Applying Computational Thinking

Module Objectives

In this activity you will:

  • Explore examples of computational thinking in elementary classrooms
  • Engage in computational thinking activities
  • Create computational thinking activities to use with your students

Activity #1: Computational Thinking in Action

Read: Encouraging Computational Thinking for Young Children and Families from a Distance (Kociubuk et al., 2020)

Encouraging Computational Thinking for Young Children and Families From a Distance

Read: Classroom Play and Activities to Support Computational Thinking Development (Lee et al., 2023)

Lee-et-al-2023

Link to Lee et al (2023)

Read Integrating Computational Thinking into Your Elementary Classroom (Smith, 2019)

Integrating Computational Thinking into Your Elementary Classroom

Read: Screen-Free Computational Thinking (Peterson, 2021)

https://www.edutopia.org/article/screen-free-computational-thinking/

Read: The Integration of Computational Thinking in Early Childhood and Elementary Education (Moore & Ottenbreit-Leftwich, 2020)

The-Integration-of-Computational-Thinking-in-Early-Childhood-and-Elementary-Education-2

Link to Moore & Ottenbreit-Leftwich (2020)

Read: How to Develop Computational Thinkers (Valenzuela, 2022)

https://www.iste.org/explore/computational-thinking

Read: The Ultimate Guide to Computational Thinking for Educators (Learning.com, 2019)

601f35cdbe24d5b3ffa38386_The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Computational-Thinking-for-Educators-copy

Link to Learning.com (2019)

Read: Computational Thinking — A Guide for Teachers (Csizmadia et al., 2015)

150818_Computational_Thinking_1_-2

Link to Csizmadia et al. (2015)

Read: How to Introduce DeBugging to Children (Juni, 2020)

https://junilearning.com/blog/guide/how-to-introduce-debugging-to-kids/

Optional Reading: A systematic review of integrating computational thinking in early childhood education (Su & Yang, 2023)

Su-Yang-2023

Link to Su & Yang (2023)

Optional Reading: Early Learning Strategies for Developing Computational Thinkers (Thorson, 2018)

https://www.iste.org/explore/computational-thinking

Optional Reading: Making the Connection — Computational Thinking and Early Learning for Young Children and Their Families (Campana et al. (2020)

MakingTheConnection_PLMag_JulAug2020-copy

Link to Campana et al. (2020)

Activity #2: Computational Thinking Learning Experience

Prepare your Computational Thinking Learning Experience. Review he Guidelines below to help you create the learning experience.

Creating-Sharing-Learning-Experience

Computational Thinking Learning Experience Guidelines

Optional: Chart for Creating Your Computational Thinking Learning Experience — this chart may help you to plan & develop your computational thinking learning experience(s)

Chart-for-Creating-Computational-Thinking-Learning-Activity

Link to Chart for Creating your Computational Thinking Learning Experience

Activity #3: End-of-Course Survey

Please complete the end of course survey. Your feedback and insights are important to me!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeS_CjdH1BhdkPoWaS2ZZzY6fRy5c1FTgmWoZs-LBbBIyiimw/viewform?usp=sf_link