Promoting computational thinking through programming in early childhood education : a mixed-methods study in Chinese kindergartens /

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Student Theses

2023

Zeng, Yue

Hong Kong : The Education University of Hong Kong

Thesis

Computational thinking (CT), a critical competency everyone should possess in the digital age, is attracting increasing attention from researchers and educators worldwide. Programming education, the most crucial way to foster CT, is being introduced into early childhood education (ECE) settings. However, early programming and CT education are still in their infancy, with many unresolved issues. The inconsistency in determining "what to teach" in early programming and CT curricula stands as a primary concern, alongside unexplored challenges in "how to teach, " including the pedagogical issues and selection of suitable programming tools for young children. To address these gaps, Study 1 conducted a systematic review to propose a CT curriculum framework for ECE that addresses "what to teach". This framework clarifies the content that should be included in the early CT curriculum, serving as a foundation for developing early childhood CT education. Study 2 and Study 3 focused on addressing the issue of "how to teach." Building on the CT curriculum framework for ECE, study 2 delved into a case study of an early childhood teacher to examine her content knowledge (CK) and pedagogical knowledge (PK) in early programming and CT education through the analysis of "what was taught" and "how CT was taught." By identifying knowledge gaps, misconceptions, and teaching challenges among teachers, this study offers insights for improving professional knowledge and teaching effectiveness in this burgeoning field. Additionally, Study 3 focused on another critical aspect of programming and CT education, i.e., programming tools. This study validated the positive impact of a particular kit in fostering CT skills among young children, offering valuable insights for educators in selecting appropriate programming tools. In conclusion, by proposing a CT curriculum framework for ECE, exploring the CK and PK of an ECT, and investigating the effectiveness of a hybrid kit, this thesis advances our understanding of "what to teach" and "how to teach" programming and CT in the early years

LG51.H46 Dr 2023eb Zengy

https://educoll.lib.eduhk.hk/records/s0NxcTsV