Development Of Computational Thinking Skills Research Articles

Measuring Acceptance of Block-Based Coding Environments

The development of computational thinking skills is attracting attention worldwide. The use of visual or block-based coding in primary schools has gained momentum. Yet, students' acceptance of such coding environments has been neglected in the literature. This study presents a measurement instrument that will allow pursuing such an endeavor. The Technology Acceptance Model was used as a guiding framework. A panel of eight experts and a purposive sample of 315 elementary school students (Mage = 10.18 years, SD = 1.13) were recruited. Inter-rater agreement between experts (75–100%) confirmed the content validity of the items. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a three-factor solution of 12 items measuring perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and attitudes towards visual coding. Inspection of the correlation matrix provided evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. Cronbach’s alpha (.75–.82), McDonald’s omega (.68–.83), and Spearman-Brown’s split-half coefficients (.67–.80) provided evidence of reliability. Overall, findings support the validity and reliability of the proposed instrument. Its use can shed light on students' acceptance of different block-based coding environments.

Educational Robotics Applications for the Development of Computational Thinking in a Brazilian Technical and Vocational High School

Nowadays, solving problems is substantial for the social relationship human. Computational Thinking (CT) emerges as an interdisciplinary thought process encompassing mental abilities to help students solve and understand problems. Researchers invest in the methodological proposal of activities aimed at CT stimulation, educational approaches, and the conception of technologies that support these activities’ execution. Educational Robotics (ER) is one of these technologies that stand out at different educational levels to favor teamwork, logical thinking, and creativity, skills intimately articulated with the computing paradigm. The main objective of this work is to investigate the impact of ER activities on CT development and subjects learning in the Technical and Vocational Education in High School. For this, we accomplished a study of intervention research type with students and teachers analyzing quantitative and qualitative aspects. The results indicate that the introduction of ER can favor students in the development of CT skills and learning High School subjects.

Does learning to code influence cognitive skills of elementary school children? Findings from a randomized experiment.

Coding has been added to school curricula in several countries, being one of the necessary competencies of the 21st century. Although it has also been suggested to foster the development of several cognitive skills such as computational thinking and problem-solving, studies on the effects of coding are very limited, provide mixed results, and lack causal evidence. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a learn-to-code programme on three cognitive skills in children: computational thinking, fluid intelligence, and spatial orientation, using a randomized trial. One hundred seventy-four (n = 81 girls) 4th-grade children participated in the study. Children were randomly assigned to one of the three 10-week learning programmes: learn-to-code (treatment of interest), mathematics (another STEM-related comparison treatment), and reading (control). Children responded to paper-pencil computational thinking, and spatial orientation measurements, and face-to-face matrix reasoning task at pre- and post-tests. Results showed that children's computational thinking scores increased significantly only in the learn-to-code condition. Fluid intelligence significantly increased in all conditions, possibly due to a practice effect. The spatial orientation did not improve in any of the conditions. These findings suggested that learning to code can be selectively beneficial for the development of computational thinking skills while not effective for spatial reasoning and fluid intelligence.

Exploring Factors That Influence Computational Thinking Skills in Elementary Students’ Collaborative Robotics

Recently educational robotics has expanded into curriculum beyond traditional STEM fields, and which can also be used to foster computational thinking (CT) skills. Prior research has shown numerous interdisciplinary benefits related to CT, however, these influential factors have often been investigated with relatively few variables. This study investigated factors that may lead to 4th and 5th grade elementary school students’ development of computational thinking skills in collaborative robotics activities by hypothesizing a model which proposed that a problem solving inventory, intrinsic motivation, and enjoyment were the main predictors of computational thinking skills. The model was then tested by surveying students with several psychometric inventories where a revised model was then constructed. The study found significant relationships between perceived competence and enjoyment, and learning motivation, and intrinsic motivation. Another important finding was that problem solving was a significant predictor of computational thinking skills. Results were interpreted with reference to implications for possible means of improving learning outcomes when using collaborative robotics in an educational setting.

