Computational thinking in K–12 computer education: appropriate pedagogy

ABSTRACT

This study identified appropriate pedagogy for computational thinking in K–12 computer education. The Delphi technique was employed to collect different views, ideas and opinions derived a consensus from a panel of 12 international experts through a series of questionnaires. The experts have various experiences in computer science, computer education and computational thinking. After three rounds of survey, the expert panel identified a total of 13 appropriate teaching/learning strategies to develop computational thinking skills in K–12 computer education distributed among the nine skills of computational thinking: eight strategies derived from the 12 teaching and learning strategies in the first draft of the Delphi survey questionnaire and five strategies suggested and agreed by the panel. This study demonstrated the importance of finding an appropriate pedagogy for computational thinking with a focus on K–12 computer education.

KEYWORDS:

• Pedagogy
• computational thinking
• Delphi method
• computer education
• K–12

Acknowledgments

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for funding this work through Research Group No (RG-1439-064). The authors also would like to thank all participant experts of the Delphi study for their time, commitment and contributions in this project, including Dr Ahmad Faqehi, Dr Abdulaziz Alfayez, Prof. Gregory Chamblee, Dr John Woollard, Dr Kim C. Huett, Dr Laurie F. Ruberg, Ms Mashael Aljuwayid, Dr Muna Al-Razgan and Dr Stephen Downes.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University [RG-1439-064].

Notes on contributors

Hayat Alajlan

Hayat Alajlan is an Assistant Professor of Computer Education at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Her research focuses on computer science education, mobile learning, digital content and online learning. Her recent research has been on learning programming in K–12.

Reem Alebaikan

Reem Alebaikan is a Professor of Computer Education at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Her research focuses on blended learning, computer education and online learning. Her recent research has been on teaching and learning computer programming in K–12 and higher education.

Ahmad Almassaad

Ahmad Almassaad is a Professor of Computer Education at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His research focuses on teaching computer science, innovative teaching methods and blended learning.