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A Systematic Review of Computational Thinking Approach for Programming Education in Higher Education Institutions

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Published:21 November 2019Publication History

ABSTRACT

This study examined how computational thinking (CT) has been used to teach problem-solving skills and programming education in the recent past. This study specifically (i) identified articles that discussed CT approach for programming education at higher education institutions (HEIs), (ii) classified the different CT approaches and tools employed for programming education at HEIs, (iii) synthesised and discussed results that are reported by relevant studies that utilized CT for teaching programming at HEIs. A systematic literature review methodology was adopted in this study. Out of 161 articles retrieved, 33 of them that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Our study revealed that the use of CT at HEIs for programming education began in 2010; many studies did not specify the context of use, but the use of CT is found to be gaining grounds in many contexts, especially the developed countries; course design approach was mostly employed by educators to introduce CT at HEIs for programming education. Furthermore, this study pointed out how CT approach can be explored for designing a smart learning environment to support students in learning computer programming.

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    • Published in

      cover image ACM Other conferences
      Koli Calling '19: Proceedings of the 19th Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research
      November 2019
      247 pages
      ISBN:9781450377157
      DOI:10.1145/3364510

      Copyright © 2019 ACM

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      Publication History

      • Published: 21 November 2019

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