Computational Thinking and Mathematics

Author(s):  
Thiago Schumacher Barcelos ◽  
Ismar Frango Silveira

On the one hand, ensuring that students archive adequate levels of Mathematical knowledge by the time they finish basic education is a challenge for the educational systems in several countries. On the other hand, the pervasiveness of computer-based devices in everyday situations poses a fundamental question about Computer Science being part of those known as basic sciences. The development of Computer Science (CS) is historically related to Mathematics; however, CS is said to have singular reasoning mechanics for problem solving, whose applications go beyond the frontiers of Computing itself. These problem-solving skills have been defined as Computational Thinking skills. In this chapter, the possible relationships between Math and Computational Thinking skills are discussed in the perspective of national curriculum guidelines for Mathematics of Brazil, Chile, and United States. Three skills that can be jointly developed by both areas are identified in a literature review. Some challenges and implications for educational research and practice are also discussed.

Author(s):  
Thiago Schumacher Barcelos ◽  
Ismar Frango Silveira

On the one hand, ensuring that students archive adequate levels of Mathematical knowledge by the time they finish basic education is a challenge for the educational systems in several countries. On the other hand, the pervasiveness of computer-based devices in everyday situations poses a fundamental question about Computer Science being part of those known as basic sciences. The development of Computer Science (CS) is historically related to Mathematics; however, CS is said to have singular reasoning mechanics for problem solving, whose applications go beyond the frontiers of Computing itself. These problem-solving skills have been defined as Computational Thinking skills. In this chapter, the possible relationships between Math and Computational Thinking skills are discussed in the perspective of national curriculum guidelines for Mathematics of Brazil, Chile, and United States. Three skills that can be jointly developed by both areas are identified in a literature review. Some challenges and implications for educational research and practice are also discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (02) ◽  
pp. e15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline M. Fernández ◽  
Mariela E. Zúñiga ◽  
María V. Rosas ◽  
Roberto A. Guerrero

Computational Thinking (CT) represents a possible alternative for improving students’ academic performance in higher level degree related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This work describes two different experimental proposals with the aim of introducing computational thinking to the problem solving issue. The first one was an introductory course in the Faculty of Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences (FCFMyN) in 2017, for students enrolled in computer science related careers. The other experience was a first attempt to introduce CT to students and teachers belonging to not computer related faculties at the National University of San Luis (UNSL). Both initiatives use CT as a mean of improving the problem solving process based on the four following elementary concepts: Decomposition, Abstraction, Recognition of patterns and Algorithm. The results of the experiences indicate the relevance of including CT in the learning problem solving issue in different fields. The experiences also conclude that a mandatory CT related course is necessary for those careers having computational problems solving and/or programming related subjects during the first year of their curricula. Part of this work was presented at the XXIII Argentine Congress of Computer Science (CACIC).


Author(s):  
Hanna Viitala

Mathematical thinking and problem solving are essential parts of learning mathematics described in the Finnish National Core Curriculum for Basic Education. Evaluations on both have been done at national and international level. However, in a request for deeper understanding of pupils’ mathematical thinking we need to move beyond paper tests. This paper is a first look into the mathematical thinking of two Finnish girls, Emma and Nora, in their final year of Finnish comprehensive school. After solving a real-life situated problem in a classroom, the girls talk about mathematics and problem solving in an interview. The focus of the analysis is on the learning objectives, core content and final-assessment criteria related to thinking skills and methods in the Finnish curriculum. Also some results on metacognition and affect will be reported. The results suggest that while both pupils have similar achievement level in mathematics, their competences are different: Emma is more competent in problem solving and Nora is more self-confident and self-guided in learning mathematics and can more easily recognize mathematics outside school.


RENOTE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Alexandre Nascimento ◽  
Débora Abdalla dos Santos ◽  
Adolfo Tanzi Neto

This study aimed to investigate possible contributions of Computational Thinking for the Teaching and Learning Portuguese Language in Basic Education. Interventions were carried out in the teaching of Portuguese Language content through didactic sequences that included the association of the subject to Computer Science. The data collected, through focus groups, interviews and diaries were evaluated qualitatively based on the literature. Based on the results obtained, there are indications that the integration between the Computational Thinking skills and the indexes explored during the Portuguese Language classes is possible and that they are integrated in teaching and learning.