Towards the Development of Computational Thinking and Mathematical Logic through Scratch

Currently the need to provide quality education to future generations has led to the development of new teaching methodologies, within this fact the tools provided by information technologies have been positioned as the future of learning, in this sense, the learning to program is no longer considered a selective skill in the field of computing, being today a necessity for any student who wants to be competent in this globalized and dynamic world. Within this context, the present research aims to analyze to what extent the use of the Scratch programming language allows the development of computational thinking skills and mathematical logic. The methodology consisted of the application of programming fundamentals through Scratch 3.0 to an experimental group composed of 25 students who were randomly selected from a population of 100 students, the data collection was carried out through a test of logical reasoning standardized by Acevedo and Oliva and a test of levels of computational thinking standardized by González. According to the results, a significant difference is postulated in the performance of the students in both tests, having a more considerable improvement in the criteria: Loops, Control of Variables (CV), Probability (PB) and Combinatorial Operations (CB). Therefore, it is concluded by highlighting the importance of teaching basic concepts of Computer Science such as computational thinking and mathematical logic, since it contributes to the internalization of concepts when developing algorithms in problem-solving.

From Gaming to Computational Thinking: An Adaptive Educational Computer Game-Based Learning Approach

Educational games have been increasingly used to improve students’ computational thinking. However, most existing games have focused on the theoretical knowledge of computational thinking, ignoring the development of computational thinking skills. Moreover, there is a lack of integration of adaptivity into educational computer games for computational thinking, which is crucial to addressing individual needs in developing computational thinking skills. In this study, we present an adaptive educational computer game, called AutoThinking, for developing students’ computational thinking skills in addition to their conceptual knowledge. To evaluate the effects of the game, we conducted an experimental study with 79 elementary school students in Estonia, where the experimental group learned with AutoThinking, while the control group used a traditional technology-enhanced learning approach. Our findings show that learning with the adaptive educational computer game significantly improved students’ computational thinking related to both conceptual knowledge and skills. Moreover, students using the adaptive educational computer game showed a significantly higher level of interest, satisfaction, flow state, and technology acceptance in learning computational thinking. Implications of the findings are also discussed.

Game-based collaborative learning framework for computational thinking development

Computational Thinking (CT) can amplify learners’ skill sets so that they become excellent problem-solvers. Game-Based Learning and Collaborative Learning are two approaches that may aid in the development of CT skills. This paper describes a framework based on Game and Problem-Based Learning Strategies which aims to enhance the CT teaching and improves students’ social skills, considering aspects of fun. The framework stands out for including collaborative learning features defined in the main literature. Also, the strategy was developed specifically to fit the games’ dynamics. The approach was evaluated via metacognitive and transactive analysis and by a survey. The results showed evidence that the method is able to stimulate interaction among students to apply problem-solving strategies.

Computational Thinking and Digital Games: Developing Skills With Fun

INTRODUCTION: Several researchers consider the importance of Computational Thinking being presented and developed from the earliest years of basic education and, furthermore, that digital games can be one of the vehicles to introduce it to children in schools. However, before developing new game solutions for this purpose, it is important to recognize how games can actually contribute to develop Computational Thinking, as well as to identify which skills have been worked on. OBJECTIVE: In this sense, this article presents the synthesis of a systematic mapping, whose objective was to identify how digital games can be used to develop Computational Thinking skills. METHOD: The objective was met by a systematic literature mapping executed by two reviewers and an expert. RESULTS: It was possible to identify some games used to stimulate the development of Computational Thinking skills, as well as the mechanics used by these games. CONCLUSION: It has been found that puzzle games are most commonly used to develop skills in Computational Reasoning. It has also been observed that the abilities of Abstraction and Algorithmic Thinking are the main skills developed in these games.

