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Building computations thinking through teaching of computer programming: an evaluation of learning centers in China

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Building computations thinking through teaching of computer programming: an evaluation of learning centers in China

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Content R unni ng he a d: C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 1
B U I L D I N G C O M P U T A T I O N S T H I N K I N G T H R O U G H T E A C H I N G O F C O M P U T E R
P R O G R A M M I N G : A N E V A L U A T I O N O F L E A R N I N G C E N T E R S I N C H I N A
by
Y i ng Y a o
A D i s s e r t a t i on P r opos a l P r e s e nt e d t o t he
F A C U L T Y O F T H E U S C R O S S I E R S C H O O L O F E D U C A T I O N
U N I V E R S I T Y O F S O U T H E R N C A L I F O R N I A
I n P a r t i a l F ul f i l l m e nt of t he
R e qui r e m e nt s f or t he D e gr e e
D O C T O R O F E D U C A T I O N
A ug us t 2020
C o p y r i g h t 2 0 2 0 Y i n g Y a o
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 2
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
L i s t of T a bl e s 4
L i s t of F i gur e s 5
C ha pt e r O ne : I n t r oduc t i on 6
B a c kgr ound of t he P r obl e m 7
I m por t a nc e of A ddr e s s i ng t he P r obl e m 9
O r g a ni z a t i ona l C ont e xt a nd M i s s i on 10
O r g a ni z a t i ona l P e r f or m a nc e G oa l 1 1
D e s c r i pt i on of S t a ke hol de r G r oups 1 1
S t a ke hol de r G r oups ’ P e r f or m a nc e G oa l s 12
S t a ke hol de r G r oup f or t he S t udy 12
P ur pos e of t he P r oj e c t a nd Q ue s t i ons 13
C onc e pt ua l a nd M e t hodol og i c a l F r a m e w or k 13
D e f i ni t i ons 14
O r g a ni z a t i on of t he P r oj e c t 15
C ha pt e r T w o: L i t e r a t ur e R e vi e w 16
B ui l di ng C om put a t i ona l T hi nki ng I n K - 12 E duc a t i ona l S e t t i ng s 16
C om put a t i ona l T hi nki ng a s a 21
s t
C e nt ur y C om pe t e nc e 16
C T P ol i c i e s a nd I ni t i a t i ve s I ns i de a nd O ut s i de of K - 12 S c hool S e t t i ng s 18
F a c t or s I m pa c t i ng C om put a t i ona l T hi nki ng L e a r ni ng O ut c om e s 22
C om put e r P r og r a m m i ng a s a n I n s t r um e nt f or C om put a t i ona l T hi nki ng w i t h E a r l y
S c hool - A ge d C hi l dr e n 22
S t r e ngt h a nd L i m i t a t i ons of C om put e r P r og r a m m i ng a s a T o ol f or E a r l y S c hool
C hi l dr e n ’ s C om put a t i ona l T hi nki ng D e ve l opm e nt 23
T e a c he r s ’ K now l e dge , M ot i va t i on a nd O r g a ni z a t i ona l I n f l ue nc e s on P e r f or m a nc e 28
K now l e dge a nd S ki l l s I n f l ue nc e s 28
M ot i va t i on I n f l ue nc e s 30
O r g a ni z a t i ona l I n f l ue nc e s 32
C onc l us i on 35
C ha pt e r T hr e e : M e t hods 36
P a r t i c i pa t i ng S t a ke hol de r s 36
I n t e r vi e w a nd S a m pl i ng C r i t e r i on a nd R a t i ona l e 37
S ur ve y S a m pl i ng R e c r ui t m e nt S t r a t e gy a nd R a t i ona l e 37
I n t e r vi e w S a m pl i ng R e c r ui t m e nt S t r a t e gy a nd R a t i ona l e 38
D a t a C ol l e c t i on a nd I n s t r um e nt a t i on 39
S ur ve y 39
I n t e r vi e w s 40
D a t a A na l y s i s 40
V a l i di t y a nd R e l i a bi l i t y 41
C r e di bi l i t y a nd T r us t w or t hi ne s s 42
E t hi c s 43
L i m i t a t i ons a nd D e l i m i t a t i ons 44
C ha pt e r F our : R e s ul t s a nd F i ndi ng 46
P a r t i c i pa t i ng S t a ke hol de r s 46
S ur ve y P a r t i c i pa nt s 47
I n t e r vi e w P a r t i c i pa nt s 47
R e s ul t s a nd F i ndi ngs f or K now l e dge a nd S ki l l s I n f l ue nc e s 49
T e a c he r s H a ve A w a r e ne s s of I m por t a nt S ki l l S e t s t ha t R e l a t e t o C T 50
T e a c he r s S how B a s i c , N ot S y s t e m a t i c , U nde r s t a ndi ng of C T C onc e pt s 51
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 3
T e a c he r s L a c k I n - de pt h K now l e dge of C T P e da gogy 53
T e a c he r s D e m ons t r a t e E f f or t s t o R e f l e c t on T e a c hi ng 54
S um m a r y of K now l e dge a nd S ki l l s F i ndi ngs 56
R e s ul t s a nd F i ndi ngs f or M ot i va t i on I n f l ue nc e s 56
T e a c he r s B e l i e ve C T S ki l l s a r e V a l ua bl e 57
T e a c he r s B e l i e ve i n T he i r A bi l i t y t o P r e pa r e f or C T T e a c hi ng 60
T e a c he r s A r e W i l l i ng t o C ont i nuous l y U pda t e L e s s on P l a ns t o M e e t N e e ds 61
S um m a r y of M ot i va t i on F i ndi ngs 62
R e s ul t s a nd F i ndi ngs f or O r g a ni z a t i ona l I n f l ue nc e s 63
T he C om pa ny C ul t i va t e s a C ul t ur e of W i l l i ng ne s s f or I m pr ove m e nt 64
T he C om pa ny N e e ds t o P r ovi de C ur r i c ul um U pda t e s a nd A ddi t i ona l O ppor t uni t i e s f or
T r a i ni ng 65
L e a de r s hi p N e e ds t o B e T r us t e d i n T r a ns i t i on t o N e w M ode l s of L e a r ni ng 68
S um m a r y of O r g a ni z a t i ona l F i ndi ngs 70
S um m a r y of F i ndi ng s 71
C ha pt e r F i ve : R e c om m e nde d S ol ut i ons , I m pl e m e nt a t i on, a nd E va l ua t i on 73
R e c om m e nda t i ons a nd I m pl e m e nt a t i on P l a n 74
R e c om m e nde d S ol ut i on 1: A C om pr e he ns i ve R e c r ui t i ng P l a n 75
R e c om m e nde d S ol ut i on 2: A S y s t e m a t i c T r a i ni ng P r og r a m f or A l l T e a c he r s T hr ough
O nl i ne P l a t f or m w i t h a C ohe s i ve T e a c hi ng E va l ua t i on P l a n 78
R e c om m e nde d S ol ut i on 3: A n U pda t e d C ur r i c ul um T ha t I n t e gr a t e s C om put a t i ona l
T hi nki ng 81
R e s our c e R e qui r e m e nt s 83
L e a de r s hi p R e a di ne s s 83
H um a n C a pi t a l R e s our c e s 84
F i na nc i a l R e s our c e s 84
T e c hnol og i c a l R e s our c e s 85
E va l ua t i on P l a n 85
L e ve l O ne : R e a c t i on 85
L e ve l T w o: L e a r ni ng 87
L e ve l T hr e e : B e ha vi or 88
L e ve l F our : I m pa c t 90
F ut ur e R e s e a r c h 92
C onc l us i on 93
R e f e r e nc e s 94
A ppe ndi x A : I n t e r vi e w P r ot oc ol 108
A ppe ndi x B : S ur ve y P r ot oc ol 1 1 1
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 4
L I S T O F T A B L E S
T a bl e 1. O r g a ni z a t i ona l M i s s i on, P e r f or m a nc e G oa l , a nd S t a ke hol de r G r oups ....................... 12
T a bl e 2. A s s um e d K now l e dge I n f l ue nc e s ................................................................................ 30
T a bl e 3. A s s um e d M ot i va t i on I nf l ue nc e s ................................................................................. 32
T a bl e 4. A s s um e d O r g a ni z a t i ona l I nf l ue nc e ............................................................................. 35
T a bl e 5. D e s c r i pt i ve S t a t i s t i c s of S ur ve y P a r t i c i pa nt s ( N = 61) ............................................... 47
T a bl e 6. D e s c r i pt i ve S t a t i s t i c s of I n t e r vi e w P a r t i c i pa nt s ( N = 8) ............................................. 48
T a bl e 7. A s s um e d K now l e dge I n f l ue nc e s , T he m e s G e ne r a t e d T hr oug h D a t a , a nd
V a l i da t i on .................................................................................................................................. 50
T a bl e 8 . E i g ht C onc e pt s of C om put a t i ona l T hi nki ng f r om L i t e r a t ur e .................................... 52
T a bl e 9. A s s um e d M ot i va t i on I nf l ue nc e s , T he m e s g e ne r a t e d t hr ough da t a , a nd va l i da t i on .... 57
T a bl e 10. A s s um e d O r g a ni z a t i ona l I nf l ue nc e ........................................................................... 63
T a bl e 1 1 . S um m a r y of E m e r g i ng T he m e s . ............................................................................... 73
T a bl e 12. R e c om m e nde d S ol ut i on 1: S t e ps , R e s pons i bl e S t a f f , a nd T i m e F r a m e f or
I m pl e m e nt a t i on ......................................................................................................................... 78
T a bl e 13. R e c om m e nde d S ol ut i on 2: S t e ps , R e s pons i bl e S t a f f , a nd T i m e F r a m e f or
I m pl e m e nt a t i on ......................................................................................................................... 81
T a bl e 14. R e c om m e nde d S ol ut i on 3: S t e ps , R e s pons i bl e S t a f f , a nd T i m e F r a m e f or
I m pl e m e nt a t i on ......................................................................................................................... 83
T a bl e 15. L e ve l O ne : A s s e s s i ng r e a c t i on .................................................................................. 86
T a bl e 16. L e ve l T w o: A s s e s s i ng l e a r ni ng a nd c om m i t m e nt ................................................... 88
T a bl e 17. L e ve l T hr e e : A s s e s s i ng be ha vi or c ha nge a nd a ppl i c a t i on of l e a r ni ng .................... 89
T a bl e 18. L e ve l F our : A s s e s s i ng i m pa c t ................................................................................... 91
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 5
L I S T O F F I G U R E S
F i gur e 1. I r e ga r d c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng a s a ne c e s s a r y 21s t c e nt ur y s ki l l . ................................ 58
F i gur e 2. M y c om pa ny / s c hool s houl d put e m pha s i s on de ve l opi ng c odi ng c our s e s f oc us e d on
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . ................................................................................................................. 58
F i gur e 3. I a m w i l l i ng t o s uppor t m y c om pa ny t o de ve l op i t s c our s e s i nt o na t i ona l m ode l
c our s e s by i nc l udi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s . ...................................................................... 64
F i gur e 4. S houl d t he c om pa ny / s c hool pr ovi de t r a i ni ng oppor t uni t i e s , I w oul d be g l a d t o
pa r t i c i pa t e . ...................................................................................................................................... 68
F i gur e 5. M y c om pa ny / s c hool e nc our a ge s m e t o t e a c h ne w s ki l l s t o s t ude nt s . ............................. 69
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 6
C H A P T E R O N E : I N T R O D U C T I O N
C om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng ( C T ) , a s a c r i t i c a l c om pl e x pr obl e m - s ol vi ng s ki l l , i s
r e c ogni z e d a s a 21
s t
c e nt ur y c om pe t e nc y t ha t a l l s t ude nt s s houl d de ve l op ( B a r r , H a r r i s on, &
C one r y , 2011; W i ng , 2006) . C om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i s a t houg ht pr oc e s s i nde pe nde nt of
t e c hnol ogy t ha t ut i l i z e s t he e l e m e nt s of a bs t r a c t i on, de c om pos i t i on, g e ne r a l i z a t i on,
a l gor i t hm i c t hi nki ng , a nd de buggi ng ( de t e c t i on a nd c or r e c t i on of e r r or s ) , pa r a l l e l i z a t i on, a nd
s i m ul a t i on ( B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016; G r ove r & P e a , 2013; S e l by , 2014) . I t i s a l s o a s pe c i f i c t y p e
of pr obl e m s ol vi ng ut i l i z e d e i t he r by a c om put e r , hum a n, or a c om bi na t i on of bot h ( B a r r &
S t e phe ns on, 2011; B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016; S e l by , 2014) . A s a pr i or i t y f or K - 12 s t ude nt s i n t hi s
di g i t a l e r a , c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng i s a ke y w a y t o c ul t i va t e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng ( K a f a i &
B ur ke , 2013; L ye & K oh, 2014; R e s ni c k e t a l ., 2009) a nd a f a vor e d a ppr oa c h t o a dopt f or
t e a c hi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng ( S e l by , 2012, 2014) .
I n 2017, C hi na i s s ue d a pol i c y r e l a t e d t o A r t i f i c i a l I n t e l l i g e nc e de ve l opm e nt a nd
pl a nni ng , de c l a r i ng a g r a dua l pr om ot i on of pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e s i n K - 12 s c hool s ( S t a t e
C ounc i l of P e opl e s ’ R e publ i c of C hi na , 2017) . F ol l ow i ng t he pol i c y of t he c e nt r a l
g ove r nm e nt , g ove r ni ng bodi e s a t di f f e r e nt l e ve l s i s s ue d pol i c i e s a nd c a r r i e d out
i m pl e m e nt a t i ons t o pr om ot e pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on i n t he K - 12 s y s t e m . J i a ng s u pr ovi nc e ,
f or e x a m pl e , i nc l ude d pr og r a m m i ng a nd I T l i t e r a c y a s a n i ndi vi dua l t e s t i n t he c ol l e g e
e nt r a nc e e x a m ( Z he j i a ng E duc a t i on E x a m i na t i on A ut hor i t y , 2017) ; S ha ng dong pr ovi nc e
i nc l ude d l e a r ni ng c ont e nt of P y t hon, a f or m of pr ogr a m m i ng l a ngua ge , i n t he pr i m a r y s c hool
c ur r i c ul um ( X i n, 2018) . A pa r t f r om t he pol i c i e s f r om t he g ove r nm e nt i n C hi na , e duc a t i ona l
pr ogr a m m i ng i ni t i a t i ve s a r e e s pe c i a l l y a c t i ve out s i de of t he t r a di t i ona l s c hool da y , i n
a f t e r - s c hool t r a i ni ng c e nt e r s a nd onl i ne e duc a t i ona l pr og r a m s ( A ngo B us i ne s s R e por t , 2018) .
W i t h i nc r e a s i ng a t t e nt i on be i ng pl a c e d on e a r l y pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on, i t i s
i m por t a nt t o e va l ua t e t he qua l i t y of t e a c hi ng a nd l e a r ni ng out c om e s of pr ogr a m m i ng,
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 7
e s pe c i a l l y i n r e l a t i on t o c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng w i t h f oc us on e a r l y s c hool - a ge c hi l dr e n. T hi s
di s s e r t a t i on a ddr e s s e s t he pr obl e m of pr a c t i c e of t he c ur r e nt l a c k of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
be i ng t a ught a nd c ul t i va t e d t hr ough pr og r a m m i ng e duc a t i on, w i t h pr ogr a m m i ng a c om m on
a p pr oa c h a nd a n i m po r t a n t w a y t o i nt e gr a t e c o m pu t a t i on a l t hi nk i ng ( L ye & K oh , 2014 ; S e l by,
2012, 2014) . I n pa r t i c ul a r , t hi s s t udy a t t e m pt s t o unde r s t a nd t he c i r c um s t a nc e s a nd f a c t or s
i m pa c t i ng t he l e a r ni ng of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng t o i de nt i f y w a y s t o a dva nc e t he t e a c hi ng
a nd de ve l opm e nt of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng f or our s t ude nt s .
B ac k gr ou n d of t h e P r ob l e m
P r og r a m m i ng e duc a t i on w a s i nt r oduc e d i nt o pr i m a r y s c hool s a s e a r l y a s t he 1980s
t hr ough pr ogr a m m i ng s of t w a r e l i ke L a ngua ge of G r a phi c s O r i e nt e d ( L O G O ) ( P opa t &
S t a r ke y , 2019) . I n t he pa s t de c a de , t he r e ha s be e n a r e ne w e d g l oba l i nt e r e s t i n t e a c hi ng a nd
l e a r ni ng pr ogr a m m i ng i n K - 12 s y s t e m s ( A l bi on, 2016; B a l a ns ka t & E ngl e ha r t , 2014; P opa t &
S t a r ke y , 2019) a nd pr om ot i on of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s t hr oug h pr ogr a m m i ng
( B a l a ns ka t & E ngl e ha r t , 2014) . I n C hi na , t he r e i s no of f i c i a l r e gi s t r a t i on of t he num be r of
K - 12 s c hool s c a r r y i ng out pr ogr a m m i ng c ur r i c ul um s , y e t a c c or di ng t o a n i nt e r na l bus i ne s s
r e por t by A ng o c om pa ny i n 2018, t he r e a r e m or e t ha n 30 c om pa ni e s e s t a bl i s he d i n C hi na
pr ovi di ng pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on t o pr i m a r y s c hool s t ude nt s i n a f t e r - s c hool s e t t i ng s ( A ngo
B us i ne s s R e por t , 2018) . A s pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e s e x pa nd i ns i de a nd out s i de of s c hool s
g l oba l l y , t he r e r e m a i ns t he que s t i on of how c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s a r e bui l t t hr ough
pr ogr a m m i ng ( B a r r & S t e phe ns on, 2011) .
T he c onc e pt of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng w a s f i r s t i nt r oduc e d by J e a ne t t e W i ng i n 2006
( W i ng , 2006) . A c c or di ng t o he r , “ C om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nvol ve s s ol vi ng pr obl e m s ,
de s i gni ng s y s t e m s , a nd unde r s t a ndi ng hum a n be ha vi or , by dr a w i ng on t he c onc e pt s
f unda m e nt a l t o c om put e r s c i e nc e ” ( W i ng , 2006. p. 33) , A l t houg h t he r e i s a l a c k of c ons e ns us
on t he de f i ni t i on of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng ( G r ove r & P e a , 2013) , t w o pe r s pe c t i ve s a r e
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 8
va l ua bl e f or r e f e r e nc e : ( i ) c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i s a n i nde pe nde nt t houg ht pr oc e s s a pa r t
f r om t e c hnol ogy t ha t l e ve r a ge s t he e l e m e nt s of a bs t r a c t i on, g e ne r a l i z a t i on, de c om pos i t i on,
a l gor i t hm i c t hi nki ng , de buggi ng ( de t e c t i on a nd c or r e c t i on of e r r or s ) , pa r a l l e l i z a t i on, a nd
s i m ul a t i on ( G r ove r & P e a , 2013; S e l by , 2014; B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016) ; a nd ( i i ) c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng i s a “ s pe c i f i c t y p e of pr obl e m s ol vi ng t ha t e nt a i l s di s t i nc t a bi l i t i e s , e .g . be i ng a bl e t o
de s i gn s ol ut i ons t ha t c a n be e x e c ut e d by a c om put e r , hum a n, or a c om bi na t i on of bot h ”
( B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016, p.15) .
