Unravelling the Computational Thinking and Spatial Thinking Development: An Exploration of a Virtual Robot Programming Environment.
Background: Robot programming can simultaneously cultivate learners' computational thinking (CT) and spatial thinking (ST). However, there is a noticeable gap in research focusing on the micro‐level development patterns of learners' CT and ST and their interconnections. Objectives: This study aims t...
| Published in: | Journal of Computer Assisted Learning Vol. 41; no. 2; pp. 1 - 17 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Published: |
Wiley-Blackwell
Apr2025
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=184016305&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 184016305 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 02664909 6M1 jtl: Journal of Computer Assisted Learning issn: 02664909 maglogo: Y pubinfo: dt: Apr2025 vid: 41 iid: 2 pid: 480 pub: Wiley-Blackwell place: Malden, Massachusetts artinfo: ui: 184016305 184016305 184016305 10.1111/jcal.70007 184016305 ppf: 1 ppct: 16 formats: tig: atl: Unravelling the Computational Thinking and Spatial Thinking Development: An Exploration of a Virtual Robot Programming Environment. aug: au: Gong, Xin Xu, Weiqi Qiao, Ailing Li, Zhixia affil: College of Education, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China sug: subj: Problem Solving Spatial Perception Robotics Learning Methods Computer-Assisted Instruction Human Funding Source China Male Female Adolescence Students, Middle School Task Performance and Analysis Cluster Analysis Kruskal-Wallis Test Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient Descriptive Statistics Questionnaires Adolescent: 13-18 years Male Female ab: Background: Robot programming can simultaneously cultivate learners' computational thinking (CT) and spatial thinking (ST). However, there is a noticeable gap in research focusing on the micro‐level development patterns of learners' CT and ST and their interconnections. Objectives: This study aims to uncover the intricate development patterns and interrelations between learners' CT and ST at a micro level within a robot programming environment. Methods: Thirty middle school students participated in the study and completed SOLO robot programming tasks. Process data on their online programming behaviour were collected through programming platform log data, screen recordings and synchronised think‐aloud audio, while result data were obtained through CT and ST standardised tests. The data were then analysed using cluster analysis, process mining techniques, Kruskal–Wallis, and Spearman analysis. Results and Conclusions: The results revealed three clusters of learner types (i.e., masters, debuggers and beginners). Masters skilfully employed both CT and ST, while debuggers effectively activated ST through feedback. Beginners, however, showed lower proficiency in both. Notably, their CT structures demonstrated bidirectional thinking, top‐down systematic programming and bottom‐up debugging methods. The intrinsic developmental structure of ST shifted from direction language to spatial behaviour. Furthermore, ST and CT were mutually enhanced and mental rotation in ST is positioned as a foundational skill for CT. Implications: These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of learners' intrinsic thinking processes and offer essential guidance for optimising programming education. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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