instrument, Computer Programming Self-Efficacy Scale (CPSES), for all students above middle school levels. Based on Berland and Lee’s computational thinking framework, this study developed the CPSES items at a literacy level and finally the instrument included the five subscales: Logical Thinking, Algorithm, Debug, Control, and Cooperation. An exploratory factor analysis and reliability tests were conducted in this study. The reliability alpha was .96 for the overall scale, and ranged from .84 to .96 for the subscales. This study also confirmed the positive correlation between computer programming experience and computer programming self-efficacy. In addition, for low- and middle-experienced learners, significant gender differences were found in two subscales: Algorithm and Debug. The CPSES can be applied as an evaluation tool in computer education, robotics education, as well as integrated STEM or STEAM education in which computer programming was regarded as a part of computer literacy.

A Pedagogical Framework for Computational Thinking

Our goal in this paper is to propose a Computational Thinking Pedagogical Framework (CTPF), developed from constructionism and social-constructivism theories. CTPF includes four pedagogical experiences: (1) unplugged, (2) tinkering, (3) making, and (4) remixing. Unplugged experiences focus on activities implemented without the use of computers. Tinkering experiences primarily involve activities that take things apart and engaging in changes and/or modifications to existing objects. Making experiences involve activities where constructing new objects is the primary focus. Remixing refers to those experiences that involve the appropriation of objects or components of objects for use in other objects or for other purposes. Objects can be digital, tangible, or even conceptual. These experiences reflect distinct yet overlapping CT experiences which are all proposed to be necessary in order for students to fully experience CT. In some cases, particularly for novices and depending on the concepts under exploration, a sequential approach to these experiences may be helpful.