scholarly journals A double dissociative study into the effectiveness of computational thinking

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 1181-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C. Calderon ◽  
Deiniol Skillicorn ◽  
Andrew Watt ◽  
Nick Perham
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Abstract Thinking ◽  
Classroom Intervention ◽  
Rigorous Analysis ◽  
Mixed Anova ◽  
Percentage Improvement ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Algorithmic Thinking

Abstract We propose the first steps towards a rigorous analysis of the effectiveness of an emerging pedagogy, Computational Thinking. We found that two aspects of the pedagogy have a positive effect with regard to enhancing two cognitive processes, namely sequential thinking and in abstract thinking. Our data was gathered experimentally with a cohort of mixed-ability undergraduate students enrolled on three distinct courses. The study employed a mixed 2 × 2 factorial design with type of classroom intervention, measurements were taken at baseline and following delivery of computational thinking methodologies designed to focus on specific components of the pedagogy. The dependent variable was percentage improvement from baseline, and the analyses were conducted using 2 × 2 mixed ANOVA, an alpha criterion of p < .05 was adopted for all analyses. The specific components investigated were algorithmic thinking and abstraction, and we found a positive correlation between enhancements of sequentiality and abstract thinking.

scholarly journals Major Re-selection Advising and Academic Performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah McKenzie ◽  
Tony Xing Tan ◽  
Edward C. Fletcher ◽  
Andrea Jackson-Williams
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Grade Point Averages ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Group Design ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Positive Effect

We sought to determine whether receiving major re-selection (MRS) advising benefits undergraduate students' grade-point averages (GPAs). We used a quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group design to compare a treatment group (n = 219) of undergraduates who changed their majors after receiving MRS advising with a control group (n = 206) who changed majors without advising during the same semester as the treatment group. Findings showed that, on average, students who received MRS experienced no change in their program GPA but an increase in their semester GPA; however, the control group experienced a decrease in program and semester GPAs. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that MRS advising had a positive effect on posttest semester GPAs (β = .33, p &lt; .001) and program GPAs (β = .28, p &lt; .001). Implications for student advising are discussed.

How do Bebras Tasks Explore Algorithmic Thinking Skill in a Computational Thinking Contest?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Liz Souto Oliveira ◽  
Wilkerson L. Andrade ◽  
Dalton D. Serey Guerrero ◽  
Monilly Ramos Araujo Melo
Keyword(s):  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Thinking Skill ◽  
Algorithmic Thinking

Assessing Algorithmic Thinking Skills in Early Childhood Education

2020 ◽  
pp. 104-139
Author(s):  
Kalliopi Kanaki ◽  
Michail Kalogiannakis ◽  
Dimitrios Stamovlasis
Keyword(s):  
Latent Class ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Second Grade ◽  
Environmental Study ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
School Students ◽  
Skill Levels ◽  
Algorithmic Thinking

This chapter presents part of a wider project aimed at developing computational thinking assessment instruments for first and second grade primary school students. The applicability of the specific proposed tool, which concerns merely the algorithmic thinking (AT), was tested within the Environmental Study course (ESc). The main pillar of the work is the computational environment PhysGramming. The assessment of AT was based on mental tasks involving puzzles which require AT abilities. The AT test comprised of four puzzles with 4, 6, 9, and 12 pieces respectively, and the puzzle-solving performance was measured at the nominal level (success/failure). Latent class analysis (LCA), a robust multivariate method for categorical data, was implemented, which distinguished two clusters/latent classes corresponding to two distinct levels of AT. Moreover, LCA with covariates, such as gender, grade, achievement in ESc, and the use of plan revealed the association of the above variables with the AT skill-levels. Finally, the results and their implications for theory and practice are discussed.

scholarly journals The influence of SRA programming on algorithmic thinking and self-efficacy using Lego robotics in two types of instruction

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nardie L. J. A. Fanchamps ◽  
Lou Slangen ◽  
Paul Hennissen ◽  
Marcus Specht
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Preliminary Measurement ◽  
Grid Diagrams ◽  
Mathematical Problems ◽  
Measured Effect ◽  
Primary School Pupils ◽  
Types Of Instruction ◽  
Algorithmic Thinking

AbstractThis study investigates the development of algorithmic thinking as a part of computational thinking skills and self-efficacy of primary school pupils using programmable robots in different instruction variants. Computational thinking is defined in the context of twenty-first century skills and describes processes involved in (re)formulating a problem in a way that a computer can process it. Programming robots offers specific affordances as it can be used to develop programs following a Sense-Reason-Act (SRA) cycle. The literature provides evidence that programming robots has the potential to enhance algorithmic thinking as a component of computational thinking. Specifically there are indications that pupils who use SRA-programming learn algorithmic skills better and achieve a higher level of self-efficacy in an open, scaffold learning environment than through direct instruction. In order to determine the influence of the instruction variant used, an experimental research design was made in which pupils solved algorithm-based mathematical problems (grid diagrams) in a preliminary measurement and their self-efficacy determined via a questionnaire. As an intervention, pupils learn to solve programming issues in pairs using “Lego NXT” robots and “Mindstorms” software in two instruction variants. The post-measurement consists of a Lego challenge, solving mathematical problems (grid diagrams), and a repeated self-efficacy questionnaire. This research shows an increase of our measures on algorithmic thinking dependent on the amount of SRA usage (though not significant). Programming using the SRA-cycle can be considered as the cause of the measured effect. The instruction variant used during the robotic intervention seems to play only a marginal role.