M a ny e duc a t or s be l i e ve t ha t a s s i m i l a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng a t a y o ung a ge w i l l
a s s i s t our y o ut h t o e nha nc e pr obl e m - s ol vi ng s ki l l s , i m pr ove l og i c a l r e a s oni ng a nd a dva nc e
a na l y t i c a l a bi l i t y - ke y a t t r i but e s t o s uc c e e d i n t he t w e nt y - f i r s t c e nt ur y ( R i l e y & H unt , 2014) .
A t a m a c r o l e ve l , f os t e r i ng c om put a t i ona l s ki l l s unde r pi ns m a ny g ove r nm e nt s ’ i nt e nt i ons t o
boos t e c onom i c g r ow t h, f i l l j ob va c a nc i e s a nd pr e pa r e y o ung pe opl e f or f ut ur e e m pl oy m e nt
( P opa t & S t a r ke y , 2019; B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016) . A c c or di ng t o t he E ur ope a n C om m i s s i on, t he
N e w S ki l l s A g e nda f or E ur ope w a s a dopt e d w i t h a f oc us on t he ne e d t o de ve l op di g i t a l s ki l l s
f or t he pur pos e of e m pl oy a b i l i t y ( E ur ope a n C om m i s s i on, 2016) .
Y e t , br i ngi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o t he K - 12 r e a l m i s r i f e w i t h c ha l l e nge s ,
w hi c h i nc l ude t he f e a s i bi l i t y a nd va l i di t y of t he t ool s be i ng us e d i n s uc h pr ogr a m s ; t he
a va i l a bi l i t y of a s s e s s m e nt t ool s ; a s w e l l a s t e a c he r t r a i ni ng f or t e a c hi ng c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng ( B e a n, W e e s e , F e l dha us e n, & B e l l , 2015; B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016) . B e i ng c ons c i ous of
t he s e c ha l l e nge s , c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i s a c om pe t e nc e t ha t c a n be t a ug ht t hr ough
c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng, unpl ug ge d a c t i vi t i e s a nd a c r os s m a ny di s c i pl i ne s . U npl ug ge d s t y l e
of t e a c hi ng r e f e r s t o t he us e of a c t i vi t i e s t o t e a c h c om put e r s c i e nc e c onc e pt s w i t hout t he us e
of c om put e r s e m pha s i z i ng ki na e s t he t i c a c t i vi t y ( C ur z on, M c O w e n, C ut t s , & B e l l , 2009;
S e nt e nc e & C s i z m a di a , 2017) . I t i s a ppa r e nt t ha t pr ogr a m m i ng a nd unpl ug ge d a c t i vi t i e s a r e
bot h g ood r e s our c e s f or i nt r oduc i ng s t ude nt s i nt o C T , w hi l e e a c h ha s l i m i t a t i ons . A s
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 9
ove r - r e l i a nc e on e i t he r t o t r a ns f e r C T m a y be i ne f f e c t i ve , a ppr oa c he s c a n be m e r ge d t o a l l ow
t he m a x i m um e f f e c t of e a c h, f a c i l i t a t i ng m i g r a t i on f r om unpl ug ge d t o pl ug ge d a c t i vi t i e s f or
s t ude nt s , e s pe c i a l l y w i t h y o unge r a ge ( B r a c km a nn e t a l ., 2017) . W i t h t he i nc r e a s i ng g l oba l
i nt e r e s t i n i nc l udi ng pr og r a m m i ng i n K - 12 c ur r i c ul a a nd t he g r ow t h i n r e l a t e d a f t e r - s c hool
pr ogr a m s , i t i s i m por t a nt t o unde r s t a nd how t o e m be d c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o t he
t e a c hi ng a nd l e a r ni ng of pr ogr a m m i ng. C ha l l e nge s i n a r e a s of a s s e s s m e nt a nd t e a c he r
pr e pa r a t i on c a l l f or m or e f oc us on a s s e s s m e nt a nd t e a c hi ng di m e ns i ons ( D ol e c k, B a z e l a i s ,
L e m a y , S a xe na , & B a s ne t , 2017; K a l e l i ogl u e t a l ., 2016; L ye , & K oh, 2014; G r ove r & P e a ,
2013; M ue l l e r , B e c ke t t , H e nne s s e y , & S hodi e v, 2017; S e nt e nc e & C s i z m a di a , 2017) .
R e s e a r c h i n t hi s a r e a w i l l a s s i s t s c hool s i n e nha nc i ng s t ude nt s ’ pr obl e m - s ol vi ng s ki l l s , l og i c a l
r e a s oni ng , a nd a na l y t i c a bi l i t y - ke y a t t r i but e s a s w e l ook t o t he f ut ur e .
I m p or t an c e of A d d r e s s i n g t h e P r ob l e m
I n r e s e a r c h l i t e r a t ur e , a n of t e n- c i t e d r a t i ona l e t o i nt e g r a t e c om put i ng i n K - 12
i ns t r uc t i on i s t he i nc r e a s i ng de m a nd f or w or ke r s w i t h c om put e r s c i e nc e s ki l l s ( W i l s on &
M of f a t , 2010) . G l oba l l y , t he r e i s a g a p i n s uf f i c i e nt num be r s of qua l i f i e d e m pl oy e e s i n
i ndus t r y a nd di g i t a l s e r vi c e s ( K hi ne , 2018) . T he U .S . B ur e a u of L a bor S t a t i s t i c s ( 2012) l i s t e d
c om put e r s c i e nc e - r e l a t e d j obs a m ong one of t he f a s t e s t g r ow i ng oc c upa t i ona l g r oups i n t he
c ount r y w i t h a 22 pe r c e nt g r ow t h f r om 2010 t o 2020 ( B ur e a u of L a bor S t a t i s t i c s , 2012) . I n
E ur ope a s w e l l , unde r g r a dua t e e nr ol l m e nt s a r e not m e e t i ng t he pr oj e c t e d I T j ob g r ow t h, w i t h
t he num be r of c om put e r s c i e nc e g r a dua t e s ha vi ng f a l l e n s t e a di l y i n E ur ope s i nc e 2006
( G a r e i s e t a l ., 2014) . I n C hi na , t he de m a nd f or s t ude nt s e qui ppe d w i t h c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
s ki l l s i s a l s o s ur pa s s i ng t he s uppl y of s t ude nt s w i t h ne e de d s ki l l s , w i t h g a ps ne e di ng t o be
f i l l e d. T he 2018 A nnua l R e por t by M i ni s t r y of I n dus t r y a nd I n f or m a t i on T e c hnol og y of t he
P R C s how s t ha t t he num be r of pe opl e e m pl oy e d i n t he I T i ndus t r y ha s r e a c he d 6.43 m i l l i on
w i t h a n a nnu a l i nc r e a s e f r o m 2017 of 4.2% ( M i ni s t r y of I n dus t r y a nd I n f or m a t i on T e c hno l ogy ,
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 10
2018) . A s s uc h, m a ny e duc a t or s a nd pol i t i c i a ns r e ga r d c om put i ng a nd pr ogr a m m i ng s ki l l s a s
ne c e s s a r y t o m e e t w or kf or c e ne e ds a nd t o he l p dr i ve t he i nnova t i on of t he e c onom y ( B oc c oni
e t a l ., 2016; C uny , 2012; K hi ne , 2018) . I n a ddi t i on t o be i ng vi e w e d a s a n e nd i n i t s e l f ,
pr ogr a m m i ng us e d a s a m e di um c a n he l p s t ude nt s a t a y o ung a ge t o l e a r n c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l a s w e l l a s ot he r 21
s t
c e nt ur y s ki l l s ne e de d f or t he f ut ur e ( R e s ni c k, 2013) .
T o pr e pa r e t he ne x t g e ne r a t i on w i t h s uc h pr of e s s i ona l s ki l l s m e a ns t ha t C T s ki l l s ne e d
t o be e m be dde d i n our s y s t e m s of s c hool i ng . W hi l e i n t he pa s t s uc h a ddr e s s m e nt ha s be e n
m a de m os t l y a r ound unde r g r a dua t e s t udi e s a t c ol l e ge l e ve l s ( S e t t l e e t a l ., 2012) , t he num be r
of c ol l e ge g r a dua t e s w i t hi n s oc i e t y i s s t i l l r e l a t i ve l y s m a l l . T hi s c a l l s f or i nt e g r a t i on of C T i n
K - 12 e duc a t i on s y s t e m s t o r e a c h g r e a t e r i m pa c t ( S e t t l e e t a l ., 2012) . I f c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng i s w e l l i m pl e m e nt e d a t t he K - 12 l e ve l , i t c oul d pr ovi de s t ude nt s w i t h ne e de d s ki l l s
a nd a t t r i but e s f or t he i r f ut ur e a nd s oc i e t i e s w i t h a qua l i f i e d f ut ur e w or kf or c e .
O r gan i z at i on al C on t e xt an d M i s s i on
A ngo C odi ng i s a pr i va t e C hi ne s e c om pa ny e s t a bl i s he d i n 2015 w i t h he a dqua r t e r s i n
S ha ng ha i , a nd 42 l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s a c r os s C hi na . I t pr ovi de s S T E M ( S c i e nc e , T e c hnol ogy ,
E ngi ne e r i ng, M e c ha ni c s ) a nd pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on t o s t ude nt s f r om 5- 12 y e a r s ol d i n
C hi na s ol e l y t hr ough a f t e r - s c hool t r a i ni ng pr ogr a m s . T he m i s s i on of A ngo C odi ng i s t o
c ul t i va t e c om pe t e nc i e s ne e de d i n t he f ut ur e f or t he ne x t g e ne r a t i on t hr ough e a r l y S T E M a nd
pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on ( A ngo B us i ne s s R e por t , 2018) . A c c or di ng t o i t s bus i ne s s r e por t ,
e nr ol l m e nt i n i t s pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e ha s be e n g r ow i ng r a pi dl y ove r t he pa s t t hr e e y e a r s .
C ur r e nt l y , t he r e a r e ove r 5000 s t ude nt s f r om a ge 5- 12 w ho a r e l e a r ni ng c om put e r
pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e s a t A ngo C odi ng l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s w i t h a n a nnua l i nc r e a s e of 12% . T he
pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e i s t a ug ht i n S c r a t c h, a popul a r c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng t ool s f or y o ung
l e a r ne r s . A r ound 500 t e a c he r s w or k a t di f f e r e nt l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s or br a nc he s t hr oug hout
C hi na w i t h 3/ 4 of t he m w or ki ng f ul l - t i m e a nd 1/ 4 pa r t t i m e . T he t e a c hi ng t e a m r e c e i ve s
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 1 1
pr e - s e r vi c e t r a i ni ng be f or e t he y t e a c h t he c our s e a nd r e gul a r i n- s e r vi c e t r a i ni ng r e ga r di ng
l e s s on pl a ns a nd c l a s s r oom a c t i vi t i e s r e l a t e d t o pr og r a m m i ng. T o da t e , l i t t l e e va l ua t i on ha s
be e n done t o unde r s t a nd t he s t ude nt s ’ c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s de ve l opm e nt t hr oug h t hi s
c our s e .
O r gan i z at i on al P e r f or m an c e G oal
T he or g a ni z a t i ona l pe r f or m a nc e g oa l i s by D e c e m be r 2022, A ngo C odi ng w i l l
e s t a bl i s h a na t i ona l l y r e c ogni z e d c ur r i c ul um m ode l f or pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on f or s t ude nt s
a ge d 5 t o 12 by i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n a l l pr og r a m m i ng c our s e
c ur r i c ul um . T hi s g oa l w i l l i nvol ve i nve s t m e nt s i n de ve l opi ng s t a nda r ds a nd c ont e nt of t he
c ur r i c ul um , pi l ot i ng a nd a dopt i ng t he c ur r i c ul um , upda t i ng t e a c hi ng pe da gogy a nd t e a c hi ng
a c t i vi t i e s , a s w e l l a s a s s e s s i ng t he l e a r ni ng out c om e s of t he s t ude nt s . S y s t e m a t i c a s s e s s m e nt s
i nvol vi ng qua l i t a t i ve s t udy w i l l be c a r r i e d out t o e va l ua t e t he a c hi e ve m e nt of t he g oa l be f or e
( t o e s t a bl i s h a ba s e l i ne ) , dur i ng, a nd a f t e r t he i m pl e m e nt a t i on of t he ne w c ur r i c ul um .
D e s c r i p t i on of S t ak e h ol d e r G r ou p s
T hi s r e s e a r c h i de nt i f i e s t hr e e m a j or s t a ke hol de r g r oups w i t hi n t he c om pa ny w ho w i l l be
c r i t i c a l i n he l pi ng r e a c h t he or g a ni z a t i ona l pe r f or m a nc e g oa l , w hi c h a r e t he r e s e a r c h t e a m , t he
t e a c hi ng t e a m , a nd t he s t ude nt s f r om t he pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e s . T he r e s e a r c h t e a m , a t t he
t i m e of t he s t udy c om pos e d of 20 pe opl e , i s r e s pons i bl e f or de s i g ni ng t he c ur r i c ul um f or
A ngo ’ s pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e s , a nd c ons i s t s of c ons ul t a nt s a nd i ndus t r i a l e xpe r t s f r om out s i de
t he c om pa ny a s w e l l a s f ul l - t i m e t e a c he r s f r om A ng o C odi ng . T he i r l e ve l of know l e dge a nd
e x pe r t i s e w i l l c ont r i but e di r e c t l y t o t he c ur r i c ul um i n t e r m s of how w e l l c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng i s i nc or por a t e d. T he s e c ond s t a ke hol de r g r oup i s c om pos e d of A ngo t e a c he r s w i t h
c om put i ng or I T r e l a t e d ba c kgr ounds a nd a r a nge of t e a c hi ng e x pe r i e nc e . A t t he t i m e of t he
s t udy , t he r e w e r e 500 c om put e r pr og r a m m i ng t e a c he r s e m pl oy e d by A ngo C odi ng a c r os s 42
c e nt e r s w i t h a qua r t e r of t he m be i ng pa r t - t i m e t e a c he r s . T he t e a c he r s ’ a dopt i on a nd a da pt a t i on
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 12
of t he c ur r i c ul um t o i nc or por a t e hi g he r l e ve l t hi nki ng s ki l l s w i l l he a vi l y i nf l ue nc e t he
s t ude nt s ’ pr ogr a m m i ng s ki l l s , a nd c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n pa r t i c ul a r . T he r e f or e ,
t e a c he r s a r e hi g hl y i nf l ue nt i a l t o t he c om pa ny ’ s g oa l . S t ude nt s a r e t he t hi r d s t a ke hol de r g r oup
w ho r a nge i n a ge f r om t hr e e t o s i xt e e n y e a r s ol d. T he i r de m ons t r a t i on of t he c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s w oul d be a c l e a r m a ni f e s t a t i on of t he a c hi e ve m e nt s of t he c om pa ny ’ s g oa l .
S t ak e h ol d e r G r ou p s ’ P e r f or m an c e G oal s
T a bl e 1
O r g ani z at i onal M i s s i on, P e r f or m anc e G oal and St ak e hol de r G r o ups
O r gan i z at i on al M i s s i on
T he m i s s i on of A ng o C odi ng i s t o pr e pa r e t he ne x t - g e ne r a t i on of s t ude nt s f or t he f ut ur e .
O r gan i z at i on al P e r f or m an c e G oal
B y D e c e m be r 2022, A ngo C odi ng w i l l e s t a bl i s h a na t i ona l l y r e c ogni z e d m ode l f or
pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on f or s t ude nt s a ge d 5 t o 12 by i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
s ki l l s i n a l l pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e c ur r i c ul um s .
R e s e ar c h T e am
B y D e c e m be r 2020, t he
r e s e a r c h t e a m w i l l de ve l op
a n upda t e d c ur r i c ul um t ha t
i nc or por a t e s c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s .
T e ac h e r s
B y J a nua r y 2021, t e a c he r s
w i l l i m pl e m e nt ne w
c ur r i c ul um m odul e s i n t he i r
l e s s on pl a ns t ha t e m pha s i z e
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
s ki l l s .
S t u d e n t s
B y S e pt e m be r 2021, a l l
s t ude nt s w i l l de m ons t r a t e t he
e x pe c t e d l e ve l of c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n t he i r
e nd- of - pr ogr a m a c a de m i c
a s s e s s m e nt .
S t ak e h ol d e r G r ou p f or t h e S t u d y
W hi l e a l l s t a ke hol de r s a r e i m por t a nt t o a c hi e ve m e nt of t he or g a ni z a t i ona l
pe r f or m a nc e g oa l , t hi s s t udy f oc us e s on t he t e a c he r s w ho w i l l pl a y a ke y r ol e i n
i m pl e m e nt i ng t he c ur r i c ul um bot h f or t e a c hi ng a nd e va l ua t i on pur pos e s . A i m i ng t o pr e pa r e
s t ude nt s w i t h c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s , t he g oa l f or t he t e a c he r s i s t ha t by D e c e m be r
2020, t he t e a c he r t e a m w i l l i m pl e m e nt ne w c ur r i c ul um m odul e s i n t he i r l e s s on pl a ns w i t h
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 13
e m pha s i s on c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s . T hi s e va l ua t i on w i l l e x a m i ne t he e x t e nt t o w hi c h
t e a c he r s c ur r e nt l y i nc or por a t e hi g he r l e ve l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i nt o t he i r t e a c hi ng of t he c ur r i c ul um
a nd t he i r ne e ds t o do s o f ur t he r . C ur r e nt l y , no or g a ni z a t i ona l f oc us ha s be e n pl a c e d on
t e a c hi ng or e va l ua t i ng s t ude nt s ’ c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s t hr oug h t e a c hi ng m a t e r i a l s or
g ui de d a c t i vi t i e s s o t he r e i s a n unknow n g a p be t w e e n t he c ur r e nt s t a t us quo a nd t he
or g a ni z a t i ona l pe r f or m a nc e g oa l .
