Journal article
Computational thinking as a foundation for coding: Developing student engagement and learning
Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, Vol.24(2), pp.10-15
01/01/2019
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Abstract
Computational thinking can be defined as "solving problems, designing systems, and understanding human behaviour, by drawing on the concepts fundamental to computer science" (Wing, 2006, p. 33). There are strong links between computational thinking associated with coding and mathematical thinking (Wing, 2006). The digital technologies curriculum promotes children's use of "computational thinking and information systems to define, design and implement digital solutions" (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA], 2018a, np). This article is an analysis of a learning activity that was completed as part of a larger research project conducted in two Brisbane primary schools. In this article, the authors describe a learning activity in which seven classes of Year 2 students investigated and subsequently developed coding sequences (of varying complexity) in order to solve simple spatial problems using Beebots.
Details
- Title
- Computational thinking as a foundation for coding: Developing student engagement and learning
- Creators
- Aspa Baroutsis - Griffith UniversitySonia L. J White - Queensland University of TechnologyElla Ferdinands - Queensland Department of EducationWilliam Goldsmith - Queensland Department of EducationElizabeth Lambert - Queensland Department of Education
- Publication Details
- Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, Vol.24(2), pp.10-15
- Publisher
- Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers Inc.
- Number of pages
- 6
- Grant note
- This research was funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Award (DE160100830) awarded to Associate Professor Sonia L. J. White.
- Identifiers
- 991012993179102368
- Copyright
- © Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers Inc, 2019
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article