scholarly journals Hardiness, Perseverative Cognition, Anxiety, and Health-Related Outcomes: A Case for and Against Psychological Hardiness

2018 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 2096-2118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Marcin Kowalski ◽  
Julie Aitken Schermer
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Personality Style ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Psychological Hardiness ◽  
Perseverative Cognition ◽  
Partial Correlations ◽  
Health Related ◽  
And Coping

The present study investigates the utility of psychological hardiness as well as the differences between rumination and worry. Undergraduate students completed questionnaires assessing hardiness, worry, rumination, mindfulness, neuroticism, anxiety, somatization, coping, and health. Correlations and partial correlations controlling for neuroticism were examined. Hardiness was negatively correlated with neuroticism, rumination, worry, and anxiety and positively correlated with mindfulness, coping, and health. When neuroticism was statistically controlled, the relationships between hardiness and rumination, health, and coping became nonsignificant, and the relationships between hardiness and worry, mindfulness, and anxiety, although attenuated, remained significant. Rumination and worry were positively correlated, but when neuroticism was statistically controlled, this relationship became nonsignificant. The results suggest that hardiness is better conceptualized as a personality style that contributes to psychological well-being. Furthermore, our findings suggest that rumination and worry are distinct cognitive processes.

scholarly journals Expressive Writing to Relieve Academic Stress at University Level

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-33
Author(s):  
Juanita Argudo
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Academic Stress ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
University Level ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Shed Light

This paper reports on a descriptive mixed-method study that aimed to identify the impact of expressive writing on relieving the academic stress of 157 undergraduate students at an Ecuadorian university. Data were gathered through two questionnaires and from focus groups. Results showed enduring relief of academic stress. Furthermore, they help to shed light on the need to study the impact of academic stress on university students and to look for different strategies that can alleviate it. These findings could help to understand students’ needs, as they have essential implications in teachers’ practices and, consequently, in students’ performance. In conclusion, expressive writing has a positive effect on helping to ease academic stress and overcome some difficulties caused by this issue.

scholarly journals Reflecting on Computational Thinking Studies for High School Education

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
Debby Erce Sondakh
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
School Education ◽  
High School Education ◽  
Algorithmic Thinking

Berpikir komputasional telah diakui sebagai suatu kebutuhan dalam menyelesaikan masalah yang kompleks. Beberapa penelitian telah dilakukan untuk memperkenalkan keterampilan ini ke semua tingkat pendidikan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meninjau penelitian tentang berpikir komputasi pada tingkat sekolah menengah. Khususnya, penelitian ini mengkaji domain penelitian, mengidentifikasi metode-metode untuk memperkenalkan berpikir komputasional, serta konsep-konsep berpikir komputasional yang diajarkan kepada pelajar. Tinjauan literatur sistematik dilakukan untuk mencapai tujuan tersebut. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan: penelitian berpikir komputasional mencakup kajian teori, pengembangan kurikulum, pengukuran, dan pengembangan alat. Kajian teori ditujukan untuk memformulasikan konsep. Selain keterampilan teknis, soft-skills telah dinyatakan sebagai elemen berpikir komputasional. Namun, perhatian untuk melibatkan soft-skills dalam penelitian masih kurang. Sebagian besar penelitian difokuskan pada integrasi berpikir komptasional ke dalam kurikulum. Coding menjadi metode yang paling banyak digunakan untuk mengajarkan berpikir komputasional. Sehingga, algorithmic thinking dan abstraction muncul sebagai keterampilan yang paling sering diajarkan atau diukur. Akhirnya, penelitian ini menggarisbawahi adanya kesenjangan untuk dikaji lebih lanjut yaitu berkaitan dengan pengukuran keterampilan berpikir komputasional dan untuk menyertakan soft-skills pada penelitian berpikir komputasional. Kata Kunci—Berpikir komputasional, Sekolah menengah, Penyelesaian masalah

scholarly journals Upbringing of Student Teachers in Extracurricular Activities in the Context of Distance Learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (08) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Roman Sergeevich Nagovitsyn ◽  
Roza Alekseevna Valeeva ◽  
Aleksander Yurievich Osipov ◽  
Mikhail Dmitrievich Kudryavtsev ◽  
Larisa Vyacheslavovna Zakharova
Keyword(s):  
Student Teachers ◽  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Future Teachers ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Positive Effect

The introduction of distance technologies is necessary in the professional training of students, despite various assessments of its effectiveness. Hence the purpose of the study: to develop an upbringing system for students in a distance format and experimentally prove its impact on the main directions of upbringing of future teachers, in comparison with extracurricular activities in full-time mode. 156 undergraduate students took part in the experiment. Experimental research is the author's paradigm for the formation of youth upbringing in extracurricular activities, which includes six synergistically interrelated areas. The upbringing student system developed in the study was tested in two formats of implementation: in full-time format at the first stage of the study and in distance format in the second half of the study. The statistical data obtained during the study confirm the effectiveness of the implementation of extracurricular activities for the formation of the upbringing of future teachers only in full-time format. The introduction of distance technologies in the implementation of upbringing extracurricular activities does not have a positive effect on students, but in some areas has an opposite negative effect. The practical significance of the study is determined by the introduction of a self-analysis and monitoring system into the educational process through the use of Facebook and VKontakte social networks.

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