TIPP&SEE: A Previewing and Navigating Strategy for Use/Modify Scratch Activities

• In Event: Teaching Practices to Support Computational Thinking and Computer Science

Abstract

With many school districts nationwide integrating Computer Science (CS) and Computational Thinking (CT) instruction at the K-8 level, it is crucial that CS instruction be effective for diverse learners. A popular pedagogical approach is Use->Modify->Create, which introduces a concept through more scaffolded, guided instruction before culminating in a more open-ended project for student engagement. Yet, little research has explored meta-cognitive strategies that increase learning during the Use->Modify step. This paper introduces TIPP&SEE, a learning strategy that further scaffolds student learning during this step. Results from a quasi-experimental study show statistically-significant outperformance for students using the TIPP&SEE strategy on all assessment questions of medium and hard difficulty, suggesting its potential as an effective CS learning strategy.

Authors

• Jean Salac, University of Chicago

• Diana Franklin, University of Chicago

• Cathy Newman Thomas, Texas State University