Computational Thinking (Algorithms) Through Unplugged Programming Activities: Exploring Upper Primary Students’ Learning Experiences
In the recent year, Computational Thinking (CT) has gained much attention in educational research and practice. CT skills can be taught via computing activities that involve different types of programming tasks or via Unplugged Programming Activities (UPA) that do not involve the use of digital d...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Human Resource Management Academic Research Society
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/35636/1/algo2.pdf http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/35636/ https://hrmars.com/papers_submitted/8946/computational-thinking-algorithms-through-unplugged-programming-activities-exploring-upper-primary-students-learning-experiences.pdf http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v11-i14/8946 |
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| Institution: | Universiti Malaysia Sarawak |
| Language: | English |
| Summary: | In the recent year, Computational Thinking (CT) has gained much attention in educational research
and practice. CT skills can be taught via computing activities that involve different types of
programming tasks or via Unplugged Programming Activities (UPA) that do not involve the use of
digital devices to represent and deliver programming concepts. UPA is an appropriate teaching
approach for schools that do not have sufficient technological infrastructure. Studies have shown the
effectiveness of UPA in developing CT skills and is comparable to the technology driven learning
method. The aim of this study is to explore the experience of primary school students on their
learning of algorithms, which is one of the CT skills, through the UPA method. A total of 31 students
from a rural primary school were exposed to the learning about the algorithm concept (an aspect of
CT skills) via UPA learning materials. From the responses gathered through interviewing nine of these
participants, four main themes (Good Learning Quality, Much Knowledge, Easy and Useful) related
to their learning experiences have been derived. These positive themes provide evidence on the
appropriateness of employing UPA for teaching the algorithm aspect of CT, particularly for schools
located in areas with limited access to adequate technological infrastructure. This study may serve
as a reference in establishing a comprehensive UPA module for teaching algorithms aspect of CT
skills. |
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