Preparing Young Learners for a Globalized Society: The Integration of Computational Thinking in Elementary Classrooms

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 2
  In Poster Session: Curricular and Pedagogical Designs for STEM+C Learning (San Diego)

Abstract

Computational thinking (CT) is a fundamental skill for acquisition of numeracy and literacy that develops analytic thinking skills, builds interest in inquiry-based literacy tasks, and prepares students for innovative fields. Though currently underutilized in elementary classrooms, young children can engage in developmentally appropriate CT. Our purpose was to understand how K-5 mentor teachers (MTs) and pre-service teachers (PSTs) experienced the integration of CT in their K-5 classrooms after participating in multi-year professional development. Qualitative, ethnographic research procedures (Hatch, 2002) were applied, and initial results included PSTs and MTs: identified a lack of knowledge of CT, viewed CT as more in alignment with math than literacy, described discomfort with the productive struggle, and identified barriers in implementing CT in K-5 classrooms.

Authors

• Renee Moran, East Tennessee State University

• Lashay Jennings, East TennesseeState University