Development and Validation of a Pattern Recognition Instrument for Undergraduate Students (Poster 37)

• In Event: Thursday Poster Session 9:00 am
  In Poster Session: Innovations in Measurement and Assessment in Higher Education

Abstract

The current education system faces the challenge of equipping undergraduate students with proficient computational thinking (CT) competencies, given the lack of tailored assessment resources. To fill this gap, this study develops and validates an instrument measuring pattern recognition (PR), a crucial CT component. The instrument underwent multiple reliability and validity testing, including exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, internal consistency and split-half reliability assessments, and concurrent validity evaluation. Additionally, findings reveal that students with and without prior programming experience show differences in their PR skills and the frequency of using CT skills, but not in their CT dispositions. This study provides valuable baseline data regarding undergraduate students’ PR skills, offering practical implications for improving CT education.

Authors

• Echo Zexuan Pan, Harvard University

• Maria Cutumisu, McGill University