The concept, development and assessment of computational thinking have increasingly become the focus of research in recent years. Most of this type of research focuses on older children or adults. Preschool age is a sensitive period when many skills develop intensively, so the development of computational thinking skills can already begin at this…

This study examines the effects of plugged and unplugged programming tools used in algorithm teaching at the K-12 level on student computational thinking skills and to determine whether gender is a factor in this process. The study group was designed with a control group pre-test--post-test; quasi-experimental model, that consisted of 109 students…

This study aims to provide a deeper understanding about the Bebras tasks, which is one of the computational thinking (CT) unplugged activities, in terms of age level, task category, and CT skills. Explanatory sequential mixed method was adopted in the study in order to collect data according to the research questions. The participants of the study…

Shortcuts to use when performing operations with the calculator are given. Algorithms discussed include reciprocals, powers, parentheses, infinite series, and synthetic division. (MP)

The calculator is used to explore the distributive property of a unary operator over a binary operator. This is an extension of an earlier paper. The emphasis is on student discovery of the property for various combinations of the operators. Instructional material contained in the report include a reference sheet of questions for potential…

A collection of games and puzzles that teachers can use to replace or supplement the usual textbook subtraction examples involving large numbers is given. Most of the nine activities are self-checking. (MNS)

Solutions to difficult equations are illustrated with numerical techniques that can be used easily on calculators. Flowcharts and programs for computers and calculators are included. (MP)

Investigating properties and characteristics of unary operations is shown to be facilitated by using calculators. Several avenues for instructional exploration are suggested and examples given. These include questions relating to relations, inverses, commutativity, distributivity, and iterations. A discussion of the calculator algorithm for…

Two worksheets are given, outlining algorithms to help students determine the day of the week an event will occur and to find the date for Easter. The activity provides computational practice. A computer program for determining Easter is also included. (MNS)

An approach is suggested to the use of sets of practice exercises that is more like the actual use of computation by adults and may be more effective in attaining accuracy and speed. (MP)

Helping teachers to build a strong bridge from concrete experiences to algorithms is the focus. A detailed sequence of activities is described. (MN)

Instructional sequences are presented for teaching two-digit multiplication and division with one- and two-digit divisors using a base-oriented approach. (MN)

A teaching sequence provides a guide to instruction on initial concepts of fractions, equivalent fractions, and addition with fractions. (MN)

The calculator is used to investigate properties and characteristics of certain unary operations. These include how a number is related to the number resulting from a unary operation and the result of two unary operations. A discussion of the calculator algorithm to accomplish a series of unary operations is given. Record sheets to summarize…

It is suggested that the reasons for teaching the standard written algorithms for calculations are not out of date. Alternative algorithms, such as mental algorithms, calculators, and nonstandard written methods, are discussed. (MP)