Exploring the Focus of Student Thinking During an Integrated Mathematics and Computer Science Activity

• In Event: Training, Knowledge, and Agency: A Focus on Computer Science and Teaching and Learning

Abstract

One strategy for incorporating computer science (CS) into elementary education is to integrate CS into mathematics. This strategy raises questions about the kinds of thinking and learning students will experience during activities. Will students’ focus be on mathematics, CS, or both? If both, how will students coordinate explorations of both? We examined third graders’ thinking as they worked on an integrated mathematics and CS task. Our analysis showed the focus of students’ thinking varied as they worked on the same task. Some focused mostly on one discipline, some attended to both sequentially, and others coordinated thinking about both disciplines simultaneously.

Authors

• Kathryn Rich, Michigan State University

• Aman Yadav, Michigan State University