https://par.nsf.gov/servlets/purl/10054119

Demystifying computational thinking

It represents a universally applicable attitude and skill set everyone, not just computer scientists, would be eager to learn and use.

/pdf/computational-thinking-ji-suan-lun-de-si-kao-3qvv34ha3s.pdf

Computational Thinking 計算論的思考

Advancing students' computational thinking skills through educational robotics

https://gala.gre.ac.uk/9243/1/(item_9243)_kazimoglu_2012_cms.pdf

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

This paper outlines an innovative game model for learning computational thinking (CT) skills through digital game-play. We have designed a game framework where students can practice and develop their skills in CT with little or no programming knowledge. We analyze how this game supports various CT concepts and how these concepts can be mapped to programming constructs to facilitate learning introductory computer programming. Moreover, we discuss the potential benefits of our approach as a support tool to foster student motivation and abilities in problem solving. As initial evaluation, we provide some analysis of feedback from a survey response group of 25 students who have played our game as a voluntary exercise. Structured empirical evaluation will follow, and the plan for that is briefly described.

Learning Programming at the Computational Thinking Level via Digital Game-Play

This paper outlines an innovative game-based approach to learning introductory programming that is grounded in the development of computational thinking at an abstract conceptual level, but also provides a direct contextual relationship between game-play and learning traditional introductory programming. The paper proposes a possible model for, and guidelines in support of, this games-based approach contextualized by an analysis of existing research into the issues of learning programming and game based learning approaches. Furthermore, the proposed game-based learning model focuses not only on procedural and applied knowledge and associated skills acquisition in computational thinking, but also provides contextualised theoretical knowledge on Computer Science concepts. By way of illustration, the authors introduce a game prototype currently being developed to combine a puzzle solving game-play that uses Computer Science concepts as the game elements.

Understanding Computational Thinking before Programming: Developing Guidelines for the Design of Games to Learn Introductory Programming through Game-Play

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.

/pdf/enhancing-confidence-in-using-computational-thinking-skills-1qq12jdbl7.pdf

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

In this paper, we discuss the problems students face when learning computer programming and describe our ongoing work that enables students to learn programming through the use of puzzle solving game-play. Learning how to program is difficult and has been identified as a potential reason for the high attrition rates within the Computer Science discipline. There is a need to develop a new way for students to learn programming that incorporates motivational challenges, timely and relevant feedback whilst still remaining focused on their learning outcomes. The game model presented here incorporated these fundamentals and grounded them at an abstract computational thinking level while providing a direct connection between game-play and programming constructs.

Cagin Kazimoglu

Papers

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

Learning Programming at the Computational Thinking Level via Digital Game-Play

Understanding Computational Thinking before Programming: Developing Guidelines for the Design of Games to Learn Introductory Programming through Game-Play

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

Developing a game model for computational thinking and learning traditional programming through game-play