P u r p os e of t h e P r oj e c t an d Q u e s t i on s
T he pur pos e of t hi s pr oj e c t i s t o e va l ua t e t he de gr e e t o w hi c h A ngo C odi ng i s c ur r e nt l y
i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i nt o i t s pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on f or s t ude nt s a t
e a r l y s t a g e s a nd t he c ont i nui ng ne e ds t o be c om e a na t i ona l l y r e c ogni z e d m ode l f or
pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on f or s t ude nt s a ge d 5 t o 12 by i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
s ki l l s i n a l l pr ogr a m m i ng c ur r i c ul um . T he a na l y s i s w i l l f oc us on know l e dg e , m ot i va t i on a nd
or g a ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s r e l a t e d t o a c hi e vi ng t he or g a ni z a t i ona l g oa l . W hi l e a c om pl e t e
pe r f or m a nc e e va l ua t i on w oul d f oc us on a l l s t a ke hol de r s , f or pr a c t i c a l pur pos e s , t he
s t a ke hol de r t o be f oc us e d on i n t hi s a na l y s i s i s t he t e a c he r s i n t he pr og r a m m i ng c our s e s . A s
s uc h, t he que s t i ons t ha t g ui de t hi s s t udy a r e t he f ol l ow i ng :
1. W ha t i s t he t e a c he r s ’ know l e dge a nd m ot i va t i on r e l a t e d t o a c hi e vi ng t he g oa l of
i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n a l l pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e c ur r i c ul um a nd
be c om i ng a m ode l f or e a r l y a ge pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on?
2. W ha t i s t he i nt e r a c t i on be t w e e n A ngo C odi ng or g a ni z a t i ona l c ul t ur e a nd c ont e x t a nd
t e a c he r s ’ know l e dge a nd m ot i va t i on?
3. W ha t a r e t he r e c om m e nda t i ons f or or g a ni z a t i ona l pr a c t i c e i n t he a r e a s of know l e dge ,
m ot i va t i on, a nd or g a ni z a t i ona l r e s our c e s ?
C on c e p t u al an d M e t h od ol ogi c al F r am e w or k
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 14
T hi s s t udy a dopt s C l a r k a nd E s t e s ’ ( 2008) g a p a na l y s i s , w hi c h i s a s y s t e m a t i c , a na l y t i c a l
m e t hod t ha t he l ps t o c l a r i f y or g a ni z a t i ona l g oa l s a nd i de nt i f y t he know l e dge , m ot i va t i on a nd
or ga ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s a f f e c t i ng g oa l a c hi e ve m e nt . S pe c i f i c a l l y , a n e va l ua t i on m ode l w i l l
be a da pt e d a nd i m pl e m e nt e d a s t he c onc e pt ua l f r a m e w or k.
T he m e t hodol og i c a l f r a m e w or k i s a qua l i t a t i ve c a s e s t udy w i t h de s c r i pt i ve s t a t i s t i c s .
T hr ough bot h pr of e s s i ona l know l e dge a nd l i t e r a t ur e , t hi s s t udy e va l ua t e s t he a s s um e d
know l e dge , m ot i va t i on a nd or ga ni z a t i ona l r e s our c e s i nf l ue nc i ng A ngo t e a c he r s i nc or por a t i ng
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o t he i r c our s e s , a s w e l l a s t he i m pa c t of s uc h i nf l ue nc e s on A ng o
C odi ng ’ s or g a ni z a t i ona l g oa l . T he s e i nf l ue nc e s w i l l be a s s e s s e d by us i ng s ur ve y s a nd
i nt e r vi e w s . R e s e a r c h- ba s e d s ol ut i ons w i l l be r e c om m e nde d a nd e va l ua t e d i n a c om pr e he ns i ve
m a nne r .
D e f i n i t i on s
P r ogr am m i ng : t he pr oc e s s of de s i gni ng a nd bui l di ng a n e x e c ut a bl e c om put e r pr ogr a m
f or a c c om pl i s hi ng a s pe c i f i c c om put i ng t a s k. I t i nvol ve s t a s ks s uc h a s a na l y s i s , g e ne r a t i ng
a l gor i t hm s , pr of i l i ng a l gor i t hm s ' a c c ur a c y a nd r e s our c e c ons um pt i on, a nd t he i m pl e m e nt a t i on
of a l gor i t hm s i n a c hos e n pr ogr a m m i ng l a ngua ge . T he w or d pr ogr a m m i ng c a n be us e d
i nt e r c ha nge a bl y w i t h c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng,
C om put at i onal t hi nk i ng s k i l l s : a pr obl e m - s ol vi ng pr oc e s s t ha t i nc l ude s ( but i s not
l i m i t e d t o) t he f ol l ow i ng c ha r a c t e r i s t i c s : f or m ul a t i ng pr obl e m s i n a w a y t ha t e na bl e s us t o us e
a c om put e r a nd ot he r t ool s t o he l p s ol ve t he m ; l og i c a l l y or g a ni z i ng a nd a na l y s i ng da t a ;
r e pr e s e nt i ng da t a t hr ough a bs t r a c t i ons s uc h a s m ode l s a nd s i m ul a t i ons ; a ut om a t i ng s ol ut i ons
t hr ough a l gor i t hm i c t hi nki ng ( a s e r i e s of or de r e d s t e ps ) ; i de nt i f y i ng, a na l y s i ng, a nd
i m pl e m e nt i ng pos s i bl e s ol ut i ons w i t h t he g oa l of a c hi e vi ng t he m os t e f f i c i e nt a nd e f f e c t i ve
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 15
c om bi na t i on of s t e ps a nd r e s our c e s ; g e ne r a l i z i ng a nd t r a ns f e r r i ng t hi s pr obl e m s ol vi ng
pr oc e s s t o a w i de va r i e t y of pr obl e m s ( B a r r & S t e phe ns on, 201 1 ) .
O r gan i z at i on of t h e P r oj e c t
F i ve c ha pt e r s a r e us e d t o or ga ni z e t hi s s t udy . T hi s c ha pt e r pr ovi de d t he r e a de r w i t h
t he ke y c onc e pt s a nd t e r m i nol og y c om m onl y f ound i n a di s c us s i on a bout e a r l y pr i m a r y
s c hool y e a r ’ s pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on w i t h c ul t i va t i on of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s . T he
or ga ni z a t i on ’ s m i s s i on, g oa l s a nd s t a ke hol de r s a nd t he f r a m e w or k f or t he pr oj e c t w e r e
i nt r oduc e d. C ha pt e r T w o pr ovi de s a r e vi e w of c ur r e nt l i t e r a t ur e s ur r oundi ng t he s c ope of t he
s t udy . T opi c s of e qui t y i s s ue s , c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s w i t h r e l a t i on t o pr ogr a m m i ng,
pr ogr a m m i ng w i t h e a r l y pr i m a r y s c hool y e a r s , a nd t e a c he r de ve l opm e nt a r e a ddr e s s e d.
C ha pt e r T hr e e de t a i l s t he know l e dge , m ot i va t i on a nd or ga ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s t o be
e x a m i ne d a s w e l l a s m e t hodol og y w he n i t c om e s t o t he c hoi c e of pa r t i c i pa nt s , da t a c ol l e c t i on
a nd a na l y s i s . I n C ha pt e r F our , t he da t a a r e a s s e s s e d a nd a na l y z e d a nd f i ndi ng s pr e s e nt e d.
C ha pt e r F i ve pr ovi de s s ol ut i ons , ba s e d on da t a a nd l i t e r a t ur e , f or r e a c hi ng t he or ga ni z a t i ona l
pe r f or m a nc e g oa l a s w e l l a s r e c om m e nda t i ons f or a n i m pl e m e nt a t i on a nd e va l ua t i on pl a n f or
t he pr opos e d s ol ut i ons .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 16
C H A P T E R T W O : L I T E R A T U R E R E V I E W
T hi s c ha pt e r pr ovi de s a g e ne r a l ove r vi e w of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng ( C T ) a s a 21
s t
c e nt ur y c om pe t e nc y f or s c hool - a ge c hi l dr e n g l oba l l y . I t i s f ol l ow e d by a di s c us s i on of
pol i c i e s a nd i ni t i a t i ve s of i nt e g r a t i on a nd pr om ot i on of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n K - 12
e du c a t i on s e t t i n gs . F a c t o r s t ha t i nf l u e n c e t he l e a r n i ng out c om e s of C T s ki l l s w i l l be di s c u s s e d,
i nc l udi ng c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng a s a n i ns t r um e nt f or de ve l opi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i n
s t ude nt s a nd c ha l l e nge s r e l a t e d t o a s s e s s m e nt m e c ha ni s m a nd t e a c he r de ve l opm e nt . T hi s
c ha pt e r t he n c onc l ude s w i t h t he C l a r k a nd E s t e s ( 2008) g a p a na l y t i c f r a m e w or k t ha t g ui de s
t hi s s t udy t o e x a m i ne t he know l e dg e , m ot i va t i on a nd or ga ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s r e l a t e d t o
A ngo t e a c he r s bui l di ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n t he i r c ur r i c ul um a nd s t ude nt l e a r ni ng
B u i l d i n g C om p u t at i on al T h i n k i n g I n K - 12 E d u c at i on al S e t t i n gs
C om p u t at i on al T h i n k i n g as a 21
s t
C e n t u r y C om p e t e n c e
C om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i s a t e r m pr opos e d by W i ng ( 2006) t o r e f e r t o t he ke y i de a s of
“ s ol vi ng pr obl e m s , de s i g ni ng s y s t e m s , a nd unde r s t a ndi ng hum a n be ha vi or , by dr a w i ng on t he
c onc e pt s f unda m e nt a l t o c om put e r s c i e nc e ” ( W i ng , 2006, p. 33) . S i m i l a r t o di g i t a l l i t e r a c y or
di g i t a l c om pe t e nc e , c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng c a n be a bout ope r a t i ona l a nd t e c hni c a l s ki l l s ,
i nc l udi ng “ a bs t r a c t i on, a l gor i t hm i c t hi nki ng , a ut om a t i on, de c om pos i t i on, de buggi ng , a nd
g e ne r a l i z a t i on ” ( B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016, p. 7) . H ow e ve r , C T g oe s be y o nd di g i t a l
l i t e r a c y / c om pe t e nc e i n t ha t i t i s c ha r a c t e r i z e d by a t t i t ude s or di s pos i t i ons s uc h a s c onf i de nc e ,
pe r s i s t e nc e a nd c ol l a bor a t i on i n de a l i ng w i t h c om pl e x pr obl e m s ( B a r r & C one r y , 2011;
W e i nt r op e t a l ., 2015; W ool l a r d, 2016; ) . S i nc e C T e nc om pa s s e s a s e t of know l e dge , s ki l l s
a nd a t t i t ude s , i t c a n be a ddr e s s e d t o a s C T c om pe t e nc e ( V oogt , F i s s e r , G ood, M i s hr a , &
Y a da v, 2015) , w hi c h pr e pa r e s s t ude nt s t o be pr obl e m s ol ve r s r a t he r t ha n s of t w a r e us e r s
( Y a da v, 2014) .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 17
I n 2006, W i ng s t r e s s e d t he uni ve r s a l a ppl i c a bi l i t y f or e ve r y o ne t o l e a r n a nd us e C T
( W i ng , 2006) by s t a t i ng , “ T o r e a di ng, w r i t i ng , a nd a r i t hm e t i c , w e s houl d a dd c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng t o e ve r y c hi l d ’ s a na l y t i c a l a bi l i t y ” ( W i ng , 2006, p. 33) . T he N a t i ona l R e s e a r c h
C ounc i l pr opos e d a n i nt e r pr e t a t i on of C T s t a t i ng , C T i s a c ogni t i ve s ki l l t ha t a n a ve r a ge
pe r s on ne e ds t o pos s e s s ( N a t i ona l R e s e a r c h C ounc i l , 2010) . T he N a t i ona l R e s e a r c h C ounc i l
r e por t hi g hl i ght e d, “ ( 1) t ha t s t ude nt s c a n l e a r n t hi nki ng s t r a t e gi e s s uc h a s c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng a s t he y s t udy a di s c i pl i ne , ( 2) t ha t t e a c he r s a nd c ur r i c ul a c a n m ode l t he s e s t r a t e gi e s
f or s t ude nt s , a nd ( 3) t ha t a ppr opr i a t e g ui da nc e c a n e na bl e s t ude nt s t o l e a r n t o us e t he s e
s t r a t e gi e s i nde pe nde nt l y ” ( N a t i ona l R e s e a r c h C ounc i l , 2010, p. 62) . I n 2016, a s t udy done by
B oc c oni e x a m i ne d ove r 300 publ i s he d pa pe r s on t hi s t opi c , w hi c h a l l hi g hl i ght e d C T ’ s va l ue
i n c ont r i but i ng t o f os t e r 21
s t
c e nt ur y s ki l l s f or l e a r ne r s ( B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016) . C om m onl y
m e nt i one d f r a m e w or ks f or 21
s t
c e nt ur y s ki l l s i nc l ude i nf or m a t i on, m e di a , a nd t e c hnol ogy
s ki l l s a s r e qui r e d c om pe t e nc i e s f or e f f e c t i ve c i t i z e ns hi p ( J a ng , 2016) , a nd a c c or di ng t o D e de
( 2010, p. 2) , w he n c om pa r i ng f r a m e w or ks f or 21
s t
c e nt ur y s ki l l s , “ s ophi s t i c a t e d I C T s
[ I nf or m a t i on a nd C om m uni c a t i ons T e c hnol ogy ] a r e c ha ngi ng t he na t ur e of “ pe r e nni a l ” s ki l l s
va l ua bl e t hr oughout hi s t or y , a s w e l l a s c r e a t i ng nove l “ c ont e x t ua l ” s ki l l s uni que t o ne w
m i l l e nni um w or k a nd c i t i z e ns hi p. ”
C T i s ne e de d t o pr e pa r e t he 21
s t
g e ne r a t i on of t e c h- s a vvy e m pl oy e e s w ho w i l l f i l l j ob
va c a nc i e s i n a nd out of I C T t o boos t e c onom i c g r ow t h ( B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016) . A s unf i l l e d
pos i t i on s f or e ngi n e e r s a nd t e c h ni c i a ns a r e s e e n i n c ou nt r i e s w i t h hi gh r a t e s of une m p l oy m e nt ,
c ont i nue d g r ow i ng de m a nd f or s t ude nt s w i t h C T know l e dge i s e xpe c t e d ( K hi ne , 2018) . A
s ur ve y of M i ni s t r i e s of E duc a t i on f r om E ur ope a n c ount r i e s r e l a t e d t o i nt e g r a t i ng C T i n t he
c ur r i c ul um c onc l ude d t ha t m os t c ount r i e s i n a nd out of E ur ope i nt r oduc e C T w i t h t he m a i n
pur pos e t o f os t e r 21
s t
c e nt ur y s ki l l s w hi c h a r e pe r c e i ve d “ e s s e nt i a l f or a c t i ve pa r t i c i pa t i on i n
t he know l e dge s oc i e t y ” w i t h di g i t a l j ob m a r ke t s ( B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016, p. 26) .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 18
C T P ol i c i e s an d I n i t i at i ve s I n s i d e an d O u t s i d e of K - 12 S c h ool S e t t i n gs
C T doe s not ha ve a l ong hi s t or y w i t h t he “ or i gi n of C T l i t e r a t ur e no m or e t ha n t e n
y e a r s ol d ” ( D ol e c k e t a l ., 2017, p. 591) . A s a r e s ul t , r e s e a r c h a bout C T i s a l s o r e l a t i ve l y
l i m i t e d ( D ol e c k e t a l ., 2017; L y e & K oh, 2014) . I n a ddi t i on, m uc h of t he r e s e a r c h i s on
a f t e r - s c hool a c t i vi t i e s w he r e s t ude nt s pa r t i c i pa t e vol unt a r i l y i ns t e a d of on g ove r nm e nt a l
pol i c i e s a nd na t i ona l c ur r i c ul um s ( L y e & K oh, 2014) . D e s pi t e t he c ur r e nt s t a t us of r e s e a r c h,
g l oba l l y t he r e i s a s t r ong m ove m e nt a nd r e ne w e d i nt e r e s t i n t e a c hi ng pr og r a m m i ng a t a l l
K - 12 l e ve l s ( K a f a i & B ur ke , 2013) , w i t h a n a ppa r e nt f oc us on de ve l opi ng C T ( P opa t e t a l .,
2019) . T hr ough pr ogr a m m i ng a nd un- pl ug ge d a c t i vi t i e s , C T g e t s r e i nt e r pr e t e d a nd
i m pl e m e nt e d i n t he t op- dow n c om pul s or y e duc a t i on by g ove r nm e nt s a c r os s t he w or l d a s w e l l
a s i n t he bot t om - up, g r a s s - r oot i ni t i a t i ve s g l oba l l y a nd l oc a l l y ( B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016) .
