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A Pedagogical Framework for Computational Thinking

  • Mathematics and Programming
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Abstract

Our goal in this paper is to propose a Computational Thinking Pedagogical Framework (CTPF), developed from constructionism and social-constructivism theories. CTPF includes four pedagogical experiences: (1) unplugged, (2) tinkering, (3) making, and (4) remixing. Unplugged experiences focus on activities implemented without the use of computers. Tinkering experiences primarily involve activities that take things apart and engaging in changes and/or modifications to existing objects. Making experiences involve activities where constructing new objects is the primary focus. Remixing refers to those experiences that involve the appropriation of objects or components of objects for use in other objects or for other purposes. Objects can be digital, tangible, or even conceptual. These experiences reflect distinct yet overlapping CT experiences which are all proposed to be necessary in order for students to fully experience CT. In some cases, particularly for novices and depending on the concepts under exploration, a sequential approach to these experiences may be helpful.

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Acknowledgements

This paper was based on the Namukasa et al. (2015) working group report from the Math + Coding Symposium, Western University, London, Canada. We would like to acknowledge the early contributions of Yasmin B. Kafai and Laura Morrison, and the feedback from George Gadanidis. This research was funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant to George Gadanidis, Donna Kotsopoulos, and Immaculate Kizito Namukasa.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education and Faculty of Science (Department of Mathematics), Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3C5, Canada

    Donna Kotsopoulos

  2. Faculty of Education, Western University/Thames Valley District School Board, London, ON, Canada

    Lisa Floyd

  3. Faculty of Education, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada

    Steven Khan

  4. Faculty of Education, Western University, London, ON, Canada

    Immaculate Kizito Namukasa

  5. Department of Computer Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Sowmya Somanath

  6. Waterloo Catholic District School Board, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Jessica Weber

  7. Department of Computer Science, Western University, London, ON, Canada

    Chris Yiu

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  1. Donna Kotsopoulos
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  2. Lisa Floyd
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  3. Steven Khan
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  4. Immaculate Kizito Namukasa
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Correspondence to Donna Kotsopoulos.

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Kotsopoulos, D., Floyd, L., Khan, S. et al. A Pedagogical Framework for Computational Thinking. Digit Exp Math Educ 3, 154–171 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40751-017-0031-2

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