Observing Young Children's Behaviors While Coding as an Innovative Pedagogical Practice

• In Event: Innovative Teaching Practices

Abstract

ABSTRACT---STEM activities offer young children an opportunity to be immersed in behaviors supporting academic success. Teachers’ use of STEM activities offers students innovative ways to practice critical thinking and dispositions. This research identified 77 K-2 students' behaviors while they coded for 20 minutes in small groups over 16 days. Ninety-one percent of observed behaviors while students coded were positive words and actions expressing feelings such as confidence, optimism, persistence, coding results, motivation, and collaboration. An independent samples t-test revealed a statistically significant difference in the number of students' positive behaviors while they are engaged in coding. This research encourages teachers to embrace coding as an innovative pedagogical practice to reinforce behaviors young children need in the 21st-century.

Authors

• Peggy S. Lisenbee, Texas Woman's University

• Sudha Swaminathan, Eastern Connecticut State University