T he e duc a t i ona l l a nds c a pe of C T i s c ha ngi ng f a s t a nd a c om pr e he ns i ve g l oba l s ur ve y
of i t s i nf l ue nc e i s l a c ki ng. H ow e ve r , m a ny c oun t r i e s , i nc l udi ng t he U S , c oun t r i e s f r o m t he E U ,
U K , I s r a e l , R us s i a , S out h A f r i c a , N e w Z e a l a nd, S out h K or e a , a nd ot he r s , ha ve i nva r i a bl y
m a de r oom f or c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng de ve l opm e nt t hr oug h c om put e r s c i e nc e ( C S )
i ns t r uc t i on ( G r ove r & P e a , 2013) . A t t he pol i c y l e ve l , e x pe r i e nc e c a n be g a t he r e d f r om
e x a m pl e s of how C T i s i m pl e m e nt e d a nd i nt e g r a t e d i n t he na t i ona l c ur r i c ul a of t he s e
c ount r i e s . I n t he U ni t e d S t a t e s , a c c or di ng t o s t a t i s t i c s f r om t he O ba m a W hi t e hous e , 51
pe r c e nt of a l l S T E M j obs i n 2018 w e r e pr oj e c t e d t o be i n c om put e r s c i e nc e - r e l a t e d f i e l ds
( O ba m a W hi t e hous e , 2016) . T hus , a C S f or a l l f r a m e w or k w a s pr opos e d by t he U S
g ove r nm e nt bui l di ng C S a s a ne w ba s i c s ki l l ne c e s s a r y f or e c onom i c oppor t uni t y a nd s oc i a l
m obi l i t y . I n E ur ope , a s e a r l y a s 2006, t he E ur ope a n P a r l i a m e nt a nd t he C ounc i l of t he
E ur ope a n U ni on l i s t e d di g i t a l c om pe t e nc e a s a ke y c om pe t e nc y f or l i f e l ong l e a r ni ng ( F e r r a r i ,
2013) . A c c or di ng t o a s ur ve y a m ong 21 E ur ope a n c ount r i e s , 16 of t he m ha ve a l r e a dy
i nc l ude d c om put e r pr og r a m m i ng a s pa r t of t he c ur r i c ul um i n y e a r 2014, w i t h t he U K a m ong
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 19
t he f i r s t c ount r i e s t o m a nda t e c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng i n i t s pr i m a r y a nd s e c onda r y e duc a t i on
i n publ i c s c hool s ( B a l a ns ka t & E ngl e ha r t , 2014) . I n 2013, t he U K c ha nge d i t s na t i ona l
c ur r i c ul um f r om I C T ( I n f or m a t i on a nd C om m uni c a t i ons T e c hnol og y ) t o a ne w c om put i ng
c ur r i c ul um i nc l udi ng c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng l e s s ons f or c hi l dr e n a s y o ung a s f i ve ( B r i t i s h
D e pa r t m e nt f or E duc a t i on, 2013) . T he pur pos e of c om put i ng pr ogr a m m e s of s t udy i n ke y
s t a ge s 1 a nd 2 i n U K s t i pul a t e d t ha t a hi g h- qua l i t y c om put i ng e duc a t i on e qui ps pupi l s t o us e
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng a nd c r e a t i vi t y t o unde r s t a nd a nd c ha nge t he w or l d. A s a c ount r y of
t r a di t i ons i n C om put e r S c i e nc e e duc a t i on, t he M i ni s t r y of E duc a t i on i n I s r a e l a dopt e d
de t a i l e d pol i c i e s t o s uppor t C om put e r S c i e nc e i n m i ddl e a nd hi g h s c hool s , w i t h C S e i t he r
be i ng a n i ndi vi dua l s ubj e c t or a c ul t ur e of di g i t a l l i t e r a c y a nd t hi nki ng a c r os s ot he r s ubj e c t s
( G a l - E z e r & S t e phe ns on, 2014; W e bb e t a l ., 2016; B a r g ur y e t a l ., 2012) . I n N e w Z e a l a nd, i t i s
e x pe c t e d t ha t i n y e a r 2020, a ne w c ur r i c ul um c ont e nt e m pha s i z i ng C T w i l l be a dopt e d i n a l l
s c hool s f r om y e a r 1 t o 13. I t w a s s t i pul a t e d t ha t “ S t ude nt s w i l l de ve l op a n unde r s t a ndi ng of
c om put e r s c i e nc e pr i nc i pl e s t ha t unde r l i e a l l di g i t a l t e c hnol o g i e s . T he y ’ l l l e a r n c or e
pr ogr a m m i ng c onc e pt s s o t ha t t he y c a n be c om e c r e a t or s of di g i t a l t e c hnol ogy , not j us t us e r s . ”
( N e w Z e a l a nd M i ni s t r y of E duc a t i on, 2018) .
F ur t he r , i n A s i a , S out h K or e a ’ s M i ni s t r y of E duc a t i on, M i ni s t r y of S c i e nc e , a nd
F ut ur e P l a nni ng w i l l pr ovi de s pe c i a l i z e d s of t w a r e e duc a t i on t r a i ni ng t o 60,000 pr i m a r y
s c hool t e a c he r s , w i t h 6,000 r e c e i vi ng i n- de pt h t r a i ni ng ( P a r k, 2016) . T he E duc a t i on B ur e a u
( E D B ) i n H ong K ong e nga ge d i n t he pr om ot i on of m a ki ng c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng
e x t r a - c ur r i c ul a r a c t i vi t i e s i n s c hool s . F ur t he r m or e , E D B a l s o m a de s ug ge s t i ons t o r e ne w
c ur r i c ul um s of I n f or m a t i on a nd C o m m uni c a t i on T e c hnol og y t o c ul t i va t e s t ude nt s w i t h
c a pa bi l i t i e s s uc h a s c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng ( W o ng , C he ung , C hi ng , & H ue n, 2015) . I n
m a i nl a nd C hi na a s e a r l y a s 1997, t he M i ni s t r y of E duc a t i on ( M O E ) publ i s he d D oc um e nt
N um be r 155 t a r g e t i ng hi g he r e duc a t i on, s e t t i ng c om put i ng i n c ol l e ge e duc a t i on a s a r e qui r e d
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 20
c our s e f or a l l di s c i pl i ne s . S i nc e t he n, e a c h y e a r a n e s t i m a t e d num be r of s i x m i l l i on s t ude nt s
e nr ol l e d i n t he c om pul s or y c our s e of C ol l e g e C om put e r s . S om e pi one e r i ng t e a c he r s ha ve
c r e a t e d e nt i r e l y ne w c ur r i c ul a ba s e d on c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng ( R i c h & H odg e s , 2017) . I n
2010, C hi na ’ s t op uni ve r s i t i e s e x pl i c i t l y s t a t e d t ha t C T s ki l l s be m a de f unda m e nt a l f or t a l e nt s
a c r os s a ny di s c i pl i ne f or f ut ur e s oc i e t y ( L o ng, Z ha ng, & L i , 2013) .
I n i t i at i ve s ou t s i d e of f or m al K - 12 s c h ool s e t t i n gs . W hi l e a t t e nt i on f r om r e s e a r c he r s
a nd pol i c y m a ke r s on C T a r os e w or l dw i de , e f f or t s on na t i ona l a nd r e gi ona l l e ve l s w e r e
i nt e ns i f i e d t o i nt e g r a t e a nd e nc our a ge c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . B e s i de s t hos e i ni t i a t i ve s
i nt r oduc e d f or m a l l y i nt o s y s t e m s of e duc a t i on, a n a r r a y of g r a s s r oot i ni t i a t i ve s e m e r ge d a t a l l
l e ve l s ( B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016) . T he r i s e of t he s e i ni t i a t i ve s w a s i ni t i a l l y t o “ f i l l t he g a p be t w e e n
s oc i a l ne e ds a nd e duc a t i ona l pr ovi s i ons ” ( B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016, p. 45) , a nd m a ny ha ve g r ow n
t o r e a c h g l oba l s t a t us i n s i z e a nd i nf l ue nc e . I n 2014 f or i ns t a nc e , E U c ode w e e k br ought
t og e t he r t hous a nds of pe opl e , i nc l udi ng c hi l dr e n, pa r e nt s , t e a c he r s , e m pl oy e r s a nd pol i c y
m a ke r s , f or m or e t ha n 3000 e ve nt s on c r e a t i ng w i t h c ode ( M or e no- L e ón & R obl e s , 2015) .
S i m i l a r l y , l e a r ni ng c om m uni t i e s l i ke H our of C ode e nj oy e d t he pa r t i c i pa t i on i n c om put e r
s c i e nc e by 180 c ount r i e s a nd 76,000 s t ude nt s i n 2014 ( W i l s on, 2015) . O t he r t ha n
t i m e - c onc e nt r a t e d c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng a c t i vi t i e s , r e gul a r c om m uni t i e s ha ve be e n
e s t a bl i s he d f or y o ung pe opl e t o pa r t i c i pa t e , c ol l a bor a t e a nd s ha r e t he i r i de a s t hr ough c ode d
w or ks . F or novi c e l e a r ne r s , pl a t f or m s l i ke P r oc e s s i ng.or g a s a n ope n- s our c e c om m uni t y
a l l ow s i t s us e r s t o pos t a nd s ha r e i nf or m a t i on t o l e a r n pr ogr a m m i ng i n t he f or m of onl i ne
e x hi bi t i ons ( K a f a i & P e ppl e r , 2011) . L a unc he d i n 2007, t he S c r a t c h w e b s i t e i s a vi br a nt
onl i ne c om m uni t y w i t h m i l l i ons of us e r s a nd ne w pr oj e c t s s ha r e d by pe opl e f r om a l l a r ound
t he w or l d ( R e s ni c k e t a l ., 2009) . T he l a t e s t ve r s i on of S c r a t c h now e xi s t s e nt i r e l y onl i ne s o
c hi l dr e n c a n pr ogr a m a nd s ha r e f r om a s i ng l e w e b s i t e , t a c i t l y hi g hl i ght i ng t he f a c t t ha t t he
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 21
c om m uni t y of pr a c t i c e e f f e c t i ve l y ha s be c om e t he ke y t ool f or l e a r ni ng t o c ode ( K a f a i &
B ur ke , 2013) .
A not a bl e t r a i t i s t ha t t he s e i ni t i a t i ve s , or i gi na l l y f oc us i ng on c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng
e duc a t i on, ha ve g r a dua l l y t a ke n a n a ppr oa c h t o e m br a c e a br oa de r c onc e pt t o i nc l ude C T a nd
C S i n t he i r vi s i ons . F or i ns t a nc e , t he c ha r t e r of a non- pr of i t f ounda t i on C ode .O r g s pe c i f i e s
t ha t i t s pl a ns a r e t o: 1) E duc a t e ; 2) A dvoc a t e ; a nd 3) C e l e br a t e . T he ‘ E duc a t e ’ s t r a t e gy
c ons i s t s of br i ngi ng c om put e r s c i e nc e t o s c hool s by de ve l opi ng t he i r ow n c ur r i c ul um , ve t t i ng
a nd r e c om m e ndi ng a ddi t i ona l t hi r d- pa r t y - de s i g ne d c ur r i c ul um , a nd t r a i ni ng t e a c he r s t o
i m pl e m e nt a nd us e t he s e c ur r i c ul a i n t he c l a s s r oom t o i ns pi r e s t ude nt s , pa r e nt s , a nd s c hool s t o
w a nt t o pa r t i c i pa t e . ( G ui de S t a r , 2014) . T he s e i ni t i a t i ve s he l p t o f os t e r a “ pa r t i c i pa t or y
t e c hnol ogi c a l c ul t ur e ” ( K a f a i & B ur ke , 2013; B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016) w he r e pe opl e c e l e br a t e
di g i t a l c ul t ur e .
I t i s a l s o w or t h not i ng t ha t g r a s s r oot i ni t i a t i ve s c om pl e m e nt f or m a l e duc a t i on t hr ough
c our s e m a t e r i a l s de ve l opm e nt a nd t e a c he r t r a i ni ng ( L i u, W i m m e r , & R a da , , 2016) . G oogl e ,
f or i ns t a nc e , ha s pr ovi de d i ni t i a l s uppor t f or a pa r t ne r s hi p be t w e e n t he A s s oc i a t i on f or
C om put i ng M a c hi ne r y ( A C M ) , G oogl e , a nd t he C om put e r S c i e nc e T e a c he r s A s s oc i a t i on
( C S T A ) t o be gi n de ve l opi ng m ode l s t o s c a l e up t he w or k a r ound C om put e r S c i e nc e
P r i nc i pl e s i n c ol l a bor a t i on w i t h N S F ( C uny , 2012) . I n a ddi t i on, s c hool s w or l dw i de a dopt
c our s e s f r om C S U npl ug ge d a nd C ode .or g , a nd t e a c he r s a r e s uppor t e d i n t he c ur r i c ul um
i m pl e m e nt a t i on pr oc e s s t hr ough a num be r of i ni t i a t i ve s i nc l udi ng C om put i ng A t S c hool a nd
C S K 10, a pr ogr a m f i na nc e d by t he U S N a t i ona l S c i e nc e F ounda t i on t ha t ha s t r a i ne d 10,000
uppe r s e c onda r y c om put e r s c i e nc e t e a c he r s f r om 2010 t o 2016 ( B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016) .
C ode .or g ha s a l s o pr ovi de d c ur r i c ul um g ui de s f or A P c om put e r s c i e nc e ( F r a nke & O s bor ne ,
2015) , a nd s uc h g ui de s ha ve be e n a dopt e d i n K - 5 a nd K - 12 c ur r i c ul um ( A pone e t a l ., 2015) .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 22
W i t h t he r a pi d e x pa ns i on of pol i c i e s a nd i ni t i a t i ve s t o s uppor t pr og r a m m i ng e duc a t i on
a nd t he de ve l opm e nt of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n y o ung l e a r ne r s , i t i s i m por t a nt t o
unde r s t a nd f a c t or s t ha t i m pa c t c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng l e a r ni ng out c om e s .
F ac t or s I m p ac t i n g C om p u t at i on al T h i n k i n g L e ar n i n g O u t c om e s
C om p u t e r P r ogr am m i n g as an I n s t r u m e n t f or C om p u t at i on al T h i n k i n g w i t h E ar l y
S c h ool - A ge d C h i l d r e n
C om pa r e d w i t h c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng , a r e l a t i ve l y ne w t e r m pr opos e d i n 2006,
c odi ng a nd pr ogr a m m i ng ha ve a l ong e r hi s t or y i n f i e l ds of r e s e a r c h a nd e duc a t i ona l pol i c y .
A s e a r l y a s 1980, S e y m our P a pe r t ’ s “ M i nds t or m s : C hi l dr e n, c om put e r s , a nd pow e r f ul i de a s ”
he l d t ha t c hi l dr e n w oul d be e x pos e d t o pow e r f ul i de a s t hr oug h c om put e r pr og r a m m i ng , a nd
t he t r a ns f e r of c ogni t i ve s ki l l s f r om c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng w oul d t he r e by e nha nc e t he i r
l e a r ni ng ( P a pe r t , 1980) . T hi s w a s a pi one e r i ng w or k i n t he f i e l d of m a ki ng pr og r a m m i ng
a c c e s s i bl e t o c hi l dr e n ( R i c h & H odge s , 2017) . C odi ng a nd pr ogr a m m i ng do not ove r l a p w i t h
C T i n t ha t “ t hi nki ng a s a c om put e r s c i e nt i s t m e a ns m or e t ha n be i ng a bl e t o pr ogr a m a
c om put e r ” ( W i ng , 2006, p. 33) . I n s t e a d of be i ng C T i t s e l f , c odi ng a nd pr ogr a m m i ng a r e
c ons i de r e d g r e a t t ool s t o r e a l i z i ng C T ( W e bb, D a vi s , K a t z , R e y n ol ds , & S y s l o, 2015) .
A c c or di ng t o l i t e r a t ur e , a n i nt e r r e l a t e d i nf l ue nc e be t w e e n C T a nd c odi ng/ pr ogr a m m i ng i s
pr om i ne nt : t he a c qui s i t i on of C T doe s not ne c e s s a r i l y ne e d c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng, be i ng a
( c onc e pt ua l ) a ppr oa c h t o pr obl e m s ol vi ng t ha t us e s s t r a t e gi e s s uc h a s a l gor i t hm s , a bs t r a c t i on
a nd de buggi ng. H ow e ve r , pr ogr a m m i ng c a n m a ke t he ot he r w i s e - a bs t r a c t C T c onc e pt s
c onc r e t e a nd c a n t he r e f or e be a n e f f e c t i ve a nd pr a c t i c a l w a y t o f os t e r t he de ve l opm e nt of C T
s ki l l s ( B e r l a nd & W i l e ns ky , 2015; B r e nna n & R e s ni c k, 2012; G r ove r & P e a , 2013; W i l s on &
M of f a t , 2010; ) .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 23
S t r e n gt h an d L i m i t at i on s of C om p u t e r P r ogr am m i n g as a T o ol f or E ar l y S c h ool
C h i l d r e n ’ s C om p u t at i on al T h i n k i n g D e ve l op m e n t
“ L o w f l oor , hi g h c e i l i ng ” ha s be e n a g ui di ng pr i nc i pl e f or t he e s t a bl i s hm e nt of
pr ogr a m m i ng e nvi r onm e nt s f or s c hool c hi l dr e n ( R e pe nni ng e t a l ., 2010) . L o w t hr e s hol d a nd
hi g h c e i l i ng m a ke c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng a c c e s s i bl e a s w e l l a s c ha l l e ngi ng, m a ki ng t he
c om put a t i ona l e nvi r onm e nt s y s t e m i c a nd s us t a i na bl e . A s a ke y w a y t o e na bl e c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng ( L ye & K oh, 2014) , c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng i s a f a vor i t e a ppr oa c h t o a dopt ( S e l by ,
2012, 2014; H s u e t a l ., p.304) . S i nc e t he l a s t de c a de , m a ny popul a r pr og r a m m i ng t ool s m e e t
t he c r i t e r i a of ha vi ng l ow t hr e s hol d w hi l e be i ng c ha l l e ngi ng, i nc l udi ng S c r a t c h, A l i c e , a nd
G a m e M a ke r ( G r ove r & P e a , 2013) . R e s e a r c h s how t ha t , a s a c onc r e t e i ns t r um e nt ,
pr ogr a m m i ng c a n m a ke a bs t r a c t C T c onc e pt s a c c e s s i bl e t o l e a r ne r s ( M ue l l e r e t a l ., 2017) .
S i nc e t he pr ogr a m m i ng l a ngua ge a nd pr oduc t of pr ogr a m m i ng c a n be vi s ua l i z e d, t he obs t a c l e
of r e m e m be r i ng t he s pe c i f i c di r e c t i ve l a ngua ge i s r e m ove d ( W i l s on & M of f a t , 2010; B r e nna n
& R e s ni c k, 2012; B e r l a nd & W i l e ns ky , 2015) , t hus C T i s e na c t e d w i t h m or e e a s e ( L ye &
K oh, 2014) . S i m i l a r l y , s i nc e pr ogr a m m i ng i s vi s ua l i z a bl e , i t be ne f i t s bot h t he c ogni t i ve a nd
a f f e c t i ve s i de s of l e a r ni ng ( W i l s on & M of f a t , 2010) . S t ude nt s a r e a l s o f a c i l i t a t e d i n a r e a s of
ove r a l l C T pr obl e m - s ol vi ng a bi l i t y dur i ng t he pr oc e s s of t e s t i ng a nd de buggi ng ( L i n & L i u,
2012; R a t c l i f f & A nde r s on, 2011) . U t i l i z i ng t he pot e nt i a l a nd a dva nt a ge of pr ogr a m m i ng
“ pr ovi de s a f ounda t i on f or t he de ve l opm e nt of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng f or e ve r y o ne ”
( M ue l l e r e t a l ., 2017, p. 260) .
F or s c hool a ge d c hi l dr e n, C T i s de e m e d be s t t o be i nt r oduc e d a nd de ve l ope d f r om a n
e a r l y a g e a nd e ve n y o ung c hi l dr e n c a n c om pr e he nd a nd ut i l i z e c or e C T c onc e pt s ( B oc c oni e t
a l ., 2016; C r ow , 2014; I s r a e l e t a l ., 2015) . S t udi e s s how c hi l dr e n a s y o ung a s ki nde r ga r t e n
a ge l e a r n a bout c onc e pt s l i ke c ount i ng t hr ough pr ogr a m m i ng a nd be ne f i t f r om s i m pl e vi s ua l
pr og r a m m i ng ( F e s s a ki s & M a vr oudi , 2013) . V i s ua l pr ogr a m m i ng l a ngua ge s l i ke S c r a t c h
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 24
ha ve be e n de s i gne d s pe c i f i c a l l y f or e a r l y - a ge pr ogr a m m i ng e x pe r i e nc e . T he s e t ool s m a ke i t
e a s y t o e na c t t he c om put a t i ona l pr a c t i c e t hr oug h vi s ua l i z i ng a n i m a t e d obj e c t s , w hi c h
f a c i l i t a t e s s t ude nt s ’ pr obl e m - s ol vi ng a bi l i t y w i t hout e x e r t i ng t oo m uc h e x t r a ne ous c ogni t i ve
l oa d ( L i n & L i u, 2012) . M or e ove r , t he s e t ool s c a n s e r ve a s a f or m of w r i t i ng t ha t e nga ge s
s t ude nt s i n a c r e a t i ve a nd i nt e r e s t i ng w a y ( R e s ni c k, 2012) .
