Towards Uniting Computational Thinking Problem Solving Stratiegies with App Inventor Background
Problem-Solving Process
The term Computational Thinking has become popular in computer science education since Wing [11] identified that this kind of thinking is basically not about thinking like a computer but rather to think like we humans think when we design problem-solving processes for computers.
Therefore, we see the actual process of solving a problem and finding a solution is described in six steps to make a successful solving process more likely. The modified problem process includes: (1) Understand the App Inventor task as whole and restate the challenge to unveil new perspectives to support the solution process. Also, state clearly what the App should be able to do. (2) Decompose the App Inventor task up into smaller, easier sub tasks. This involves finding structure in the problem and determining how the various components will fit together in the final solution. (3) Abstract the App Inventor task in a way that allows you to work on the actual problem before finalizing the application. (4) Design an App that integrates all steps above and unites the results of the sub tasks. (5) Evaluate whether a App meets the initial criteria. (6) Generalize the solution found for an possible integration into another App and for a wider variety of similar problems.
In Lee et al. [6] computational thinking is described as a process that involves defining, understanding, and solving problems, whereas Curzon [3] is reasoning at multiple levels of abstraction, understanding and generalization, while evaluating the appropriateness of the abstractions made. Furthermore, Wing [12] suggested that the most important and high-level thought process in computational thinking is the abstraction process, which is used to let one object stand for many. Based on this and further publications by Barr et al. [2], Curzon et al. [3], Selby et al. [8] and Kafura et al. [5] we derived a problem solving process for combining it with MIT App Inventor for providing students a framework to create mobile applications.
Worksheets We designed worksheets for integrating the App Inventor with the problem-solving process mentioned above. The idea is to guide students along the process in finding the solution to the task.
Experiences made with App Inventor The MIT App Inventor is based on block programming similar to Scratch. Experiences we made, showed us, that the tool is easy accessible for students without much prior knowledge required about programming. Beyond creating simple games or tools, it is also possible to communicate with phone sensors and it can be connected to a database. Even more interesting for this research project is, that algorithms can easily be implemented and integrated comprehensible by using the block-based language. This fact provides a suitable environment to integrate problem solving strategies without having code boundaries hindering students in unfolding their creative potential during the problem solving process
Classroom Research / Open Questions The goal of the research project is, to find out, how the problem solving process as described above works in practice with the MIT App Inventor for students solving tasks. Therefore, we will define research questions as Do students understand the problem? or How create students a solution? including soft-skill oriented research questions as Is it difficult for students to show persistence in working with problems? The research project will be accompanied with qualitative research methods as questionnaires, question prompts and teacher observation. In order to collect data of evidence, a mixed methods approach was chosen with different data sources where it is aimed to get a whole picture of the classroom intervention. A pre- and post questionnaire is aimed at identifying the student‘s ability to deal with computational thinking attitudes. In particular the post questionnaire will also include further questions based on outcomes of qualitative data collected during classroom action. In order to get insight of the students’ problem solving process, students’ worksheets will be analyzed for their solution process using question prompts [9].
1. D. Barr, J. Harrison, and L. Conery. Computational Thinking: A Digital Age Skill for Everyone. Learning & Leading with Technology, 38(6):20–23, nov 2010. 2. V. Barr and C. Stephenson. Bringing computational thinking to K-12. ACM Inroads, 2(1):48, feb 2011. 3. P. Curzon, M. Dorling, C. Selby, and J. Woollard. Developing computational thinking in the classroom: a framework. jun 2014. 4. S. Grover and R. Pea. Computational Thinking in K–12 A Review of the State of the Field. Educational Researcher, 42(1):38–43, 2013. 5. D. Kafura, A. C. Bart, and B. Chowdhury. Design and Preliminary Results From a Computational Thinking Course. In Proceedings of the 2015 ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education - ITiCSE ’15, pages 63–68, New York, New York, USA, jun 2015. ACM Press. 6. I. Lee, F. Martin, J. Denner, B. Coulter, W. Allan, J. Erickson, J. Malyn-Smith, and L. Werner. Computational thinking for youth in practice. ACM Inroads, 2(1):32, feb 2011. 7. C. Selby and J. Woollard. Refining an understanding of computational thinking, jun 2014. 8. C. C. Selby and J. Woollard. Computational thinking: the developing definition. pages 5–8, 2013. 9. J. Voogt, P. Fisser, J. Good, P. Mishra, and A. Yadav. Computational thinking in compulsory education: Towards an agenda for research and practice. Education and Information Technologies, 2015. 10. L. Wa ̈rmedal. Computational Thinking - A New Approach for Teaching Computer Science to College Freshmen, 2014. 11. J. M. Wing. Computational thinking. Communications of the ACM, 49(3):33, 2006. 12. J. M. Wing. Computational Thinking: What and Why? thelink - The Magaizne of the Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science, 2011. 13. D. D. W. Wolber, H. Abelson, E. Spertus, and L. Looney. App Inventor 2 : create your own Android apps.
Evaluation of Practice
Refinement Computational Thinking Problem Solving Process
Application in Classrooms
Design of App Inventor Problem Solving Tasks
Univ.Ass. Mag.rer.nat. Dr.techn. Bernhard Standl Vienna University of Technology Institute of Software Technology and Interactive Systems
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