Revisiting the roles of educational robotics in improving learners’ computational thinking skills and their positive behaviour

This paper investigates the relationship between the use of robotics in learning towards self-efficacy and computational thinking skills. This paper also examines whether there is a relationship between computational thinking skills and self-efficacy. This paper employed a systematic literature review method by examining forty articles drawn from ‘computational thinking’, ‘self-efficacy’ and ‘educational robotics’ keywords in the literature. The majority of research indicates that the use of robotics in learning facilitates the development of computational thinking skills as well as learners’ self-efficacy. The paper advocates that future research should examine the extent of computational thinking skills and self-efficacy influence on student behavior.

Learning Computational Thinking Together: Effects of Gender Differences in Collaborative Middle School Robotics Program

Problem-solving and critical thinking are considered important skills to be developed by students, and are supported by the development of Computational Thinking (CT) skills. This study investigated the collaborative development of CT skills in sixth grade students via a six week LEGO robotics program. This robotics program focused on the development of four key CT skills: engineering/building, coding, problem-solving, and collaboration. Students in the program maintained journals of their activities, and these journals were analyzed in order to understand the collaborative development of CT skills in these students. Findings suggest that this process is a gendered one, with the boys focused more on the operational aspects of building and coding their robots while the girls focused more on group dynamics. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Enhancing Confidence in Using Computational Thinking Skills via Playing a Serious Game: A Case Study to Increase Motivation in Learning Computer Programming

Computer Science (CS) is a profession that positively impacts every single area of society without which today’s world would come to a complete halt. Yet, there is a consensus that CS has serious conundrums particularly in attracting students, low motivation for learning computer programming and developing computational thinking (CT) skills. New motivational methods are needed to take the attention of students and adapt to their learning patterns as how people learn have changed drastically over the last two decades. To address these issues, video games and video game-based tools are proposed as a primary approach for motivating and supporting students in developing their skills in CT and support their learning of introductory programming. This research is concerned with the capture of statistical evidence on the educational effectiveness of playing a serious game specifically designed to enhance the development of CT skills to facilitate learning introductory computer programming. A total of 190 students were invited to participate in a quasi-experimental pre-post study for the purpose of analyzing the impact of an adhoc game on students’ confidence in learning programming constructs and using their skills in CT. All students were studying a CS degree at the time and they were all registered to a first-year computer programming course. 151 out of 190 students successfully completed the study and the findings suggest that a) the intrinsic motivation to learn programming; b) students’ perception of their knowledge and their tangible knowledge in key programming constructs (i.e. programming sequence, methods, decision making and loops); and c) students’ confidence in using their CT skills were all statistically and significantly improved after playing the game. Additionally, students perceived computer programming significantly less difficult in their post study responses when compared to their pre study responses.

Educational Robotics in Primary School: Measuring the Development of Computational Thinking Skills with the Bebras Tasks

Research has shown that educational robotics can be an effective tool to increase students’ acquisition of knowledge in the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and promote, at the same time, a progression in the development of computational thinking (CT) skills in K–12 (kindergarten to 12th grade) education. Within this research field, the present study first sought to assess the effect of a robotics laboratory on the acquisition of CT-related skills in primary school children. The study also aimed to compare the magnitude of the effect of the laboratory across third- and fourth-grade students. For the purpose of the study, a quasi-experimental post-test-only design was adopted, and a group of 51 students, from third- and fourth-grade classrooms, participating in the robotics laboratories, were compared to a control group of 32 students from classrooms of the same grades. A set of Bebras tasks was selected as an overall measure of CT skills and was administered to children in both the intervention and control groups. Overall, the results showed that programming robotics artefacts may exert a positive impact on students’ learning of computational thinking skills. Moreover, the effect of the intervention was found to be greater among third-grade children.