H ow e ve r , t he r e ha ve a l s o be e n c onc e r ns w i t h t he l i m i t a t i ons or ne ga t i ve e f f e c t s of
t e a c hi ng C T t hr ough c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng t ha t i nc l ude : a c c e s s i bi l i t y t o c om put e r a nd
pr ogr a m m i ng t ool s ; e x t e nde d e x pos ur e t o a c om put e r , w i t h a n i na dve r t e nt a f f e c t t o he a l t h;
a nd l a c k of pa r t i c i pa t i on a m ong g i r l s ( H i nkl e y e t a l ., 2014; P a g e e t a l ., 2010) . S om e a r gue
t ha t pr og r a m m i ng t ool s va r y i n t he i r e f f e c t i ve ne s s i n a l l ow i ng f or e nga ge m e nt w i t h t he
va r i ous c om pone nt e l e m e nt s of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . F or i ns t a nc e , a s a popul a r
pr ogr a m m i ng t ool f or y o ungs t e r s or e a r l y l e a r ne r s , S c r a t c h w a s a bl e t o de m ons t r a t e
c om put a t i ona l e l e m e nt s y e t i t l a c ke d t he m e a ns t o a bs t r a c t f unc t i ona l i t y i nt o f unc t i ons a nd
pr oc e dur e s ( G r ove r & P e a , 2013) . A s s uc h, F i nc he r ( 2015) c a l l s f or c ogni t i ve r e s e a r c h a s ki ng
que s t i ons r e ga r di ng w he t he r g r a phi c a l pr ogr a m m i ng e nvi r onm e nt s , s uc h a s S c r a t c h J r , of f e r a
pr oduc t i ve w a y t o t e a c h c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng ( N e w m a n, P e no, A da m y , G oodr ow , &
S a nde r s , 2017) . A c c e s s i bi l i t y i s a not he r pr om i ne nt i s s ue : w i t h di g i t a l di vi de c r e a t e d be y o nd
s i m pl y ha vi ng a c c e s s t o t ool s , but t o t he know l e dg e a nd s ki l l s r e qui r e d t o ut i l i z e t he s e t ool s
( K a f a i & B ur ke , 2014; V a l a de z & D ur a n, 2007) . T w o a ddi t i ona l c ha l l e nge s t ha t ha ve
e m e r ge d w i t h t he i nc r e a s i ng f oc us on pol i c i e s a nd i ni t i a t i ve s t o s uppor t pr ogr a m m i ng
e duc a t i on a nd f os t e r c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s a r e t he de ve l opm e nt of a s s e s s m e nt
m e c ha ni s m s a nd t e a c he r pr e pa r a t i on a nd t r a i ni ng , a s di s c us s e d be l ow .
A s s e s s m e n t m e c h an i s m s . W i t h g r ow i ng a gr e e m e nt a r ound t he i m por t a nc e of C T , t he
f oc us of di f f e r e nt s t a ke hol de r s ha s s hi f t e d t o t he que s t i on of how t o a s s e s s t he de ve l opm e nt
a nd l e a r ni ng out c om e s of C T . E nc om pa s s i ng a va r i e t y of c onc e pt s a nd c a pa bi l i t i e s ( K a na ki &
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 25
K a l ogi a nna ki s , 2018) , c om put a t i ona l s ki l l s a r e not e a s y t o a s s e s s . T he va l i di t y of e x i s t i ng
a s s e s s m e nt t ool s i s y e t t o be c onf i r m e d a nd m os t s t r a t e gi e s a s s e s s C T by t he a na l y s i s of
a r t i f a c t s de ve l ope d by s t ude nt s ( G r ove r & P e a , 2013) . T he r e s e a r c h of r e l a t e d a r e a s a l s o
r e m a i ns qui t e l i m i t e d s i nc e t he r e i s not e noug h e m pi r i c a l r e s e a r c h on a s s e s s m e nt of t he
l e a r ni ng out c om e of c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng i n t e r m s of c om put a t i ona l s ki l l s ( B oc c oni e t a l .,
2016) . Y e t , t o f ul l y a nd e f f e c t i ve l y i nt e g r a t e C T i n e duc a t i on r e qui r e s s y s t e m a t i c a s s e s s m e nt ,
s o w e c a n ha ve a m or e c om pr e he ns i ve pi c t ur e of C T l e a r ni ng out c om e s .
A va r i e t y of a s s e s s m e nt s t r a t e gi e s a nd t ool s ha ve be e n de ve l ope d i n t he pa s t de c a de s .
O ne s t r a t e gy i s t o a s s e s s s t ude nt s ’ m odi f i c a t i on of c ode i n a pr ogr a m f or c onc r e t e pur pos e
( B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016) . M ul t i pl e - c hoi c e a s s e s s m e nt s ha ve a l s o be e n a dopt e d i n pr i m a r y a nd
s e c onda r y s c hool s . P r oj e c t s t ha t pr ovi de f r e e a c c e s s t o onl i ne a s s e s s m e nt ha ve be e n
de ve l ope d a t C om put i ng A t S c hool t o he l p t e a c he r s t o c he c k t he pr ogr e s s of t he i r s t ude nt s
( B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016) . T o f a c i l i t a t e t e a c hi ng, t ool s s uc h a s D r . S c r a t c h pr ovi de a ut om a t i c
a na l y s i s of pr oj e c t s w i t h a n a s s i g ne d C T s c or e ( M or e no- L e ón, R obl e s , & R om a n- G onz a l e z ,
2015) . I n g e ne r a l , a s s e s s m e nt c a n be s um m a r i z e d i nt o t hr e e t y p e s a c c or di ng t o B r e nna n a nd
R e s ni c k ( 2012) : ( i ) f oc us on s t ude nt s ’ por t f ol i os of pr oj e c t s ; ( i i ) f oc us on de s i gn s c e na r i os ;
a nd ( i i i ) f oc us on a r t i f a c t - ba s e d i nt e r vi e w s . K a na ki a nd K a l og i a nna ki s ( 2018 ) a l s o s ug ge s t e d
t w o di r e c t i ons f or de ve l opi ng a s s e s s m e nt : ( i ) e x a m i ni ng w he t he r ba s i c c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng c onc e pt s a r e e x e r c i s e d a nd, t hus , de r i ve d s ki l l s a r e e nha nc e d t hr ough t he
pr ogr a m m i ng a nd ( i i ) f a m i l i a r i z i ng t he us e r s w i t h t he c onc e pt s a nd s y n t a x .
R e s e a r c h s how s t ha t a s s e s s m e nt a s a c r uc i a l a s pe c t of C T i s s t i l l l i m i t e d. I n f a c t , t he
A s s oc i a t i on f or C om put i ng M a c hi ne r y ( A C M ) a nd t he C om put e r S c i e nc e T e a c he r
A s s oc i a t i on ( C S T A ) s t r e s s t ha t t he m a j or f a c t or t ha t l i m i t s t he popul a r i z a t i on of
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i s t he l a c k of a ppr opr i a t e a s s e s s m e nt s a va i l a bl e t o t e a c he r s ( M ue l l e r
e t a l ., 2017) . C onve r g e d i de a s by r e s e a r c he r s i ndi c a t e t ha t c ur r e nt a s s e s s m e nt s a r e not a bl e t o
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 26
e nc om pa s s t he c om pl e x c ogni t i ve pr oc e dur e s of C T a nd ne w t ool s a nd c r i t e r i a a r e i n ne e d t o
c ove r t he w hol e s pe c t r um of C T , e s pe c i a l l y a c r os s c ur r i c ul um i n K - 12 s y s t e m ( B oc c oni e t a l .,
2016) .
T e ac h e r p r e p ar at i on an d t r ai n i n g . W hi l e t he r e a r e c ha l l e nge s i n a s s e s s m e nt
s t a nda r ds , t he i m pl e m e nt a t i on of C T i n c ur r i c ul a f a c e s t he e q ua l l y i m por t a nt c ha l l e nge of a
l a c k of s uppor t f or t e a c he r s ( S e nt e nc e & C s i z m a di a , 2017) . M os t t e a c he r s a r e not a de qua t e l y
pr e pa r e d t o i m pl e m e nt pr ogr a m m i ng or c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o t he s c hool c ur r i c ul a
( M uga y i t ogl u e t a l ., 2016) w i t h c ha l l e nge s i n s ubj e c t know l e dge or pe da gogi c a l know l e dge ,
i nc l udi ng di f f e r e nt i a t i on t o m e e t di f f e r e nt l e ve l s of a bi l i t y a nd a ppr oa c he s t o t e a c hi ng t opi c s
( S e nt e nc e & C s i z m a di a , 2017) . T e a c he r s a l s o ha ve e x t r i ns i c c ha l l e nge s ( F i nge r & H ougue t ,
2009) . A s t udy c a r r i e d out i n U K i n 2014 s how e d t ha t t e a c he r s e x pe r i e nc e c ha l l e nge s
i nc l udi ng t e c hni c a l a nd c onne c t i vi t y c ha l l e nge s i n t he s c hool s i t e ( S e nt a nc e & C s i z m a di a ,
2017) .
T e a c he r s ’ l i m i t e d know l e dge a bout C T c a n a l s o l e a d t o m i s c onc e pt i ons w i t h pos s i bl e
ne ga t i ve i m pa c t s on t he i r a t t i t ude s of t e a c hi ng C T ( A r m oni , 2011; S e nt e nc e & C s i z m a di a ,
2017) . T hi s m i s c onc e pt i on m i g ht f ur t he r i nf l ue nc e s t ude nt s t o ha ve pe r c e pt i ons t ha t c om put e r
s c i e nc e i s “ bor i ng, f r us t r a t i ng, a nd t oo di f f i c ul t t o m a s t e r ” ( W i l s on & M of f a t , 2010, p.1) .
A l s o, s i nc e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s a r e c onne c t e d t o a w i de va r i e t y of s ki l l s , e duc a t or s
w i t h ve r y l i t t l e know l e dge a bout C T m a y l a c k t he a w a r e ne s s of how t he s e s ki l l s c a n be
i m pl e m e nt e d i n t he i r c l a s s r oom s ( S a nds , Y a da v, & G ood, 2018) . O n t he one ha nd, f or
i ns t a nc e , i f t e a c he r s a s s um e t ha t c om put i ng e x pe r i e nc e s oc c ur onl y w he n s t ude nt s l e a r n
pr ogr a m m i ng l a ngua ge s , t hi s de c r e a s e s t he oppor t uni t y of i nt r oduc i ng C T a t a n e a r l i e r s c hool
a ge ( I s r a e l e t a l ., 2015) . O n t he ot he r ha nd, w i t h w r ong c onc e pt i ons of c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng , a t e a c he r s i m pl y us i ng di g i t a l t ool s , s uc h a s M i c r os of t O f f i c e , m i g ht t hi nk t ha t t he y
a r e e nga gi ng t he i r s t ude nt s i n c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng ( S a nds e t a l ., 2018) . R e s e a r c h s how s
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 27
t ha t t e a c he r a w a r e ne s s a nd c ont e x t a w a r e ne s s a r e ke y a r e a s of i m pr ove m e nt i n f os t e r i ng C T
( B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016) . T e a c hi ng a w a r e ne s s r e f e r s t o t e a c he r s ’ e f f e c t i ve ne s s i n s ubj e c t
know l e dge a nd pe da gogi c a l know l e dge ( S e nt e nc e & C s i z m a di a , 2017) . C ont e xt a w a r e ne s s
i nc l ude s a w a r e ne s s t o a ppr oa c he s , t ool s a dopt e d f or r e a l i z i ng C T i n c ur r i c ul um s s o a s t o
f a c i l i t a t e t he di f f e r e nt i a t i on i n t e a c hi ng, a nd a n i nc l us i ve a ppr oa c h a ddr e s s i ng g e nde r e qui t y
a nd s pe c i a l e duc a t i on ne e ds ( B oc c oni e t a l ., 2016) .
I n t e r m s of t e a c he r s uppor t , hi g h- s t a ke s t e s t i ng c onne c t e d t o s c hool f undi ng ha s be e n
c i t e d a s a ba r r i e r t o t he i m pl e m e nt a t i on of t e a c he r t r a i ni ng ( B e a n e t a l ., 2015) .
S t a nda r ds - dr i ve n K - 12 e duc a t i ona l s y s t e m s m a ke s c hool s bus y w i t h i ni t i a t i ve s f oc us e d on
r a i s i ng s t ude nt a c hi e ve m e nt s c or e s i n m a t h a nd r e a di ng, he nc e l i t t l e t i m e i s i nve s t e d f or
t e a c he r s t o a t t e nd r e l a t e d s e m i na r s a nd w or ks hops t o i m pr ove pe da gogi e s w hi c h a r e di r e c t l y
r e l a t e d t o C S a nd C T l e a r ni ng out c om e s ( N e w m a n e t a l ., 2017) . R e s e a r c h i ndi c a t e s t ha t
t e a c he r s l a r ge l y r e l i e d on g r a s s r oot s c om m uni t i e s a nd onl i ne r e s our c e s t o ups ki l l t he i r
t e a c hi ng i n t he s e a r e a s , m a ny doi ng vol unt a r y w or k t o c r e a t e be t t e r e nvi r onm e nt s f or s t ude nt s
( T hom ps on, B e l l , A ndr e a e , & R obi ns , 2013) . T hus , t he r e i s a c a l l f or pr of e s s i ona l
de ve l opm e nt t o pr ovi de a c c e s s i bl e t r a i ni ng a nd r e s our c e s . W hi l e i nt e r ve nt i ons ha ve he l pe d
de ve l op c ur r i c ul a a nd a ppr oa c he s f or t e a c hi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng a t t he K - 12 l e ve l , t he y
ha ve m a i nl y t a r ge t e d i n- s e r vi c e t e a c he r s w ho a r e t e a c hi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng a nd ha ve
be e n de l i ve r e d a s s uppl e m e nt a l pr ogr a m s ( B e a n e t a l ., 2015) . I t i s unde r s t a nda bl e t ha t due t o
t he f a s t - pa c e d i nt r oduc t i on of C T i nt o K - 12, t he m a i n s our c e of s uppor t t a r ge t e d e x i s t i ng
t e a c he r s ( T hom ps on e t a l ., 2013) . Y e t , f or c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng t o be t r ul y i nt e g r a t e d i nt o
t he K - 12 e duc a t i ona l s y s t e m , pr e - s e r vi c e t e a c he r s ’ ( w ho a r e pr e pa r i ng t o t e a c h or i nt e g r a t e
C T ) t r a i ni ng ne e ds t o be a ddr e s s e d i n t he pr e pa r a t i on of f ut ur e t e a c he r s ( B e a n e t a l ., 2015) .
A s di s c us s e d by V oogt e t a l . ( 2015) , t r a ns f e r of C T s ki l l s doe s not j us t ha ppe n, r a t he r
i t ne e ds t o be a ddr e s s e d e xpl i c i t l y i n t e a c hi ng pr e pa r a t i on. W i t hout g ui da nc e on t he c ogni t i ve
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 28
a s pe c t s of c om put a t i ona l pr a c t i c e s a nd c om put a t i ona l pe r s pe c t i ve s ( G r ove r & P e a , 2013) , t he
pr ogr a m m i ng e x pe r i e nc e m a y be non- e duc a t i ve a s s t ude nt s a r e not a c t i ve l y r e f l e c t i ng on t he i r
e x pe r i e nc e ( L ye & K oh, 2014) . S t udi e s on t e a c hi ng pr a c t i c e s i ndi c a t e t ha t t hr ough pr ope r
t r a i ni ng, t e a c he r s w ho w e r e i ni t i a l l y s ke pt i c a l of i m pl e m e nt i ng c om put i ng c e l e br a t e d t he
va l ue ( C l a r k e t a l ., 2013) a nd a c c e s s i bi l i t y ( L e e , 2011) of c om put e r pr ogr a m s s uc h a s S c r a t c h.
T e a c he r pr e pa r a t i on t o de ve l op c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i s ne c e s s a r y i n t ha t i t c a n
c ont r i but e t o t e a c he r s ’ c onf i de nc e , t he i r s e ns e of i de nt i t y , a nd a n unde r s t a ndi ng of
a c hi e ve m e nt s t a nda r ds ( N i & G uz di a l , 2012; T hom ps on e t a l ., 2013) .
T e ac h e r s ’ K n ow l e d ge , M ot i vat i on an d O r gan i z at i on al I n f l u e n c e s on P e r f or m an c e
T hi s s t udy l e ve r a ge s C l a r k a nd E s t e s ’ ( 2008) g a p a na l y t i c f r a m e w or k t o e va l ua t e
A ngo C odi ng t e a c he r s ’ know l e dge , m ot i va t i on, a nd or g a ni z a t i ona l s uppor t s t o i m pl e m e nt
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o t he i r pr ogr a m m i ng c ur r i c ul a . B e l ow i s a di s c us s i on of a s s um e d
i nf l ue nc e s on t he i r pe r f or m a nc e t ha t w i l l be e x a m i ne d f ur t he r t hr ough t he m e t hodol og y a nd
da t a c ol l e c t e d i n t hi s s t udy . B a s e d on t he f i ndi ng s , s ol ut i ons w i l l be g e ne r a t e d t o a ddr e s s
know l e dge , m ot i va t i on a nd or g a ni z a t i ona l ne e ds t o r e a c h t he or g a ni z a t i ona l pe r f or m a nc e g oa l
of e s t a bl i s hi ng a na t i ona l l y r e c ogni z e d m ode l f or pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on f or s t ude nt s a ge d 5
t o 12 by i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n a l l pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e c ur r i c ul um s .
