Persistence and Achievement in Acquiring Computational Thinking Concepts: A Large-Scale Log-Based Analysis

Rotem Israel-Fishelson, Arnon Hershkovitz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Computational Thinking (CT) is believed to be a vital competency for today’s learners, and programs for acquiring and promoting CT have been integrated into curricula of many formal and non-formal learning environments worldwide. In this large-scale study (N=25,812), we explore the acquirement of CT concepts— Sequences, Loops, Data, Parallelism, Conditionals, Operators, and Events—by school children (grades 1-8) who used an online game-based learning environment (CodeMonkey). We do so by analyzing both achievement and persistence in the game. Examining the associations between these two variables, we demonstrate that acquiring CT concepts may not be treated as a unidimensional process. We use these associations to point out to CT concepts that are easier (Data) or more difficult (Events, Conditionals, and Loops) than others to acquire and to show how this learning environment can help in decreasing gaps between learners. We discuss the implications of these findings to various educational stakeholders.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of E-Learn
Subtitle of host publication World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2019
EditorsSaul Carliner
Place of PublicationSan Diego
PublisherAssociation for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
Pages1002-1012
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)9781939797452
StatePublished - 2019
EventE-Learn: World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education - New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Duration: 4 Nov 20197 Nov 2019

Conference

ConferenceE-Learn: World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew Orleans, Louisiana
Period4/11/197/11/19

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  • Best Paper Award

    Hershkovitz, A. (Recipient) & Israel Fishelson, R. (Recipient), Nov 2019

    Prize: Honorary award

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