ERIC Number: EJ1224462
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Apr
Pages: 41
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1059-7069
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Available Date: N/A
Computational Thinking, Mathematics, and Science: Elementary Teachers' Perspectives on Integration
Rich, Kathryn M.; Yadav, Aman; Schwarz, Christina V.
Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, v27 n2 p165-205 Apr 2019
In order to create professional development experiences, curriculum materials, and policies that support elementary school teachers to embed computational thinking (CT) in their teaching, researchers and teacher educators must understand ways teachers see CT as connecting to their classroom practices. We interviewed 12 elementary school teachers, probing their understanding six components of CT (abstraction, algorithmic thinking, automation, debugging, decomposition, and generalization) and how those components relate to their math and science teaching. Results suggested that teachers saw stronger connections between CT and their mathematics instruction than between CT and their science instruction. We also found that teachers draw upon their existing knowledge of CT-related terminology to make connections to their math and science instruction that could be leveraged in professional development. Teachers were, however, concerned about bringing CT into teaching due to limited class time and the difficulties of addressing high level CT thinking in developmentally appropriate ways. We discuss these results and their implications future research and the design of curriculum and professional development.
Descriptors: Thinking Skills, Teaching Methods, Faculty Development, Elementary School Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Instruction, Classroom Techniques, Curriculum Design, Science Instruction, Knowledge Base for Teaching, Interdisciplinary Approach, Computer Science Education, Problem Solving, Urban Areas, School Districts
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. P.O. Box 719, Waynesville, NC 28786. Tel: 828-246-9558; Fax: 828-246-9557; e-mail: info@aace.org; Web site: http://www.aace.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A