Fostering Computational Thinking skills in the Last Years of Primary School

The introduction of Computational Thinking (CT) in Italian compulsory schools is on the way, and there is a general need for new methodologies to support teachers’ work. A one-year long learning path supporting the development of CT skills in primary school students through game making activities was defined and tested in a case study with one grade 5 class. All students in the class were actively involved regardless of their personal interest, their participation was generally high, their skills increased along the project, and the main objectives were reached. Nevertheless, results suggest that a longer time span is needed for students to master deeply the new concepts and tools, class organization proved to be crucial and this confirms the need for an adequate teachers’ training before introducing CT in classroom activities. Students demonstrated to be on the right path to approach CT through game making, but they still need to be guided in taking the player’s perspective and making their games easy to be understood and played. At the end of the case study, the learning path was revised and is now in use in a three-year long project in a primary school.

Developing a Two-Dimensional Categorization System for Educational Tasks in Informatics

Computational thinking is an increasingly important focus in computer science or informatics curricula around the world, and ways of incorporating it into the school curricula are being sought. The Bebras contest on informatics, which originated 12 years ago and now involves around 50 countries, consists of short problem-solving tasks based on topics in informatics. Bebras tasks engender the development of computational thinking skills by incorporating abstraction, algorithmic thinking, decomposition, evaluation and generalization. Bebras tasks cover a range of informatics concepts including algorithms and data structures, programming, networking, databases and social and ethical issues. Having built up a substantial number of Bebras tasks over 12 years it is important to be able to categorize them so that they can be easily accessed by the Bebras community and teachers within schools. The categorization of tasks within Bebras is important as it ensures that tasks span a wide range of topics; there have been several categorization schemes suggested to date. In this paper we present a new two-dimensional categorization system that takes account of computational thinking skills as well as content knowledge. Examples are given from recent tasks that illustrate the role that Bebras can play in the development of computational thinking skills.

Effect of Robotics on Elementary Preservice Teachers’ Self-Efficacy, Science Learning, and Computational Thinking

The current impetus for increasing STEM in K-12 education calls for an examination of how preservice teachers are being prepared to teach STEM. This paper reports on a study that examined elementary preservice teachers’ (n = 21) self-efficacy, understanding of science concepts, and computational thinking as they engaged with robotics in a science methods course. Data collection methods included pretests and posttests on science content, prequestionnaires and postquestionnaires for interest and self-efficacy, and four programming assignments. Statistical results showed that preservice teachers’ interest and self-efficacy with robotics increased. There was a statistically significant difference between preknowledge and postknowledge scores, and preservice teachers did show gains in learning how to write algorithms and debug programs over repeated programming tasks. The findings suggest that the robotics activity was an effective instructional strategy to enhance interest in robotics, increase self-efficacy to teach with robotics, develop understandings of science concepts, and promote the development of computational thinking skills. Study findings contribute quantitative evidence to the STEM literature on how robotics develops preservice teachers’ self-efficacy, science knowledge, and computational thinking skills in higher education science classroom contexts.

A Serious Game for Developing Computational Thinking and Learning Introductory Computer Programming

Owing to their ease of engagement and motivational nature, especially for younger age groups, games have been omnipresent in education since earliest times. More recently, computer video games have become widely used, particularly in secondary and tertiary education, to impart core knowledge in some subject areas and as an aid to attracting and retaining students. Academics have proposed a number of approaches, using games-based learning (GBL), to impart theoretical and applied knowledge, especially in the computer science discipline. Our research is concerned with the design of an innovative educational game framework focused on the development of Computational Thinking (CT) skills, and herein we introduce a serious game, based on our framework, which encourages the development of CT skills to facilitate learning introductory computer programming. We describe how a limited number of key introductory computer programming concepts have been mapped onto the game-play, and how an equivalent set of skills characterising CT can be acquired through playing the game. A survey response group of 25 students, following computer science and related degree programmes but with very diverse backgrounds and experience, provided initial usability feedback on the game. Their feedback confirmed that they found the game enjoyable, and also universally believed that this approach would be beneficial in helping students learn problem-solving skills for introductory computer programming. Feedback from this group will be incorporated in a revised version of the game, which will now be subject to rigorous experimental evaluation and analysis, to provide structured empirical evidence in support of our approach.