K n ow l e d ge an d S k i l l s I n f l u e n c e s
A l l s ubj e c t m a t t e r s c ons i s t of s pe c i f i c c ont e nt ( K r a t hw ohl & A nde r s on, 2009) , but
how t hi s c ont e nt i s ut i l i z e d a nd r e - c ons t r uc t e d i s de pe nde nt on t he t e a c he r s i n r e l a t i on t o t he i r
t e a c hi ng obj e c t i ve s a nd i ns t r uc t i ona l a c t i vi t i e s . T he r e f or e , t o e f f e c t i ve l y t e a c h c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s , t e a c he r s not onl y ne e d t o be pr of i c i e nt i n t he s ubj e c t c ont e nt but a l s o i n
t e a c hi ng m e t hodol og y , a s s ubj e c t know l e dge a nd t e a c hi ng pe da gogi e s a r e bot h f unda m e nt a l
know l e dge i n t e a c hi ng c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng ( T hom ps on e t a l ., 2013; S e nt e nc e &
C s i z m a di a , 2017) . I n or de r t o c om pr e he ns i ve l y e x pl or e t e a c he r s ’ know l e dge , t hi s s t udy
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 29
a dopt s a c a t e gor i z a t i on of know l e dge de ve l ope d by A nde r s on a nd K r a t hw ohl ( 2011) , w hi c h
i nc l ude s f a c t ua l know l e dge ( w ha t ) , c onc e pt ua l know l e dge ( w ha t ) , pr oc e dur a l know l e dge
( how ) a nd m e t a c ogni t i ve know l e dg e ( w hy ) . F a c t ua l know l e dge i nc l ude s ba s i c e l e m e nt s , s uc h
a s t e r m i nol og y t e a c he r s m us t know t o be a c qua i nt e d w i t h c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng c onc e pt s .
C onc e pt ua l know l e dge i nc l ude s c l a s s i f i c a t i ons , pr i nc i pl e s , t he or i e s a nd m ode l s c onc e r ni ng
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . F a c t ua l a nd c onc e pt ua l know l e dge c a n be r e f e r r e d t o a s t he “ W ha t ”
of know l e dge . P r oc e dur a l know l e dge r e f e r s t o know l e dge of s ubj e c t - s pe c i f i c s ki l l s ,
a l gor i t hm s a nd m e t hods know l e dge of c r i t e r i a f or de t e r m i ni ng w he n t o us e s ui t a bl e
pr oc e dur e s , w hi c h c a n be r e f e r r e d t o a s t he “ H ow ” of know l e dge . B ot h t he “ W ha t ” a nd t he
“ H ow ” w i l l s e r ve a s c r i t i c a l pr e di c t or s of how s uc c e s s f ul t he t e a c he r s w i l l be i n i m pl e m e nt i ng
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s a nd w i l l t he r e f or e be e x pl or e d i n t hi s s t udy
C on c e p t u al k n ow l e d ge : K n ow l e d ge of t h e c om p u t at i on al t h i n k i n g c on c e p t s . A s
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i s a c om pr e he ns i ve c onc e pt , e duc a t or s m a y l a c k t he c onc e pt ua l
know l e dge of w ha t i t i s a nd, c ons e que nt l y , l a c k a w a r e ne s s of how t he s e s ki l l s c a n be
i m pl e m e nt e d i n t he i r c l a s s r oom s ( S a nds e t a l ., 2018) . A s c onc e pt ua l know l e dge s e r ve s a s t he
bui l di ng bl oc k f or t he c om put e r pr og r a m m i ng c l a s s , i t i s ne c e s s a r y t o e x pl or e w he t he r or how
m uc h t e a c he r s know a bout c onc e pt s of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng , i nc l udi ng c onc e pt s l i ke
a bs t r a c t i on, pa t t e r n g e ne r a l i z a t i on, a l gor i t hm i c t hi nki ng , pr obl e m de c om pos i t i on,
ge ne r a l i z a t i on, pa r a l l e l i z a t i on, a nd s i m ul a t i on ( B a r r & S t e phe ns on, 201 1, G r ove r & P e a , 2013,
S e l by & W o ol l a r d, 2013, A nge l i e t a l ., 2016) .
P r oc e d u r al k n ow l e d ge : K n ow l e d ge of h ow t o i n c or p or at e c om p u t at i on al
t h i n k i n g i n t o s p e c i f i c c om p u t e r p r o gr am m i n g l e s s on p l an s . T e a c he r s w i l l be ne f i t f r om
pr oc e dur a l know l e dge s uc h a s how t o na vi ga t e t he c ur r i c ul um a nd i nc or por a t e c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng i nt o t he l e s s on pl a ns . W i t h t hi s pr oc e dur a l know l e dge , t e a c he r s w i l l be a bl e t o l oc a t e
s pe c i f i c t e a c hi ng a i m s w i t hi n a c om pr e he ns i ve c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng s ki l l - ba s e d
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 30
c ur r i c ul um or c ont e nt . D e e pe r pr oc e dur a l know l e dge , s uc h a s c ode t r a c i ng a nd s c a f f ol di ng ,
w oul d a l s o a s s i s t t he t e a c he r s t o ha ve c l e a r e r l e a r ni ng out c om e s a r ound c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s de ve l opm e nt .
M e t ac ogn i t i ve k n ow l e d ge : K n ow l e d ge of h ow t o r e f l e c t on e f f e c t i ve n e s s i n
i m p l e m e n t i n g t h e t e ac h i n g m e t h od s . A nde r s on a nd K r a t hw ohl ( 2001) s ug ge s t t ha t
m e t a c ogni t i ve know l e dge i s e s s e nt i a l t o bui l di ng e x pe r t i s e a t pe r f or m i ng a t a s k. T e a c he r s
w ho l e a r n how t o r e f l e c t a nd m oni t or t he i r t e a c hi ng a nd s t ude nt pe r f or m a nc e de m ons t r a t e
hi g he r l e ve l s of m e t a c ogni t i on. M e t a c ogni t i on w i l l he l p e nga ge t e a c he r s i n c ont i nuous
i m pr ove m e nt of t he i r pr a c t i c e , w hi c h w i l l ul t i m a t e l y be ne f i t t he i r s t ude nt s . T he m e t a c ogni t i ve
know l e dge c a n i nc l ude t e a c he r s ’ s e l f - m oni t or i ng of t he i r i m pl e m e nt a t i on of C T i n l e s s ons ,
s t r a t e gi e s l i ke c ont e x t ua l i z a t i on, a nd c ol l a bor a t i ve w or ki ng a c t i vi t y ( S e nt e nc e & S s i z m a di a ,
2015) . T a bl e 2 pr e s e nt s t he di f f e r e nt t y p e s of know l e dge i nf l ue nc e s on t e a c he r s t o m e e t t he i r
g oa l of i m pl e m e nt i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng l e s s ons .
T a bl e 2
A s s um e d K now l e dge I nf l ue nc e s
K now l e dge
T y pe
A s s um e d K now l e dge I nf l ue nc e
C onc e pt ua l K now l e dge of t he c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng c onc e pt s i nc l udi ng c onc e pt s l i ke
a bs t r a c t i on, pa t t e r n g e ne r a l i z a t i on, a l gor i t hm i c t hi nki ng , pr obl e m
de c om pos i t i on, g e ne r a l i z a t i on, pa r a l l e l i z a t i on, a nd s i m ul a t i on.
P r oc e dur a l K now l e dge of how t o i nc or por a t e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o s pe c i f i c
c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng l e s s on pl a ns .
M e t a c ogni t i ve K now l e dge of how t o r e f l e c t on t he i r ow n e f f e c t i ve ne s s i n i m pl e m e nt i ng
t e a c hi ng m e t hods t o t he t e a c hi ng a i m s of s pe c i f i c c l a s s .
M ot i vat i on I n f l u e n c e s
A c c or di ng t o R ue da ( 2011) , g a ps i n know l e dge a r e of t e n c ons i de r e d t o be t he c a us e s of
pe r f or m a nc e i s s ue s , y e t a vi a bl e a l t e r na t i ve e x pl a na t i on f or pe r f or m a nc e i s s ue s i s t ha t
i ndi vi dua l s m a y i n f a c t l a c k t he m ot i va t i on or w i l l i ng ne s s t o e x e c ut e t he i r know l e dge .
M ot i va t i on i s de f i ne d a s t he pr oc e s s dur i ng w hi c h g oa l - or i e nt e d a c t i vi t y i s i ni t i a t e d a nd
s us t a i ne d ( P r i nt r i c h, & S c hunk, 1996) , s i nc e m ot i va t i on i ns t i g a t e s be ha vi or a nd i t i s
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 31
e ne r gi z i ng i t , r e s ul t i ng i n pe r s i s t e nc e a nd i nt e ns i t y ( M a y e r , 2011) . M ot i va t i on i s g e ne r a l l y
a i m e d a t a c c om pl i s hi ng a g oa l ( M a y e r , 2011) . T he r e f or e , m ot i va t i on i s a ke y i nf l ue nc e on
pe r f or m a nc e a nd i s i m por t a nt t o e x a m i ne be c a us e i t r e s ul t s i n pe opl e ’ s a t t i t ude s a nd
be ha vi or s t ha t pr e di c t g oa l a t t a i nm e nt ( C l a r k & E s t e s , 2008; R ue da , 2011) .
M ot i va t i on i s i nf l ue nc e d by i nt e r na l f a c t or s s uc h a s hope s a nd e xpe c t a t i ons a s w e l l a s
e x t e r na l f a c t or s s uc h a s s oc i oc ul t ur a l i nf l ue nc e s ( R ue da , 2011) . I n t hi s s e c t i on, t w o s pe c i f i c
i nf l ue nc e s a r e e x a m i ne d f or a be t t e r unde r s t a ndi ng of t e a c he r s ’ m ot i va t i on f or a c hi e vi ng t he i r
g oa l r e l a t e d t o i m pl e m e nt i ng c ur r i c ul um m odul e s i n t he i r l e s s on pl a ns t ha t e m pha s i z e
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s : t e a c he r s ’ a t t a i nm e nt va l ue a nd s e l f - e f f i c a c y . F i r s t , i n or de r f or
t e a c he r s t o e nga ge i n i m pl e m e nt i ng ne w s ki l l s i n t he i r l e s s on pl a ns , t e a c he r s ne e d t o
r e c ogni z e t he i m por t a nc e ( or t he s ubj e c t i ve va l ue ) of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . I f t e a c he r s c a n
de r i ve a s e ns e of va l ue f or i m pl e m e nt i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n t he i r c l a s s e s , t he y
a r e l i ke l y t o e x hi bi t m ot i va t e d be ha vi or s s uc h a s pe r s i s t i ng a t c r e a t i ng a n e f f e c t i ve c ur r i c ul um
a nd i nve s t i ng m e nt a l e f f or t i nt o de t e r m i ni ng t he m os t e f f e c t i ve w a y s t o s uppor t t he
de ve l opm e nt of s t ude nt c om pe t e nc i e s . S e c ond, t e a c he r s ne e d t o be l i e ve t ha t t he y c a n s uc c e e d
a t e f f e c t i ve l y i m pl e m e nt i ng a c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng c ur r i c ul um . I n ot he r w or ds , t he y ne e d
t o ha ve a n a de qua t e l e ve l of s e l f - e f f i c a c y . S e l f - e f f i c a c y i s i ndi vi dua l s ’ j udg m e nt s of t he i r
c a pa bi l i t i e s t o or ga ni z e a nd e x e c ut e t he c our s e of a c t i on r e qui r e d t o a t t a i n c e r t a i n l e ve l s of
pe r f or m a nc e ( B a ndur a , 2000) .
T e ac h e r s ’ val u e f or ad d i n g c om p u t at i on al t h i n k i n g s k i l l s i n t h e i r c om p u t e r
p r ogr am m i n g c ou r s e c u r r i c u l u m t o p r e p ar e t h e s t u d e n t s w i t h 21
s t
c e n t u r y s k i l l s . V a l ue
m e a ns t he i m por t a nc e one pl a c e s on a t a s k by a s ki ng w hy s houl d t he y do t hi s t a s k ( R ue da ,
2011) . T a s k va l ue ha s f our di m e ns i ons : i nt r i ns i c va l ue ( t he de gr e e t o w hi c h one e x pe c t s t o
e nj oy t he t a s k) ; e x t r i ns i c va l ue ( t he de gr e e t o w hi c h t he t a s k i s pe r c e i ve d a s us e f ul a nd
g oa l - a l i gne d) ; a t t a i nm e nt va l ue or ut i l i t y va l ue ( t he e x t e nt t o w hi c h e nga gi ng i n t he t a s k i s
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 32
i m por t a nt f or one ’ s s e l f - i de nt i t y ) ; a nd c os t va l ue ( t he de gr e e t o w hi c h t he be ne f i t s of
e nga gi ng i n t he t a s k out w e i gh t he c os t s ) ( R ue da , 2011) . I n t he c ont e x t of A ngo C odi ng
C om pa ny , t hi s s t udy w i l l e x a m i ne t he e x t r i ns i c a nd a t t a i nm e nt va l ue of t e a c he r s t o e x pl or e
t he i r m ot i va t i on t o i m pl e m e nt c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i n l e s s on pl a ns . S pe c i f i c a l l y , t he s t udy
w i l l e x pl or e w he t he r t e a c he r s pe r c e i ve t he g oa l s of c r e a t i ng a na t i ona l C T c ur r i c ul um m ode l
a nd bui l di ng s t ude nt s w i t h 21
s t
c e nt ur y s ki l l s a s va l ua bl e t o t he m pr of e s s i ona l l y a nd t o t he
s t ude nt s ’ l e a r ni ng, s pe c i f i c a l l y .
T e ac h e r s ’ s e l f - e f f i c ac y f or e f f e c t i ve l y i n t e gr at i n g c u r r i c u l u m w i t h c om p u t at i on al
t h i n k i n g s k i l l s . T e a c he r s ’ pr i or know l e dge r e l a t e d t o c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s , t he
f e e dba c k t he y r e c e i ve f r om t he s t ude nt s , a s w e l l a s t he i r pa s t s uc c e s s e s a nd f a i l ur e s
i nt e r a c t i ve l y pl a y a r ol e i n a f f e c t i ng t e a c he r s ’ s e ns e of s e l f - e f f i c a c y , t he pe r c e pt i on of
w he t he r one i s a bl e t o s uc c e e d a t a t a s k de s pi t e di f f i c ul t i e s ( R ue da , 2011) . P e opl e w i t h hi g he r
s e l f - e f f i c a c y w i l l be m or e m ot i va t e d t o t a ke pa r t i n a c t i vi t i e s a nd pe r s i s t a t w or ki ng t ow a r ds
t he g oa l ( R ue da , 2011) . T he r e f or e , t e a c he r s ’ s e l f - e f f i c a c y be l i e f s i n r e l a t i on t o e f f e c t i ve l y
doi ng t he i r j obs w i l l pl a y a s i g ni f i c a nt r ol e i n w he t he r or not t he y s uc c e e d i n t he g oa l
( B a ndur a , 2000) . T a bl e 3 pr e s e nt s t he a s s um e d m ot i va t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s r e l e va nt i n t he c ont e x t
of e f f e c t i ve l y i m pl e m e nt i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i nt o t he i r l e s s on pl a ns .
T a bl e 3
A s s um e d M ot i v at i on I nf l ue nc e s
M ot i va t i on
C ons t r uc t
A s s um e d M ot i va t i on I n f l ue nc e s
U t i l i t y V a l ue T e a c he r s ne e d t o s e e t he va l ue i n a ddi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n
t he i r c om put e r pr og r a m m i ng c our s e c ur r i c ul um t o pr e pa r e s t ude nt s w i t h
21
s t
c e nt ur y s ki l l s .
S e l f - E f f i c a c y T e a c he r s ne e d t o be l i e ve t he y a r e c a pa bl e of e f f e c t i ve l y i nt e g r a t i ng
c ur r i c ul um w i t h c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s .
O r gan i z at i on al I n f l u e n c e s
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 33
I n a ddi t i on t o know l e dge a nd m ot i va t i on, or ga ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s a r e a l s o ne c e s s a r y
a nd w or t h e x a m i ni ng be c a us e i ns uf f i c i e nt or g a ni z a t i ona l pr oc e s s e s a nd r e s our c e s w i l l c r e a t e
ba r r i e r s t o t he a c hi e ve m e nt of pe r f or m a nc e g oa l s e ve n f or pe opl e w i t h “ t op m ot i va t i ona l a nd
e x c e pt i ona l know l e dge ” ( C l a r k & E s t e s , 2008, p. 103) . O r ga ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e i s e xe r t e d by
t he or ga ni z a t i ona l c ul t ur e , w hi c h, s a m e a s ot he r t y p e of c ul t ur e s , i s “ dy n a m i c a nd c ont i nua l l y
c r e a t e d a nd r e - c r e a t e d i n t he c our s e of da i l y l i f e ” ( R ue da , 2011, p. 55) . T o be t t e r unde r s t a nd
t he or ga ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s ne c e s s a r y f or t he a t t a i nm e nt of s t a ke hol de r g oa l s , t hi s s e c t i on
w i l l e x pl or e t he i m pa c t of l e a de r s hi p, or ga ni z a t i ona l r e s our c e s a nd c ul t ur e i n a c c e pt a nc e a nd
w i l l i ng ne s s f or c ha nge . T he or ga ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s w i l l be e x pl or e d us i ng G a l l i m or e a nd
G ol de nbe r g ’ s ( 2001) c a t e gor i z a t i on of or ga ni z a t i ona l c ul t ur a l m ode l s a nd c ul t ur a l s e t t i ng s .
C ul t ur a l m ode l s a r e m a ni f e s t e d by s ha r e d unde r s t a ndi ng ( G a l l i m or e & G ol de nbe r g, 2001;
R ue da , 2011) ; c ul t ur a l s e t t i ng s e m body m or e obvi ous a nd t a ngi bl e a s pe c t s of t he w or ki ng
e n vi r onm e n t , i nc l u di n g t he or ga n i z a t i o na l “ s t r u c t u r e , pol i c i e s , a nd pr a c t i c e s ” ( R u e d a , 2011 , p.
55; G a l l i m or e & G ol de nbe r g, 2001) .
A c u l t u r e of ac c e p t an c e an d w i l l i n gn e s s am on g t h e t e ac h e r s t o c on t i n u ou s l y u p d at e
t h e i r c ou r s e s t o h e l p s t u d e n t b u i l d 21
s t
c e n t u r y s k i l l s . T o e m br a c e a di f f e r e nt a nd ne w
c ur r i c ul um , t e a c he r s ’ c ol l e c t i ve w i l l i ng ne s s pl a y s a f unda m e nt a l r ol e i n t he pr oc e s s . T he
or ga ni z a t i ona l c ul t ur e i nf l ue nc e s how t e a c he r s w i l l pe r c e i ve t he or ga ni z a t i ona l g oa l t o
e s t a bl i s h a na t i ona l l y r e c ogni z e d m ode l f or pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on f or s t ude nt s a ge d 5 t o 12
a nd t he i r ow n s t a ke hol de r g oa l t o i m pl e m e nt ne w c ur r i c ul um m odul e s i n t he i r l e s s on pl a ns
t ha t e m pha s i z e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s . O r ga ni z a t i ona l c ul t ur e c a n e x e r t he a vy
i nf l ue nc e on t e a c he r s ’ pe r f or m a nc e be c a us e t he e x pe r i e nc e of a t t e m pt i ng t o c ha nge
or ga ni z a t i ona l be ha vi or a nd t hi nki ng c a n be “ ba f f l i ng or f r us t r a t i ng ” ( R ue da , 2011, p.56) ,
t hus r e f or m c oul d e a s i l y g e t i g nor e d or pa r t i a l l y i m pl e m e nt e d. A de e pe r unde r s t a ndi ng of t he
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 34
dy n a m i c s of t he c om pa ny ’ s or ga ni z a t i ona l c ul t ur e m a y he l p de ve l op a nd c ha nne l t e a c he r s ’
be ha vi or s or a t t i t ude s i n a pr oduc t i ve w a y ( R ue da , 2011) .
