Experimenting with computational thinking for knowledge transfer in engineering robotics.

Background: Despite its obvious relevance to computer science, computational thinking (CT) is transdisciplinary with the potential of impacting one's analytical ability. Although countless efforts have been invested across K‐12 education, there is a paucity of research at the postsecondary level abo...

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Publicado en:Journal of Computer Assisted Learning Vol. 40; no. 2; pp. 859 - 876
Autores principales: Chichekian, Tanya, Trudeau, Joel, Jawhar, Tawfiq, Corliss, Dylan
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell Apr2024
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Apr2024
      vid: 40
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      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
      place: Malden, Massachusetts
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        10.1111/jcal.12921
        176012483
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        atl: Experimenting with computational thinking for knowledge transfer in engineering robotics.
      aug:
        au:
          Chichekian, Tanya
          Trudeau, Joel
          Jawhar, Tawfiq
          Corliss, Dylan
        affil: Department of Pedagogy, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke Quebec,, Canada
      sug:
        subj:
          Engineering Education
          Robotics Education
          Education, Baccalaureate
          Computer-Assisted Instruction
          Students, Undergraduate Psychosocial Factors
          Student Attitudes Evaluation
          Skill Acquisition Evaluation
          Computer Simulation
          Learning Environment
          Online Education
          Task Performance and Analysis
          Teaching Methods
          Human
          Funding Source
          Students, College Psychosocial Factors
          Algorithms
          Problem Solving
          Male
          Female
          Adolescence
          Young Adult
          Data Analysis Software
          Descriptive Statistics
          Adolescent: 13-18 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: Despite its obvious relevance to computer science, computational thinking (CT) is transdisciplinary with the potential of impacting one's analytical ability. Although countless efforts have been invested across K‐12 education, there is a paucity of research at the postsecondary level about the extent to which CT can contribute to sustainable learning outcomes. Objectives: The current study examines how a series of Arduino‐based robotics learning activities capture the fuller essence of concepts related to CT. Methods: College students (n = 50) completed a series of six robotics learning activities. Think‐alouds, student reflections and performance scores were used to assess students' CT through a robotics challenge in virtual and physical learning environments. Results and Conclusions: Students verbalized CT concepts related to algorithmic thinking much more than abstraction, problem decomposition and testing and debugging. Students exposed to active learning performed better in a virtual robotics challenge compared to their peers in a traditional‐oriented classroom. Students' scores on the physical robotics challenge increased as a function of the number of references they made to CT concepts during the think‐alouds. It is possible to design pedagogical experiences that tap into various dimensions of CT at incremental levels of complexity through a series of Arduino‐based robotics activities. With the integration of an online simulation, students can visualize and transfer their CT skills between a virtual and physical learning environment, thus leading to more sustainable learning outcomes. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Computational thinking (CT) is the conceptual foundation for problem‐solving.CT shifted from unplugged to plugged activities.CT concepts can be fostered through educational robotics. What this paper adds: A multi‐dimensional approach to assessing CT.Applications of CT provide insights into skill transfer.An integrative theoretical approach to study the 'how' and the 'what' of CT. Implications for practice: Educational robotics activities can cater to a fuller range of CT skills.Virtual simulations with constructive feedback are beneficial for students in traditional settings.Mixed learning environments contribute to making links between lectures and labs.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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