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Problem-Solving Before Instruction PS-I: A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
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Assessing cognitive components of computational thinking.

Andrew J Mertens1, Eliana Colunga1

  • 1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Computational Thinking (CT) skills, like decomposition, are crucial for K-12 education. This study found that decomposition ability in children strongly correlates with their programming proficiency and experience.

Keywords:
Computer Scienceabstractioncognitioncomputational thinkingcomputer science educationdecompositionprogrammingsequencing

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Area of Science:

  • Computer Science Education
  • Cognitive Development
  • Educational Psychology

Background:

  • Computer Science (CS) education is expanding in K-12 settings.
  • Computational Thinking (CT) is a set of generalizable skills developed through programming.
  • CT skills like decomposition, sequencing, and abstraction are theorized to be key components.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To adapt cognitive tests to measure CT components.
  • To investigate the relationship between CT measures and programming proficiency/experience in children.
  • To provide evidence for CT skills in K-12 computer science education.

Main Methods:

  • Three studies were conducted with children aged 8-12 and fourth graders.
  • Cognitive tasks were adapted to assess decomposition, sequencing, and abstraction.
  • Programming proficiency and experience were measured as correlates.

Main Results:

  • Performance on decomposition tasks consistently correlated with programming proficiency in young children.
  • The study provides evidence for the link between CT skills and programming ability.
  • Results suggest a developmental progression for CT-related skills.

Conclusions:

  • Decomposition skills are a measurable and relevant component of Computational Thinking in children.
  • The findings support the integration of CT into K-12 CS curricula.
  • Further research can explore the developmental trajectory of CT skills.