E f f e c t i ve t r ai n i n g f or t e ac h e r s an d p r op e r l e ad e r s h i p f or s u p p or t . O r ga ni z a t i ona l
r e s our c e s a r e c ons i de r e d a ne c e s s i t y f or e m pl oy e e s t o s uc c e s s f ul l y pe r f or m a t t he i r j obs
( C l a r k & E s t e s , 2008) , a nd or g a ni z a t i ona l l e a r ni ng e nc our a ge d by a c ol l a bor a t i ve c ul t ur e ha s
be e n s how n t o ha ve a s i g ni f i c a nt e f f e c t on or ga ni z a t i ona l pe r f or m a nc e ( P é r e z L ópe z , M ont e s
P e ón, & V á z que z O r d á s , 2004) . T hi s i s pa r t i c ul a r l y t r ue i n t he f i e l d of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
w he r e r e por t e d c ha l l e nge s l i e i n l a c k of s uppor t ( S e nt e nc e & C s i z m a di a , 2017) . S i nc e t he
e x pl i c i t de ve l opm e nt of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i s a ne w i ni t i a t i ve f or A ngo C odi ng
C om pa ny , t e a c he r s m a y ha ve r e l a t i ve l y l i t t l e know l e dge r e l a t e d t o t hi s s ubj e c t . I n or de r t o
c r e a t e a n or ga ni z a t i ona l e nvi r onm e nt f or c ha nge t o t a ke pl a c e , s e ve r a l or ga ni z a t i ona l s uppor t s
ne e d t o be i n pl a c e s o t e a c he r s c a n s uc c e e d i n pe r f or m i ng t he i r j obs . F i r s t , t he r e ne e ds t o be
t r a i ni ng, i nc l udi ng a n i nve s t m e nt i n t e a c hi ng r e s our c e s a nd m a t e r i a l s f r om or ga ni z a t i ons w ho
ha ve a l r e a dy a da pt e d c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o t he i r t e a c hi ng s e t t i ng s . A n i m por t a nt s t e p i n
or ga ni z a t i ona l l e a r ni ng i nvol ve s i nf or m a t i on a c qui s i t i on a nd di s t r i but i on ( H ong, 1999) . O f t e n
a g a p i n know l e dge i s c r e a t e d by f a s t - pa c e d g e ne r a t i on a nd upda t e s of know l e dge w i t h e ve n
“ R out i ne t y p e s of of f i c e s uppl i e s ” ( C l a r k & E s t e s , 2008, p. 105) not a bl e t o c a t c h up w i t h t he
pa c e t he i ndus t r y g e ne r a t e s know l e dge . S e c ond, t r us t w or t hy a nd e x pe r i e nc e d l e a de r s hi p
ne e ds t o be i n pl a c e f or l e a r ni ng a nd t r a i ni ng s uppor t . T hi s t e a m of l e a de r s hi p ne e ds t o ha ve
t r us t f r om t e a c he r s t ha t t he y w i l l f a c i l i t a t e t e a c he r s ’ l e a r ni ng a nd pr ovi de ne e de d s uppor t of
t e a c he r s dur i ng t hi s t r a ns i t i on i n or de r t o he l p t he t e a c he r s m e e t t he i r g oa l . A l s o, t he t e a m of
l e a de r s hi p ne e ds t o e ns ur e e f f e c t i ve t e a c he r t r a i ni ngs t a ke pl a c e i n t he r i ght t i m e s uc h a s
i m m e di a t e l y f ol l ow i ng t he r e c r ui t m e nt pr oc e s s , f or a c c or di ng t o r e s e a r c h, t e a c he r t r a i ni ng
be f or e a c t ua l c l a s s e s ha s be e n i ndi c a t e d a s a n e f f e c t i ve pr oc e s s f or pr e pa r i ng t e a c he r s f or
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng ( B e a n e t a l ., 2015) . T a bl e 4 s how s t he a s s um e d c ul t ur a l m ode l a nd
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 35
c ul t ur a l s e t t i ng i nf l ue nc e s ne e de d t o s uppor t t e a c he r s i n m e e t i ng t he g oa l of i m pl e m e nt i ng
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n t he i r l e s s on pl a ns .
T a bl e 4
A s s um e d O r g ani z at i onal I nf l ue nc e
O r g a ni z a t i ona l
I nf l ue nc e C a t e gor y
A s s um e d O r g a ni z a t i ona l I n f l ue nc e s
C ul t ur a l M ode l 1 T he c om pa ny ne e ds t o c ul t i va t e a c ul t ur e of g e ne r a l a c c e pt a nc e a nd
w i l l i ng ne s s a m ong t he t e a c he r s t o c ont i nuous l y upda t i ng e x i s t i ng
c our s e s .
C ul t ur a l S e t t i ng 1 T he c om pa ny ne e ds t o pr ovi de t r a i ni ng oppor t uni t i e s f or t e a c he r s t o
l e a r n f r om e f f e c t i ve r ol e m ode l s f r om t he i ndus t r y w ho ha ve
i nt e g r a t e d c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i nt o c our s e s .
C ul t ur a l S e t t i ng 2 T he c om pa ny ne e ds t o pr ovi de l e a de r s hi p t ha t i s t r us t e d t o or g a ni z e
a nd s uppor t t e a c he r s dur i ng t he t r a ns i t i on t o ne w m ode l s of
l e a r ni ng.
C on c l u s i on
T hi s c ha pt e r pr ovi de d a vi e w of e x i s t i ng l i t e r a t ur e on how C T i s r e ga r de d a s a 21
s t
c e nt ur y c om pe t e nc e a c r os s t he g l obe bot h i n a nd out s i de of f or m a l K - 12 s c hool s e t t i ng s . I t
w a s f ol l ow e d by di s c us s i ons of f a c t or s t ha t a f f e c t t he l e a r ni ng out c om e s of C T , i nc l udi ng
pr ogr a m m i ng a s a t ool , a s s e s s m e nt , a nd t e a c he r de ve l opm e nt . T he c ha pt e r a l s o pr ovi de d a
di s c us s i on on t he C l a r k a nd E s t e s ( 2008) G a p A na l y t i c F r a m e w or k g ui di ng t hi s r e s e a r c h a nd
t he a s s um e d know l e dge , m ot i va t i on a nd or g a ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s t ha t m a y a f f e c t A ngo
t e a c he r s i n i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o t he i r c ur r i c ul um . T he f ol l ow i ng c ha pt e r
de t a i l s t he m e t hodol og i c a l f r a m e w or k t ha t w a s us e d i n t hi s s t udy t o be t t e r unde r s t a nd t he s e
i nf l ue nc e s on pe r f or m a nc e .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 36
C H A P T E R T H R E E : M E T H O D S
T o a na l y z e s t a ke hol de r s ’ i m pa c t on t he or g a ni z a t i on ’ s g oa l t o be c om e a na t i ona l m ode l
f or c ul t i va t i on of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i n e a r l y s c hool a ge c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng
e duc a t i on, t hi s s t udy w a s f oc us e d on t e a c he r s a s a ke y s t a ke hol de r g r oup. T he f oc us w a s on
t he i r know l e dge a nd m ot i va t i on a nd t he or g a ni z a t i ona l r e s our c e s t he y ne e d t o i m pl e m e nt
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n t he i r c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng l e s s ons . F or t hi s pur pos e , t he
f ol l ow i ng r e s e a r c h que s t i ons g ui de d t he s t udy .
1. W ha t i s t he t e a c he r s ’ know l e dge a nd m ot i va t i on r e l a t e d t o a c hi e vi ng t he g oa l of
i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n a l l pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e c ur r i c ul um a nd
be c om i ng a m ode l f or e a r l y a ge pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on?
2. W ha t i s t he i nt e r a c t i on be t w e e n A ngo C odi ng or g a ni z a t i ona l c ul t ur e a nd c ont e x t a nd
t e a c he r s ’ know l e dge a nd m ot i va t i on?
3. W ha t a r e t he r e c om m e nda t i ons f or or g a ni z a t i ona l pr a c t i c e i n t he a r e a s of know l e dge ,
m ot i va t i on, a nd or g a ni z a t i ona l r e s our c e s ?
Q ua l i t a t i ve a nd qua nt i t a t i ve r e s e a r c h m e t hods w a s us e d i n t hi s s t udy f or da t a c ol l e c t i on
t o f or m a n unde r s t a ndi ng of t he t e a c he r s a s a c or e c ont r i but or t o A ngo ’ s or g a ni z a t i ona l g oa l .
I n t e r vi e w s w e r e a dopt e d t o c om pl e m e nt s ur ve y s i n t e r m s of da t a c ol l e c t i on.
P ar t i c i p at i n g S t ak e h ol d e r s
A t t he t i m e of t he s t udy , A ngo C odi ng ha d 42 l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s e s t a bl i s he d a c r os s C hi na .
T he s ur ve y a nd i nt e r vi e w s w e r e c onduc t e d w i t h t e a c he r s f r om a c r os s l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s
na t i on- w i de t o g e t a c om pr e he ns i ve pi c t ur e of t e a c he r s ’ ne e ds t o t e a c h c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng t hr oughout t he c om pa ny . T he s t a ke hol de r g r oup of f oc us i n t hi s s t udy w a s t he
t e a c he r s a t t he l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s , w hos e know l e dge , m ot i va t i on a nd or g a ni z a t i ona l s uppor t s a r e
i nf or m a t i on r i c h a r e a s f or r e s e a r c h. T he pa r t i c i pa t i ng s t a ke hol de r s c ons i s t e d of a t e a m of
a r ound 70 c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng t e a c he r s . A s c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng t e a c he r s , t he y m i g ht
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 37
ha ve s om e ba s e know l e dge of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng e ve n i f t he y do not know i t e x pl i c i t l y .
F ol l ow i ng t he c om pa ny - w i de s ur ve y , t he r e s e a r c he r c ont a c t e d a l l t e a c he r s w ho, t hr ough t he
s ur ve y , vol unt e e r e d f or t he i nt e r vi e w , a s l ong a s t he y m e t t he s ur ve y a nd i nt e r vi e w c r i t e r i on
a s di s c us s e d be l ow .
I n t e r vi e w an d S am p l i n g C r i t e r i on an d R at i on al e
C r i t e r i on 1. T e a c he r s ne e d t o ha ve t a ught t he c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng c ur r i c ul um f or a t
l e a s t s i x m ont hs . T hi s i s t o s e t a pa r t t e a c he r s w ho ha ve t a ught one f ul l - c y c l e ( 6 m ont hs ) of t he
pr ogr a m a nd, t he r e f or e , ha ve a de pt h of unde r s t a ndi ng of t he c ur r e nt c ur r i c ul um . I n a ddi t i on,
t he c om pa ny ’ s pr oba t i on pe r i od i s s i x m ont hs . F oc us i ng on t e a c he r s w ho ha ve pa s s e d t he
pr oba t i on pe r i od f ur t he r he l ps a ddr e s s t he r e s e a r c h que s t i ons r e ga r di ng t e a c he r s ’ know l e dge ,
m ot i va t i o n, a nd or g a ni z a t i ona l r e s our c e s .
C r i t e r i on 2. T e a c he r s c a n be f ul l - t i m e or pa r t - t i m e a nd s t i l l c ur r e nt l y e m pl oy e d by A ng o
C odi ng .
S u r ve y S am p l i n g R e c r u i t m e n t S t r at e gy an d R at i on al e
S ur ve y s c a n s e r ve a s a m a ni f e s t a t i on of t e a c he r s ’ know l e dg e a nd s ki l l s i n c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng a nd how t he y vi e w t he i r or g a ni z a t i on i n t e r m s of i t s g oa l s , c ul t ur e a nd l e a de r s hi p
s uppor t ( B a r r & S t e phe ns on, 201 1 ) . S i nc e t he s t udy s oug ht t o unde r s t a nd t e a c he r s ’
pe r c e pt i ons a nd c onf i de nc e i n i nt e g r a t i ng C T t o bui l d a m ode l f or pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on, i t
w a s i m por t a nt t o ha ve t he pe r s pe c t i ve s of a br oa d r a nge of t e a c he r s w i t h di ve r s e e duc a t i ona l
ba c kgr ounds a nd w or ki ng e x pe r i e nc e s . T he r e f or e , t e a c he r s f r om l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s a c r os s t he
na t i on w e r e a ppr oa c he d i n a w e c ha t w or kgr oup ( a C hi ne s e s oc i a l m e di a ) t o pa r t i c i pa t e i n t he
s ur ve y w i t h a n i nvi t a t i on. W e c ha t w or kgr oup w a s t he m os t e f f i c i e nt t ool s of c ont a c t i ng
pe opl e f r om t he s a m e c om pa ny . A n i nt r oduc t i on s e nt i n t he w e c ha t g r oup e x pl a i ne d t ha t t he
r e s e a r c h t a r g e t e d t e a c he r s w ho ha d pa s s e d t he pr oba t i on pe r i od, m e a ni ng e x pe r i e nc e of ove r
s i x m ont hs , a nd a s ke d onl y t hos e w ho m e t t ha t c r i t e r i a t o c om pl e t e t he s ur ve y .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 38
S i nc e t he r e s e a r c he r ha d no a c c e s s t o t he c ont a c t i nf or m a t i on of t he t e a c he r s , t he
r e s e a r c he r a ppr oa c he d a n a c qua i nt e d t e a c he r a nd a s ke d f or t he i r he l p t o s e nd t he s ur ve y . T he
s ur ve y i nvi t a t i on w a s s e nt by t he t e a c he r i n t he i r w e c ha t w or k g r oup, w i t h a U R L of t he
onl i ne s ur ve y i n e a r l y O c t obe r 2019. A s t e a c he r s w e r e us ua l l y s c he dul e d f or c l a s s e s on
w e e ke nds , t he s ur ve y w a s di s t r i but e d on a M onda y f or a hi g he r c ha nc e of a n opt i m a l
r e s pons e r a t e . T he s ur ve y w a s a nony m ous t o de c r e a s e c onc e r ns a nd e nc our a ge hone s t
a ns w e r s . I n or de r t o e nc our a ge t e a c he r s t o pa r t i c i pa t e , s m a l l c a s h bonus e s - “ C hi ne s e r e d
e nve l ope s ” w e r e s e nt i n t he w e c ha t g r oup t o dr a w pe opl e ’ s a t t e nt i on t o t he s ur ve y . T hi s
a ppr oa c h c ons i de r e d t he c ont e x t of t he r e s e a r c h w i t h r e l a t i on t o C hi ne s e t r a di t i on a nd onl i ne
s oc i a l i nt e r a c t i on i n C hi na . A bonus of a r e d e nve l ope i s of t e n s e nt out i n w e c ha t g r oups a s a n
i nc e nt i ve f or pe opl e s ’ s uppor t f or a c e r t a i n pur pos e or de e d, i n t hi s c a s e , t he r e que s t t o
pa r t i c i pa t e i n a s ur ve y , a nd pe opl e w ho c l i c ke d t he r e d e nve l ope w oul d c om pl e t e t he s ur ve y
t o r e t ur n t he f a vor .
I n t e r vi e w S am p l i n g R e c r u i t m e n t S t r at e gy an d R at i on al e
T he pur pos e of i nt e r vi e w w a s t o unde r s t a nd t he pe r s pe c t i ve s of t he t e a c he r s on t he i r
know l e dge , m ot i va t i on a nd or g a ni z a t i ona l s uppor t s t o i nc or por a t e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
i nt o t he i r c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng c ur r i c ul um . I n t e r vi e w s a r e a m e a ni ngf ul a nd e f f e c t i ve
pr oc e s s f or unde r s t a ndi ng one ’ s pe r s pe c t i ve on a t opi c ( P a t t on, 2002) . T o s e t t he c r i t e r i a f or
pur pos e f ul s a m pl i ng ( M e r r i a m & T i s de l l , 2016) i n t he i nt e r vi e w pr oc e s s , t e a c hi ng e x pe r i e nc e
( a t l e a s t s i x m ont hs ) a nd e m pl oy a b i l i t y ( c ur r e nt l y e m pl oy e d ) w e r e vi e w e d a s pr i or i t i e s . B a s e d
on t hos e t e a c he r s w ho s t a t e d on t he s ur ve y t ha t t he y w oul d be w i l l i ng t o pa r t i c i pa t e i n a n
i nt e r vi e w , t e a c he r s w e r e c ont a c t e d by t he r e s e a r c he r t o e s t a bl i s h a pr oduc t i ve r e l a t i ons hi p a nd
e na bl e a c onduc i ve e nvi r onm e nt t o c ol l e c t m e a ni ngf ul da t a ( M a x w e l l , 2013) . T he r e s e a r c he r
a dde d t he w e c ha t / phone num be r of t he t w e nt y - t w o t e a c he r s w ho vol unt e e r e d i n t he s ur ve y ,
out of w hi c h ni ne phone num be r s w e r e i nva l i d. F i ve t e a c he r s opt e d out or di d not r e pl y
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 39
f ur t he r . E i g ht t e a c he r s a gr e e d t o pa r t i c i pa t e i n a n onl i ne i nt e r vi e w . O nl i ne i nt e r vi e w s w e r e
c hos e n due t o g e ogr a phi c l i m i t a t i ons . T he e i ght t e a c he r s w e r e f r om s e ve n l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s i n
s e ve n di f f e r e nt c i t i e s .
S i nc e f e a s i bi l i t y of a c c e s s ( M a x w e l l , 2013) m a y be a c ha l l e nge due t o s c he dul i ng, t he
r e s e a r c he r ha d a t i m e f r a m e pr opos a l f or pe opl e t o c hoos e f r om . O nc e t e a c he r s r e pl i e d, t he
r e s e a r c he r w a s a bl e t o a r r a nge t he s c he dul e f or i nt e r vi e w s .