2021 ◽  
pp. 004723952110188
Author(s):  
Ali Battal ◽  
Gülgün Afacan Adanır ◽  
Yasemin Gülbahar

The computer science (CS) unplugged approach intends to teach CS concepts and computational thinking skills without employing any digital tools. The current study conducted a systematic literature review to analyze research studies that conducted investigations related to implementations of CS unplugged activities. A systematic review procedure was developed and applied to detect and subsequently review relevant research studies published from 2010 to 2019. It was found that 55 research studies (17 articles + 38 conference proceedings) satisfied the inclusion criteria for the analysis. These research studies were then examined with regard to their demographic characteristics, research methodologies, research results, and main findings. It was found that the unplugged approach was realized and utilized differently among researchers. The majority of the studies used the CS unplugged term when referring to “paper–pencil activities,” “problem solving,” “storytelling,” “games,” “tangible programming,” and even “robotics.”


2021 ◽  
pp. 105345122110249
Author(s):  
Amy Hutchison ◽  
Anya S. Evmenova

States increasingly are adopting computer science standards to help students develop coding and computational thinking skills. In an effort to support teachers in introducing computer science content to their students with high-incidence disabilities, a new model, computer science integration planning plus universal design for learning (CSIP+) offers ways to integrate computational thinking and coding into content area instruction. This column presents an example of how a teacher might implement the CSIP+ model when designing instruction accessible to all learners. Guiding questions to support teachers at each phase of the planning cycle are provided.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anderson Corrêa de Lima ◽  
Quesia De Araújo Santos ◽  
Amaury Antônio de Castro Junior ◽  
Claudio Zarate Sanavria

One of the most important issues discussed in computer science ineducation involves the professions of the future and the skills thatwill be required of these professionals. This paper discusses a skillthat is among the most important: Computational Thinking (CP).In this scenario, it is still notable the low participation of womenin areas related to technology. As a result, many countries havealready stimulated CP education since basic education. The goalis that future generations can not only operate, but understandhow technology is produced. One of the ways to stimulate CP inbasic education using Computer Science Unplugged (CSU). Themain contribution of this work, unlike others that have alreadyused CSU, was the proposal of a CSU intervention in a playful environment,which considers gamification principles, such as: phases,time, awards, scores, among others, in addition to the constructionof scenarios period and interaction with female scientist characters.The results of the intervention were collected through simplifiedquestionnaires for girls and increased to be quite positive.


Author(s):  
Nor Hasbiah Ubaidullah ◽  
Zulkifley Mohamed ◽  
Jamilah Hamid ◽  
Suliana Sulaiman ◽  
Rahmah Lob Yussof

Admittedly, the teaching and learning of programming courses in the computer science and information technology programs have been extremely challenging. Currently, most instructors depend on either the problem-solving technique or the metacognitive technique to help students develop a range of cognitive skills, including metacognitive skills, which are important in the development of a strong computational thinking skill required for 21st-century learning. Studies focusing on the practices of instructors in using both techniques are scarce, thus motivating the researchers to carry out this study. This study was based on a qualitative approach involving a case-study design in which five (5) male and five (5) female instructors were selected from 10 pre-university centers in Malaysia as the respondents and participants in an intervention program. The research instruments used were an interview checklist and intervention guidelines. As anticipated, the findings showed that the activities of each technique could only help students develop certain sub-skills of the computational thinking skill, thus underscoring the need for instructors to integrate both techniques in their teaching practices. Thus, it could be reasoned that using either the metacognitive technique or the problem-solving technique alone would not be sufficient to help students develop strong computational thinking skills, as each technique has its strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, it becomes imperative for instructors to leverage the strengths of both techniques by integrating both of them in the teaching and learning of programming courses.


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