Academic literature on the topic 'Computational thinkink'

En France, depuis 2016, l'initiation à la programmation informatique est présente dans les curricula scolaires de l'école obligatoire. L'objectif de cette thèse est de comprendre le processus de conceptualisation lors de la résolution de puzzles de programmation par des sujets âgés de 7 à 15 ans. À cette fin, nous combinons les apports respectifs de la théorie des champs conceptuels (Vergnaud, 1991) et de l'analyse de traces d'interaction dans un EIAH. Nous nous concentrons sur le concept de motif, en particulier lors des premières confrontations avec la notion de boucle en programmation par blocs. Nous définissons un motif comme « une entité repérable au sein d'un ensemble car répétée à l'identique ou avec des variations prédictibles » et mettons en évidence la place essentielle de ce concept lors de l'initiation à la pensée algorithmique. L'approche didactique adoptée vise à positionner le concept de motif au sein d'un champ conceptuel des notions de base de l'algorithmique, champ conceptuel qui a pour périmètre la programmation impérative en langage Scratch au niveau de l'école obligatoire. Au sein de ce champ conceptuel, nous approfondissons l'étude des situations de programmation d'un robot virtuel sur une grille qui requièrent l'utilisation d'une boucle. Notre protocole expérimental est adossé au concours en ligne de programmation Algoréa. Nous avons construit un outillage méthodologique incluant un dispositif de collecte de données à trois échelles, des analyses statistiques sur de larges échantillons, une automatisation du traitement de traces d'interaction avec l'EIAH, et des analyses qualitatives d'enregistrements vidéo d'écran. Cet outillage méthodologique, qui permet de combiner précision des analyses qualitatives et robustesse statistique, constitue l'un des apports de la thèse. Avec cette approche, nous avons d'abord réalisé une étude instrumentale de l'EIAH telle que la définit Rabardel (1995). Son but est de distinguer ce qui, dans l'activité, relève de la maîtrise conceptuelle et ce qui relève de la maîtrise instrumentale d'un environnement de programmation particulier. Nous nous sommes ensuite concentrés sur la conceptualisation-en-acte au sens de Vergnaud (1991). Nous avons identifié les schèmes mis en œuvre par le sujet lors de l'activité de programmation étudiée, notamment les invariants opératoires sous-jacents. Nos analyses nous permettent ainsi d'identifier et de documenter des paliers de difficulté et des erreurs récurrentes lors des premiers apprentissages de la boucle. Une de nos perspectives de recherche est de reproduire cette démarche pour mener des investigations sur l'ensemble des concepts abordés lors de l'initiation à la programmation informatique au niveau de l'école obligatoire. Ces résultats constituent une contribution de nature à outiller les enseignants de l'école élémentaire et du collège pour accompagner leurs élèves et les aider à surmonter les difficultés rencontrées lors de l'apprentissage des concepts fondamentaux de l'algorithmique<br>In France, since 2016, introduction to computer programming has been included in compulsory school curricula. The objective of this thesis is to understand the conceptualization process when solving programming puzzles by subjects aged 7 to 15 years old. To this end, we combine the respective contributions of conceptual field theory (Vergnaud, 1991) and the analysis of pupils activity in a TEL environment. We focus on the concept of pattern, in particular during the first confrontations with the loop notion in block programming. We define a pattern as “an entity identifiable within a set because it is repeated identically or with predictable variations” and highlight the essential place of this concept when initiating algorithmic thinking. The didactic approach adopted aims to position the concept of pattern within a conceptual field of basic notions of algorithms, a conceptual field which has as its scope imperative programming in Scratch language at compulsory school level. Within this conceptual field, we deepen the study of programming situations of a virtual robot on a grid which require the use of a loop. Our experimental protocol is backed by the Algoréa online programming competition. We are building methodological tools including a data collection device at three scales, statistical analyzes on large samples, automation of the processing of interaction traces with the EIAH, and qualitative analyzes of screen video recordings. This methodological tool, which makes it possible to combine the precision of qualitative analyzes and statistical robustness, constitutes one of the contributions of this thesis. With this approach, we first carry out an instrumental study of the TEL environmentas defined by Rabardel (1995). Its goal is to distinguish what, in the activity, relates to conceptual mastery and what relates to instrumental mastery of a particular programming environment. We then focus on conceptualization-in-act in the sense of Vergnaud(1991). We identify the schemes implemented by the subject during the programming activity studied, in particular the underlying operational invariants. Our analyzes allow us to identify and document levels of difficulty and recurring errors during the first learning of the loop. One of our research perspectives is to reproduce this approach to carry out investigations on all the concepts covered during the introduction to computer programming at compulsory school level. These results constitute a contribution likely to help elementary and middle school teachers to support their pupils and help them overcome the difficulties encountered when learning fundamental concepts of algorithms

