Middle School Students’ Computational Problem-Solving Behaviors in a Game-Based Environment (Poster 42)

• In Event: Saturday Poster Session 1:15 pm
  In Poster Session: Advanced Technologies for Learning SIG Poster Session

Abstract

The study used a data fusion approach to investigate three middle school learners’ computational problem-solving behaviors in the Zoombinis computational thinking game, Pizza Pass. A Hidden Markov Model HMM was firstly used to uncover students’ different computational problem-solving phases and the likelihood of transitioning between these phases. Then, a qualitative thematic analysis of students’ gameplay videos was employed to synthesize computational problem-solving behaviors. Findings revealed that students’ computational problem-solving behaviors included three phases e.g., Trial-and-Error, Systematic Testing and transitions between them. This study contributes to our understanding of using varied data sources to study students’ computational problem-solving processes. It also has instructional implications, such as the need for additional scaffolding within game-based CT environments.

Authors

• Wei Yan, Northern Arizona Unviersity

• Tongxi Liu, Hong Kong Baptist University

• Lauren Weisberg, University of Texas - Arlington

• Andrea Ramirez-Salgado, University of Florida

• Maya Israel, University of Florida