Pair programming (PP) can help improve students' computational thinking (CT), but the trajectory of CT skills and the differences between high-scoring and low-scoring students in PP are unknown and need further exploration. In this study, a total of 32 fifth graders worked on Scratch tasks in 16 pairs. The group discourse of three learning topics…

This case study explores the challenges of conducting a culture-based educational design research project for early childhood educators in an online environment that is further complicated by an international pandemic. The project applied a systematic learning process to better understand computational thinking. Twelve early childhood educators…

Analyzing qualitative data from learning processes is considered "messy" and time consuming (Chi in J Learn Sci 6(3):271-315, 1997). It is often challenging to summarize and synthesize such data in a manner that conveys the richness and complexity of learning processes in a clear and concise manner. Moreover, qualitative data often…

Underpinning the teaching of coding with Computational Thinking has proved relevant for diverse learners, particularly given the increasing demand in upskilling for today's labour market. While literature on computing education is vast, it remains unexplored how existing CT conceptualisations relate to the learning opportunities needed for a…

Professional profiles are unstructured documents where the knowledge and experience of the editor predominate, presenting inconsistencies and ambiguities in terms of the competencies they contain, making complicated the recognition of knowledge and skills necessary for the proposal of university study programs. Also, the identification of…

In the context of a rapid digital transformation, digital competence is now regarded as a fourth cultural skill complementing reading, writing, and arithmetic. We argue that a well-structured and sound competence model is needed as a shared foundation for learning, teaching, pedagogical diagnostics and evaluative schemes in the school system.…

Coding learning can promote the development of computational thinking (CT) in young children. The effect of coding learning on CT may vary between different cultures. However, it lacks studies to evaluate the effect of coding learning on the various dimensions of CT in young Chinese children. To provide insight into this question, we recruited…

Perceptual learning theory suggests that perceptual grouping in mathematical expressions can direct students' attention toward specific parts of problems, thus impacting their mathematical reasoning. Using in-lab eye tracking and a sample of 85 undergraduates from a STEM-focused university, we investigated how higher-order operator position (HOO;…

Background: Fiber crafts occupy a vital position in technology innovation and present a promising space for computer science education, which continues to face lopsided participation. It remains unclear whether and how fiber crafts can become a context for computational learning and what role different materials play with the risk to miss…

There is a growing consensus that AI literacy requires a holistic lens, including not only technical knowledge and skills but also social and ethical considerations. Yet, providing holistic AI education for upper-primary students remains challenging due to the abstract and complex nature of AI and a lack of pedagogical experiences in schools.…

The importance of developing computational thinking (CT) skills has created many practices and research. A significant amount of research exists in the literature on CT and its related skills, yet the rareness of research studies focusing on both quantitative and qualitative evaluations of students' CT skills in real school settings is remarkable.…

Background: Computational thinking (CT) is crucial to fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Many elementary schools have been cultivating students' CT through block-based programming languages such as Scratch using traditional teacher-centered teaching methods. However, the approach excessively relies on teacher lectures, so the…

Computational thinking (CT) is considered an essential literacy skill for all children to develop, yet conceptual, practical, and empirical work with preschool-age children is scarce. A particular gap in the research is how CT instruction should be enacted (e.g., free play, guided play, levels of scaffolding, degree of child-initiated activities,…

This study explores the role of socially shared regulation on computational thinking performance in cooperative learning. Ninety-four middle school students from China aged between 16 and 18 participated in this study. Forty-six students were in the experimental group, and 48 students were in the control group. Students in the experimental group…

Previous research has been limited regarding the measurement of computational thinking, particularly as a learning progression in K-12. This study proposes to apply a multidimensional item response theory (IRT) model to a newly developed measure of computational thinking utilizing both selected response and open-ended polytomous items to establish…