Skill sets such as understanding and applying computational concepts are essential prerequisites for success in the 21st century. One can learn computational concepts by taking a traditional course offered in a school or by self-guided learning through an online platform. Collaborative learning has emerged as an approach that researchers have found to be generally applicable and effective for teaching computational concepts. Rather than learning individually, collaboration can help reduce the anxiety level of learners, improve understanding and create a positive atmosphere to learning Computational Thinking (CT). There is, however, limited research focusing on how natural collaborative interactions among learners manifest during learning of computational concepts. Structured as a manuscript style dissertation, this doctoral study investigates three different but related aspects of novice learners collaboratively learning CT. The first manuscript (qualitative study) provides an overall understanding of the contextual factors and characterizes collaborative aspects of learning in a CT face-to-face classroom at a large Southeastern University. The second manuscript (qualitative study) investigates the social interaction occurring between group members of the same classroom. And the third manuscript (quantitative study) focuses on the relationship between different social interactions initiated by users and learning of CT in an online learning platform Scratch™. In the two diverse settings, Chi's (2009) Differentiated Overt Learning Activities (DOLA) has been used as a lens to better understand the significance of social interactions in terms of being active, constructive and interactive. Together, the findings of this dissertation study contribute to the limited body of CT research by providing insight on novice learner's attitude towards learning CT, collaborative moments of learning CT, and the differences in relationship between social interactions and learning CT. The identification of collaborative attributes of CT is expected to help educators in designing learning activities that facilitate such interactions within group of learners and look out for traits of such activities to assess CT in both classroom and online settings.<br>PHD

We shall examine the Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) of Computer Science (CS) teachers concerning students’ Computational Thinking (CT) problem solving skills within the context of a CS course in Dutch secondary education and thus obtain an operational definition of CT and ascertain appropriate teaching methodology. Next we shall develop an instrument to assess students’ CT and design a curriculum intervention geared toward teaching and improving students’ CT problem solving skills and competences. As a result, this research will yield an operational definition of CT, knowledge about CT PCK, a CT assessment instrument and teaching materials and accompanying teacher instructions. It shall contribute to CS teacher education, development of CT education and to education in other (STEM) subjects where CT plays a supporting role, both nationally and internationally.

<p> Computational Thinking continues to gain popularity and traction within conversations about curriculum development for the 21^st century, but little exists in the literature to guide the inclusion of Computational Thinking into curriculum outside of K12. This Delphi study seeks to fill part of the gap in the literature and instantiate conversation in the Higher Education community about the importance of CT as a topic, and how it may be approached formally in curriculum development. </p><p> Over 3 rounds of Delphi panel deliberation, several interesting and informative themes emerged related to issues of domain expertise, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensurance of quality and integrity of computational knowledge, attitudes and practices through curricular initiatives. Additionally, potential solutions and vehicles for delivering strong outcomes are identified and discussed, through the lens of Landscapes of Practice (Wenger, 2014). </p>

x, 40 p. : col. ill.<br>Though the first computer programmers were female, women currently make up only a quarter of the computing industry. This lack of diversity jeopardizes technical innovation, creativity and profitability. As demand for talented computing professionals grows, both academia and industry are seeking ways to reach out to groups of individuals who are underrepresented in computer science, the largest of which is women. Women are most likely to succeed in computer science when they are introduced to computing concepts as children and are exposed over a long period of time. In this paper I show that computational thinking (the art of abstraction and automation) can be introduced earlier than has been demonstrated before. Building on ideas being developed for the state of California, I have created an entertaining and engaging educational software prototype that makes primary concepts accessible down to the third grade level.<br>Committee in charge: Michal Young, Chairperson; Joanna Goode, Member

Scratch is one of the most popular ways to teach younger children to code in K–8 throughout the U.S. and Europe. Despite its popularity, Scratch lacks a formative feedback tool to inform students and teachers of a student's progress in coding ability. Dr. Scratch was built to fill this need. This study seeks to answer if using Dr. Scratch as a formative feedback tool accelerates the students' progress in coding ability and Computational Thinking (CT). Forty-one 4th-6th grade students participated in a 1-hour/week Scratch workshop for nine weeks. We measured pre- and posttest results of the Computational Thinking Test (CTt) between control (n = 18) and treatment groups (n = 23) using three methods: propensity score matching (treatment = .575; control = .607; p = .696), information maximum likelihood technique (treatment effect = -.09; p = .006), and multiple linear regression. Both groups demonstrated significant increased posttest scores over their pretest (treatment = +8.31%; control = +5.43%), though which group improved the most varied depending on which test was run. We discuss the implications of using Dr. Scratch as a formative feedback tool and recommend further research on the use of such tools in elementary coding experiences.

