Accelerating K-12 computational thinking using scaffolding, staging, and abstraction (original) (raw)

Computational Thinking in K-2 Classrooms: Evidence from Student Artifacts (Fundamental)

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings

Hoda is a Ph.D. student in the School of Engineering Education, Purdue. She received her B.S. in mechanical engineering in Iran, and obtained her M.S. in Childhood Education and New York teaching certification from City College of New York (CUNY-CCNY). She is now a graduate research assistant on STEM+C project. Her research interests include designing informal setting for engineering learning, and promoting engineering thinking in differently abled students in informal and formal settings.

Broadening the Middle School Computational Thinking Interventions Beyond Block Programming

Dr. Dorodchi has been teaching in the field of computing for over 30 years of which 20 years as an educator. He has taught the majority of the courses in the computer science and engineering curriculum over the past 20 years such as introductory programming, data structures, databases, software engineering, system programming, etc. He has been involved in a number of National Science Foundation supported grant projects including Scholarship for STEM students (S-STEM), Researcher Practitioner Partnership (RPP), IUSE, and EAGER.

Building Computational Thinking Through Programming in K-6 Education: A New Zealand Experience

2015

The recent inclusion of computational skills in core curriculum by governments in the UK and Australia, has been linked to industry calls for schools to better equip young people with capabilities and dispositions aligned with needs of future high-tech industries and rapidly changing workplaces. This move has stimulated much interest in New Zealand, and while lacking any compulsory curriculum mandate, many teachers in K-12 classrooms are exploring the potential of coding tasks for developing computational skills as part of their mathematics, science and technology curricula. This paper reports findings from a study that used a unique data capture app embedded in iPads to record 9&10 year old students while they used two apps of very different designs for coding tasks. Using Studiocode video analysis software, data were analysed using a framework developed from Brennan and Resnick’s [1] three dimensions of computational thinking, to learn more about how these apps constituted useful ...

Developing Computational Thinking: Approaches and Orientations in K-12 Education

This paper reports on initial findings of a study on developing computational thinking (CT) as a 21st Century skill. Extensive desktop research collecting evidences from the (academic and grey) literature has been complemented with a survey on policy documents and several semi-structured interviews with policy makers, researchers and practitioners involved in the implementation of relevant policy and grassroots initiatives to further understand the uptake of CT approaches in K-12 educational contexts. Preliminary findings from the literature review indicate that the debate on definitional issues remains open. Despite an increasing number of CT implementations in both formal and informal education settings, research still appears necessary on how CT skills develop in K-12 students, what pedagogical approaches can facilitate the effective introduction of CT concepts, and how the acquisition of CT skills should be assessed in practice.

Using Scaffolded Activities to Teach Computational Thinking to Middle School Girls

Abstract—We describe a set of workshop activities designed around computational thinking concepts and skills for GirlsCreateIT!, an after-school program to provide middle school girls the opportunity to learn about computing. Each workshop activity was created to introduce the girls to computing tools and computational thinking while also being fun and motivating; examples include working with stories and games as well as simple web applications.

Serious toys: three years of teaching computer science concepts in K-12 classrooms

Computational thinking represents a collection of structured problem solving skills that cross-cut educational disciplines. There is significant future value in introducing these skills as early as practical in students' academic careers. Over the past three years, we have developed, piloted, and evaluated a series of K-12 outreach modules designed to introduce fundamental computing concepts. We piloted two modules with more than 340 students, and evaluation results show that the modules are having a positive impact. We combined the two previously piloted modules with a newly developed module and piloted the combined program with over 170 students. Evaluation results again show that the combination is having a positive impact. In this paper, we summarize the program, discuss our experiences piloting it, and summarize key evaluation results. Our hope is to engender discussion and adoption of the materials at other institutions.

Empowering K-12 students with disabilities to learn computational thinking and computer programming

Mr. Rose, a third grade general education teacher, and Ms. Smith, a special education teacher, co-teach in an urban elementary school with a high number of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. The school integrates computer science and computational thinking into curriculum as part of their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) initiative. Mr. Rose and Ms. Smith have identified several challenges they will need to address to meet the needs of several of their students with learning disabilities. These challenges include difficulty with complex, multistep problem solving, lack of access to and experience with technology, and difficulty with fine motor skills.

Computational Thinking for All: Pedagogical Approaches to Embedding 21st Century Problem Solving in K-12 Classrooms

TechTrends, 2016

The recent focus on computational thinking as a key 21st century skill for all students has led to a number of curriculum initiatives to embed it in K-12 classrooms. In this paper, we discuss the key computational thinking constructs, including algorithms, abstraction, and automation. We further discuss how these ideas are related to current educational reforms, such as Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards and provide specific means that would allow teachers to embed these ideas in their K-12 classrooms, including recommendations for instructional technologists and professional development experts for infusing computational thinking into other subjects. In conclusion, we suggest that computational thinking ideas outlined in this paper are key to moving students from merely being technology-literate to using computational tools to solve problems.

Connecting computational thinking in everyday reasoning and programming for elementary school students

Journal of research on technology in education, 2020

Computational thinking (CT) has been advocated as an essential problem solving skill students need to develop. Emphasizing on CT applied in both programming and everyday contexts, we developed a humanoid robotics curriculum and a computerized assessment instrument. We implemented the curriculum with six classes of 125 fifth graders. Quantitative methods were used to compare students' performance from pretest to posttest. Learning analytics techniques were applied to examine students' problem solving processes. The results showed that students' CT performance improved in both programming and everyday reasoning contexts and that the curriculum benefited students with varied initial performance. The study shed light on how to connect and assess CT in everyday reasoning and programming contexts.

Computational Thinking in K–12 A Review of the State of the Field

Jeannette Wing's influential article on computational thinking 6 years ago argued for adding this new competency to every child's analytical ability as a vital ingredient of STEM learning. What is computational thinking? Why did this article resonate with so many and serve as a rallying cry for educators, education researchers, and policy makers? How have they interpreted Wing's definition, and what advances have been made since Wing's article was published?