Pre-service Teachers Computational Thinking (CT) and Pedagogical Growth in a Micro-credential: A Mixed Methods Study

Teacher preparation programs are essential to ensure pre-service teachers are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to teach in the PK-12 learning environment, but are rooted in a traditional paradigm of a compacted curriculum with little room for more content. The addition of Computational Thinking (CT) becomes one more thing to add to a packed schedule and integration of CT into established courses takes major redesign of courses. One university in Maryland, U.S. developed a CT focused micro-credential for K-8 pre-service and in-service teachers. In examining pre- and post-content surveys, reflection journal entries and lesson plans, pre-service teachers report CT and pedagogical content growth in their awareness and integration of CT in their lives and future classrooms. Results indicate a CT micro-credential could be an innovative solution to adding CT content to an over-packed, pre-service curriculum. In addition, CT micro-credential courses increased pre-service teachers' knowledge and self-awareness to the feasibility to proficiently implement CT across all courses.