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07.11.2023 | Original Paper

Developing a Robotics Program to Support Students’ Computational Thinking: a Design-based Study

verfasst von: Qijie Vicky Cai, Huili Hong, Scot W. McNary, Liyan Song

Erschienen in: TechTrends | Ausgabe 6/2023

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Abstract

To broaden participation in robotics education, a free, after-school robotics program has been designed and developed at a public university. As part of a longitudinal study, this paper reports the first iteration of the program, offered to 12 students from Grades 3 through 7 in spring 2022. Three preservice teachers were trained as co-facilitators. Applying the design-based research methodology, we conducted a literature review to identify preliminary design principles for the robotics program, applied these principles to design specifications, and implemented the program with its first cohort of students. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from multiple sources. Findings reveal that students had positive program experience and demonstrated improved computational thinking (CT), but more scaffolds were needed to support the development of more advanced CT skills. Implications for future program design and research are discussed.
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Metadaten
Titel
Developing a Robotics Program to Support Students’ Computational Thinking: a Design-based Study
verfasst von
Qijie Vicky Cai
Huili Hong
Scot W. McNary
Liyan Song
Publikationsdatum
07.11.2023
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
TechTrends / Ausgabe 6/2023
Print ISSN: 8756-3894
Elektronische ISSN: 1559-7075
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-023-00907-0

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