Doctor of Philosophy<br>Department of Computer Science<br>William H. Hsu<br>Since the introduction of new curriculum standards at K-12 schools, computational thinking has become a major research area. Creating and delivering content to enhance these skills, as well as evaluation, remain open problems. This work describes different interventions based on the Scratch programming language aimed toward improving student self-efficacy in computer science and computational thinking. These interventions were applied at a STEM outreach program for 5th-9th grade students. Previous experience in STEM-related activities and subjects, as well as student self-efficacy, were surveyed using a developed pre- and post-survey. The impact of these interventions on student performance and confidence, as well as the validity of the instrument are discussed. To complement attitude surveys, a translation of Scratch to Blockly is proposed. This will record student programming behaviors for quantitative analysis of computational thinking in support of student self-efficacy. Outreach work with Kansas Starbase, as well as the Girl Scouts of the USA, is also described and evaluated. A key goal for computational thinking in the past 10 years has been to bring computer science to other disciplines. To test the gap from computer science to STEM, computational thinking exercises were embedded in an electromagnetic fields course. Integrating computation into theory courses in physics has been a curricular need, yet there are many difficulties and obstacles to overcome in integrating with existing curricula and programs. Recommendations from this experimental study are given towards integrating CT into physics a reality. As part of a continuing collaboration with physics, a comprehensive system for automated extraction of assessment data for descriptive analytics and visualization is also described.

Computational design is often depicted as an instrument for analysis or production, but it is also a space in which to explore and create new ways of working and thinking. This thesis explores how, through critically engaged practice, designers working computationally are uniquely able to envision and work toward desirable futures, challenging a techno-utopian status quo and projecting humane alternatives. What computational design methods, approaches, and strategies can help to bring about these desirable futures? Through primary research involving interviews with computational design practitioners, developing interactive software prototypes as investigative tools, and conducting design workshops, I investigate various modes of working computationally. Building on this research, I propose a three-part framework that synthesizes high-level approaches to computational design work. The first component, generating, reveals how computation enables the designer to work at various levels of abstraction, navigating large possibility spaces. The second, simulating, provides a frame for envisioning and modeling potential interventions in complex systems. Finally, interrogating, drawing from both Schön’s ‘reflective practice’ and Wark’s ‘hacker ethos,’ encourages computational designers to critically question their tools and practices in order to discover new ways of working and thinking. I conclude by discussing potential embodiments of this framework in computational design education.

The need for teachers of Elementary School children to learn to program or rather to understand the Computational Thinking behind programming has been accelerated in many countries by the mandated teaching of programming in the Elementary School context. Many steps have been taken in order to create awareness of this issue, such as the Computing At Schools initiative (CAS) which is established in the UK. CAS aims to support teaching in computing and connected fields in UK schools. Moreover, in the USA the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) was established to meet the purpose of informing and advising about the current development of computational thinking and to investigate and disseminate teaching and learning resources related to computational thinking. In Singapore research has been conducted by the government agency Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) whereby the major goal is to meet the needs in the ICT sector and ultimately to focus and inspire learners about programming. The research for this thesis involves the development of a training scheme for pre-service teachers that will introduce them to computational thinking through the use of the Flash Action Script Development environment. Flash Action Scripts - amongst several other tools - are used as a tool for creating interactive content and because Flash is one of the premiere tools used to create content for the internet; a tool programmed with Flash looks practically the same in every browser and on every operating system. Flash Action scripts use traditional coding skills but permit the user to see how each piece of code affects the running or execution of the program, allowing the user to have an instant visual understanding of what the code is doing. It is also widely available within university campuses. A major problem in promoting the teaching of programming and computational thinking to Elementary School teachers is that the majority of such teachers have no concept of how to program and naturally are not motivated to learn programming. Experienced teachers involved in the current study felt that programming was too complicated and thus it was hard to gain fluency in programming. Student teachers who had no previous experience in programming were, however, easier to get engaged in learning programming principles. Eighty percent of this group found Action Scripting a useful tool to understand basic programming and scripting. The need to teach programming will motivate most but to learn through a tool that can be seen to have intrinsic value in their role as teachers has a greater potential of success. This thesis defines the design and implementation of a tool to use the learning of Flash Action Scripting as a motivational mechanism for pre-service teachers. The intrinsic value to them is intended to be utilisation of the learned Action Scripting skills to produce their own teaching material. Initial results indicate an enhanced engagement and motivation to learn to program and improved confidence in doing so. As projected the pre-service teachers had a more positive attitude towards the potential of the learning tool but both they and the in-service teachers had improved attitudes and enthusiasm after the experiment. The results show that both pre-service and in-service teachers can be trained to be designers and producers of digital courseware in the previous absence of computational thinking skills and definitely they can acquire skills in computer programming such as Flash Action Scripts.