In the current era where computational literacy holds significant relevance, a growing number of schools across the globe have placed emphasis on K-12 programming education. This field of education primarily comprises two distinct modalities--the block-based programming modality (BPM) and the text-based programming modality (TPM). Previous…

Scratch is widely used as an introductory educational tool for computer programming. However, little is known about how the action of adding favorite projects on Scratch social media influences programming skill improvement. On Scratch social media, learners select personally intriguing projects to view and learn from. Favorite projects both…

Providing appropriate feedback is important when learning to program. However, it is still unclear how different feedback strategies affect learning outcomes in programming. This study designed four different two-step programming feedback strategies and explored their impact on novice programmers' academic achievement, learning motivations, and…

Generalist primary school computer science (CS) teachers are often reluctant to introduce CS activities that go beyond CS unplugged tasks. To address this challenge, we drew from constructive alignment principles to implement a new programming modality for primary school: the handwriting programming language (HPL). HPL brings programming…

The purpose of this convergent mixed-methods study was to evaluate the effect of educational robotics on pre-service teachers' programming comprehension and motivation. Computer science is increasingly being integrated into K-8 curricula. However, a shortage of teachers trained to teach basic computer science concepts remains unresolved. This…

Problem-solving strategies are crucial in learning programming. Owing to their hidden nature, traditional methods such as interviews and questionnaires cannot reflect the details and differences of problem-solving strategies in programming. This study uses the Hidden Markov Model to detect and compare the problem-solving strategies of different…

This study investigated the effectiveness of localized learning content (LLC) in enhancing computational thinking (CT) skills and learning motivation among 6th-grade elementary school students in Busan, South Korea. In contrast to conventional methodological approaches, our research focuses on the transformative power of culturally and…

Computer science is often integrated within early childhood education (ECE) through the use of educational robots. This requires adequate preparation of ECE teachers to program and debug, which can be done with scaffolding. In this paper, we use a QUANT + qual mixed method approach incorporating lag sequential analysis, ICAP framework coding,…

This study investigated the effects of the single programming approach (plugged-in and unplugged) and the mixed programming approach (plugged-in-first and unplugged-first) on the computational thinking (CT) skills of first-grade students. However, focusing only on the programming learning approach itself is insufficient. Therefore, the influences…

The main purpose of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) is to improve academic performance through collaborative systems design. To increase the quantity and quality of interactions in CSCL and to reduce feelings of loneliness and burnout during online learning, learner group regulation should be supported. According to the…

An important course in the computer science discipline is 'Data Structures and Algorithms' (DSA). "The coursework" lays emphasis on experiential learning for building students' programming and algorithmic reasoning abilities. Teachers set up a repertoire of formative programming exercises to engage students with different programmatic…

Novice programmers, who have yet to form effective mental models of the domain, often experience high cognitive load, low confidence, and high anxiety, negatively affecting learning and retention rates. These cognitive and affective limitations pose an instructional challenge. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a whole-task…

Recently scientists have underscored a significant mismatch between the latest theoretical Computational Thinking conceptualizations as an upcoming literacy that goes beyond computer science, and its operationalizations in current empirical research and designs, which are limited to coding-centred and domain-specific tools and approaches. To…

Area measurement is a foundational component across STEM fields. The area formula offers limited insight for children trying to develop their area measurement reasoning skills, particularly when dealing with composite shapes. Spatial structuring, where children explore structural units of a 2D space, is an alternative approach. However, poor…

Since the late twentieth century, with the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), the IoT covers the application of comprehensive knowledge and technology in the fields of circuitry, physics, mechanics, and information, making it a suitable topic for hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities. The IoT covers…