D at a C ol l e c t i on an d I n s t r u m e n t at i on
I n t hi s s t udy , da t a c ol l e c t i on w a s c onduc t e d t hr ough t he i ns t r um e nt s of i nt e r vi e w s a nd a
s ur ve y . T o t e a c h c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng ha s not be e n a s t a t e d pr i or i t y of t he or g a ni z a t i on of
s t udy . I n t e r vi e w s w e r e a dopt e d i n t hi s s t udy t o obt a i n a de e p unde r s t a ndi ng of t he t e a c he r s ’
know l e dge , m ot i va t i on, a nd pe r c e pt i ons a bout or g a ni z a t i ona l c ul t ur e a nd s uppor t t ha t m a y
i m pa c t t he pot e nt i a l i nt e g r a t i on of C T i nt o t he i r c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e s . I n a ddi t i on,
t o g a i n a ddi t i ona l unde r s t a ndi ng of t he br oa de r g r oup of t e a c he r s ’ a t t i t ude s i n t e r m s of
m ot i va t i on t o i nt e g r a t e C T a nd t he i r pe r c e pt i on of t he c om pa ny s uppor t t o do s o, t hi s s t udy
a l s o r e l i e d on a s ur ve y .
S u r ve y
G i ve n t he t e a c he r s ope r a t e f r om l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s na t i onw i de , a s ur ve y t hr oug h a
C hi ne s e s ur ve y t ool c a l l e d W e n J ua n X i ng w a s us e d a nd di s t r i but e d t hr ough w e c ha t ( a
C hi ne s e s oc i a l m e di a ) g r oup, a nd s ur ve y que s t i ons w e r e i n C hi ne s e . A c c or di ng t o C r e s w e l l
a nd C r e s w e l l ( 2017) , s ur ve y s a r e e f f e c t i ve i n a ns w e r i ng de s c r i pt i ve que s t i ons a bout a t t i t ude s
a nd opi ni ons of a c e r t a i n popul a t i on. S i nc e t he pur pos e of t he s t udy w a s t o unde r s t a nd a nd
e va l ua t e t he m ot i va t i on a nd pe r c e pt i ons of t e a c he r s r e ga r di ng i m pl e m e nt i ng C T i n t he i r
c om pa ny , t he s ur ve y i nc l ude d ni ne que s t i ons t o a s s e s s t he a s s um e d know l e dge , m ot i va t i on
a nd or g a ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s a s di s c us s e d i n C ha pt e r 2. T w o i t e m s a t t he be gi nni ng a s ke d
a bout de m ogr a phi c i nf or m a t i on i nc l udi ng g e nde r a nd e duc a t i ona l ba c kgr ound. O ne i t e m a t
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 40
t he e nd a s ke d f or w i l l i ng ne s s t o be i nvi t e d t o pa r t i c i pa t e i n a n i n- pe r s on/ onl i ne i nt e r vi e w .
A m ong t he s e ve n i t e m s r e l a t e d t o K M O , a l l of t he m w e r e f or m a t t e d a s s t a t e m e nt s w i t h a
10- poi nt L i ke r t - t y p e s c a l e f r om s t r ong l y a gr e e t o s t r ong l y di s a gr e e . T he s ur ve y w a s s e nt out
w i t h a n i nvi t a t i on t e x t dr a f t e d i n C hi ne s e , w hi c h i nt r oduc e d t he r e s e a r c h, t he r e s e a r c he r , a nd
i nvi t e d t e a c he r s f or t he s ur ve y . I t w a s m e nt i one d i n t he i nvi t a t i on t ha t t he s ur ve y w oul d be
a nony m ous a nd w oul d t a ke no m or e t ha n f i ve m i nut e s ba s e d on t he pi l ot r e s ul t s . A r e m i nde r
e m a i l w a s not s e nt be c a us e t he s ur ve y w a s a ns w e r e d by m os t pe opl e i n f i ve da y s .
I n t e r vi e w s
T he pr i m a r y da t a c ol l e c t i on m e t hod i n t hi s s t udy w a s i nt e r vi e w s . S e m i - s t r uc t ur e d
i nt e r vi e w s w e r e c onduc t e d onc e pe r pa r t i c i pa nt w i t h e i ght i nt e r vi e w s i n t ot a l . I n t e r vi e w s w e r e
pl a nne d i n a s e m i - s t r uc t ur e d s t y l e ( P a t t on, 2002) s o t ha t e a c h pa r t i c i pa nt w a s a s ke d s i m i l a r
que s t i ons , a l t houg h t he pr obe s di f f e r e d ba s e d on i nt e r vi e w e e r e s pons e s t o e ns ur e no que s t i ons
w e r e m i s unde r s t ood a nd t ha t r e l e va nt , i n- de pt h da t a w e r e c ol l e c t e d t o unde r s t a nd e a c h
a s s um e d i nf l ue nc e on pe r f or m a nc e . T he i nt e r vi e w s w e r e c onduc t e d onl i ne f or t he pur pos e of
c onve ni e nc e , a nd a l l of t he t e a c he r s pr e f e r r e d a udi o ove r vi de o f or pe r s ona l r e a s ons . T he
i nt e r vi e w s w e r e c onduc t e d i n C hi ne s e , a nd a l l pr ot oc ol s w e r e t r a ns l a t e d f r om C hi ne s e t o
E ngl i s h f or t he pur pos e of da t a a na l y s e s a nd pr e s e nt a t i on. Q ue s t i on t y p e s i nc l ude d e x pe r i e nc e
que s t i ons , opi ni on a nd va l ue que s t i ons , f e e l i ng que s t i ons a nd ba c kgr ound que s t i ons ( P a t t on,
2002) . T hi s w a s i nt e nde d t o f or m a hol i s t i c pi c t ur e f or a be t t e r unde r s t a ndi ng a bout t e a c he r s ’
e x pe r i e nc e s , opi ni ons , va l ue s , a nd f e e l i ng s a bout i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s
a nd t he or g a ni z a t i ona l c ul t ur e a nd s uppor t s ne e de d.
D at a A n al ys i s
T hi s s t udy a dopt e d a g a p a na l y s i s m ode l by C l a r k a nd E s t e s ( 2008) t o e x a m i ne a s s um e d
know l e dge , m ot i va t i on, a nd or g a ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s on t e a c he r s i nc l udi ng c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n t he i r pr ogr a m i ng c our s e c ur r i c ul um s . F or i nt e r vi e w s , da t a a na l y s i s w a s
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 41
c a r r i e d out s i m ul t a ne ous l y w i t h t he da t a c ol l e c t i on s t a ge a s “ da t a i s be i ng c ont i nuous l y
di s c ove r e d a nd a dj us t m e nt ne e d t o be m a de t o t he pr ot oc ol s a nd i ns t r um e nt s ” ( M e r r i a m &
T i s de l l , 2016, p. 140) . I n t hi s s t udy , r udi m e nt a r y a na l y s i s w a s c a r r i e d out dur i ng a nd be t w e e n
t he pr oc e s s of da t a c ol l e c t i on a c t i vi t i e s . S pe c i f i c a l l y , dur i ng onl i ne i nt e r vi e w s , t he r e s e a r c he r
doc um e nt e d t houg ht s , c onc e r ns , a nd i ni t i a l i ns i g ht s a bout t he da t a i n r e l a t i on t o t he
c onc e pt ua l f r a m e w or k a nd r e s e a r c h que s t i ons . A f t e r e a c h i nt e r vi e w , t he r e s e a r c he r w r ot e
a na l y t i c m e m os t o r e c ol l e c t t he de t a i l s . D ur i ng i nt e r va l s of i nt e r vi e w s , i nt e r vi e w s w e r e
t r a ns c r i be d t o g e ne r a t e e m pi r i c a l c ode s i n a l i g nm e nt w i t h t he c onc e pt ua l f r a m e w or k of
t e a c he r s ’ know l e dge , m ot i va t i on a nd or g a ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s . N e x t , e m pi r i c a l a nd a pr i or i
c ode s w e r e s um m a r i z e d i nt o a x i a l c ode s . F i na l l y , t he s e w e r e m a t c he d w i t h t he c onc e pt ua l
f r a m e w or k a nd s t udy que s t i ons t o i de nt i f y pa t t e r ns a nd g e ne r a t e pa t t e r n c ode s a nd t he m e s .
F or s ur ve y da t a , qua nt i t a t i ve da t a w e r e c ol l e c t e d a nd r e por t e d i n a s t a nda r di z e d m a nne r .
T he s t a t i s t i c a l a na l y s e s w e r e c onduc t e d w i t h W e n J ua n X i ng , a s t a t i s t i c a l s of t w a r e , onc e
onl i ne s ur ve y s w e r e c om pl e t e d. F r e que nc i e s of t he r e s pons e s t o e a c h que s t i on w e r e
c a l c ul a t e d, a nd t he r e s ul t s ba s e d on a l l r e s pons e s pr e s e nt e d i n t a bl e s or c ha r t s . M e a ns a nd
s t a nda r d de vi a t i ons w e r e e x a m i ne d t o i de nt i f y a ve r a ge l e ve l s of r e s pons e s . C om pl e t e ne s s a nd
a c c ur a c y w e r e c he c ke d. T he r e w a s no i nc om pl e t e da t a .
V a l i d i t y an d R e l i ab i l i t y
V a l i di t y a nd r e l i a bi l i t y a r e f ounda t i on f or t hi s s t udy a s r e s e a r c h m us t be c onduc t e d i n a
r i gor ous w a y t o be t r us t w or t hy ( M e r r i a m & T i s de l l , 2015) . V a l i di t y m e a ns t ha t t he t a r g e t e d
r e s e a r c h obj e c t i s m e a s ur e d by a dopt e d r e s e a r c h i ns t r um e nt s ; a nd r e l i a bi l i t y m e a ns c ons i s t e nt
r e s ul t s c a n be m e a s ur e d a nd g e ne r a t e d us i ng t he a dopt e d r e s e a r c h i ns t r um e nt s ( S a l ki nd,
2016) . T hi s r e s e a r c h w a s c onduc t e d i n a c c or da nc e w i t h a c a de m i c r e qui r e m e nt s t o e ns ur e
va l i di t y a nd r e l i a bi l i t y . T he s ur ve y i t e m s w e r e c r e a t e d by f ol l ow i ng t he g ui da nc e on
de ve l opi n g s ur ve y que s t i ons f r om D e s i gni ng Q ua l i t y S ur ve y Q ue s t i ons ( R obi ns on & L e ona r d ,
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 42
2018) . A l l of t he i t e m s w e r e r e vi e w e d by a di s s e r t a t i on c ha i r a nd c om m i t t e e m e m be r s . P i l ot
t e s t s of t he s ur ve y w e r e c a r r i e d out a m ong c l a s s m a t e s a nd a f e w t e a c he r s i n A ngo c om pa ny ,
a nd a dj us t m e nt s w e r e m a de t o i nc r e a s e va l i di t y . I n t e r m s of r e l i a bi l i t y , m ul t i pl e i t e m s i n t he
s ur ve y w e r e de s i g ne d t o m e a s ur e e a c h a s s um e d i nf l ue nc e , w i t h w or ds c a r e f ul l y phr a s e d,
t r a n s l a t e d a n d r e vi e w e d by a di s s e r t a t i on c h a i r a n d c o m m i t t e e m e m be r s t o e n s ur e c o ns i s t e nc y .
P i l ot t e s t w e r e c onduc t e d t o m a ke s ur e t r a ns l a t i on w e r e not m i s l e a di ng t o pa r t i c i pa nt s ’
unde r s t a ndi ng.
C r e d i b i l i t y an d T r u s t w or t h i n e s s
Q ua l i t a t i ve s t udi e s c a n ha ve a n i m pa c t not onl y on t he r e s e a r c h pr obl e m but a l s o on t he
pa r t i c i pa nt s a nd t hos e r e l a t e d t o t hi s pr obl e m ( M e r r i a m & T i s de l l , 2016) . T he r e f or e , t he r e i s a
ne e d t o a ddr e s s c r e di bi l i t y a nd t r us t w or t hi ne s s of t hi s s t udy . M a i n s t r a t e gi e s us e d i n t hi s s t udy
t o e ns ur e c r e di bi l i t y i nc l ude d de t a i l e d not e - t a ki ng, i nt e r vi e w t r a ns c r i pt i on, a nd m e m be r
c he c ki ng . F or e xa m pl e , a f t e r t he da t a c ol l e c t i on, t o a ddr e s s pot e nt i a l m i s i nt e r pr e t a t i ons ,
m e m be r - c he c ks w i t h t he pa r t i c i pa nt s w e r e done a s a s e l f - a udi t i ng pr oc e s s . A s s om e one
c l os e l y r e l a t e d t o a n i nve s t or of t he c om pa ny , t he r e s e a r c he r c oul d pot e nt i a l l y f a l l i nt o t he
e x pl oi t e r s ’ t r a p ( G l e s ne , 201 1 ) , w i t h t he e m pl oy e e s unw i l l i ng t o r e s pond t o t he s t udy i n a
na t ur a l a nd non- m a ni pul a t i ve w a y . I n or de r t o m i ni m i z e t he pot e nt i a l f or t he pa r t i c i pa nt s t o
f e e l c oe r c e d or pr e s s ur e d t o pa r t i c i pa t e , t he r e s e a r c he r c l e a r l y s t a t e d t ha t t hi s s t udy w a s be i ng
c onduc t e d a s pa r t of a doc t or a l de gr e e pr ogr a m a t t he U ni ve r s i t y of S out he r n C a l i f or ni a a nd
t he r e s e a r c he r ’ s i nt e r e s t i n t he s ubj e c t w a s pr of e s s i ona l . T o a m e l i or a t e a s s um pt i ons a nd bi a s e s
a s a r e s e a r c he r , ( M e r r i a m & T i s de l l , 2016) , t he r e s e a r c he r w a s r e f l e c t i ve a nd t r a ns pa r e nt of
he r ow n g oi ng- i n a s s um pt i ons a nd bi a s e s a nd s t a y e d obj e c t i ve t o t he t r a ns c r i pt s of t he
r e c or di ngs t o a voi d de l i be r a t e or s ubc ons c i ous m a ni pul a t i on w i t h da t a a nd t o pa y s pe c i a l
a t t e nt i on t o t he e f f e c t of bi a s i n t hi s s t udy .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 43
E t h i c s
I s s ue s of c r e di bi l i t y a r e e s t a bl i s he d by a r e s e a r c he r ’ s “ r i gor ous t hi nki ng ” ( M e r r i a m &
T i s de l l , 2016, p.260) . T he s a m e i s t r ue w i t h e t hi c s . E t hi c a l c onc e r ns a r e i nhe r e nt i n a l l
r e s e a r c h a nd t hi s s t udy , a s be ne f i t s f r om r e s e a r c h a r e a l w a y s a c c om pa ni e d by r i s ks ( M e r r i a m
& T i s de l l , 2016) . T o e ns ur e e t hi c a l c ons i de r a t i ons w e r e e m be dde d i n t hi s s t udy , t he
r e s e a r c he r c om pl i e d w i t h t he r i gor ous r ul e s a nd di s c i pl i ne s of qua l i t a t i ve a nd qua nt i t a t i ve
s t udi e s . T he r e s e a r c he r w a s i n c l os e r e l a t i on w i t h one i nve s t or of a br a nc h l e a r ni ng c e nt e r a nd
w a s c ons c i ous of t he be ne f i t s a nd r i s ks ( s i t ua t i ona l a nd r e l a t i ona l ) i n t he pr oc e s s ( M e r r i a m &
T i s de l l , 2016) . T he r e s e a r c he r s t a y e d a l e r t t o he r ow n va l ue s a nd e t hi c s i n c onduc i ng t hi s
w or k. T he r e s e a r c he r di d not e nga ge i n a ny f or m i n t he m a na ge m e nt of t he l e a r ni ng c e nt e r
a nd w a s ope n t o t he e m pl oy e e s a bout t hi s r e l a t i ons hi p t o e ns ur e hone s t y a nd t o m a ke t he m
f e e l l e s s c oe r c e d.
P a r t i c i pa nt s ne e de d t o ha ve s uf f i c i e nt i nf or m a t i on t o m a ke i nf or m e d de c i s i ons ( G l e s ne ,
201 1 ) a bout pa r t i c i pa t i ng i n t hi s s t udy . B e f or e t he da t a c ol l e c t i on s t a g e , t he r e s e a r c he r m a de
s ur e t ha t t e a c he r s w e r e s uppl i e d w i t h e nough i nf or m a t i on t o m a ke a n i nf or m e d de c i s i on a bout
w he t he r or not t o pa r t i c i pa t e . T he i nf or m a t i on di s t r i but i on w a s done t hr oug h t e l e phone a nd
w e c ha t c a l l s . I n a ddi t i on, i n t e r m s of r e c i pr oc i t y ( M e r r i a m & T i s de l l , 2016) , a f t e r t he s t udy
w a s c om pl e t e d, t he pa r t i c i pa nt s w e r e a s ke d w he t he r t he y w oul d l i ke t o r e c e i ve m or e
i nf or m a t i on a bout c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng w i t h doc um e nt s t ha t w e r e c ol l e c t e d by t he
r e s e a r c he r . L a s t l y , pa r t i c i pa nt s w e r e i nf or m e d a bout c onf i de nt i a l i t y a nd r i s k a s s e s s m e nt
( M e r r i a m & T i s de l l , 2016) . P a r t i c i pa nt s w e r e t ol d t ha t a ) t he di s c us s i ons w oul d be ke pt
c onf i de nt i a l a nd no i de nt i f y i ng i nf or m a t i on w oul d be c ol l e c t e d or r e por t e d t hr oug h t hi s
r e s e a r c h ( M e r r i a m & T i s de l l , 2016) ; b) t he y c oul d w i t hdr a w a l a t a ny poi nt w i t h no pe na l t y i n
a ny s hor t - t e r m or l ong - t e r m f or m ( G l e s ne , 201 1 ; M e r r i a m & T i s de l l , 2016) ; c ) t he da t a
c ol l e c t i on w oul d be c a r r i e d out i n t he f or m s of i nt e r vi e w s , w i t h t he i nt e r vi e w s ne e di ng a
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 44
s e pa r a t e r e c or di ng pe r m i s s i on ( M e r r i a m & T i s de l l , 2016) ; d) t he i nve s t i g a t or ha d r e c e i ve d
a ppr ova l f r om U S C I R B t o c onduc t t hi s r e s e a r c h; a nd e ) t he da t a w oul d be pa s s w or d
pr ot e c t e d a nd s t or e d f or t he r e s e a r c he r ’ s pe r s ona l vi e w i ng a nd r e f e r e nc e , a nd i t w oul d not be
f or bus i ne s s us e .
L i m i t at i on s an d D e l i m i t at i on s
A s w i t h a ny r e s e a r c h s t udy , l i m i t a t i ons a nd de l i m i t a t i ons e x i s t w i t hi n t he pr oj e c t . T he
di f f e r e nc e be t w e e n t he s e t w o l i e s i n w he t he r t he r e s e a r c he r ha s c ont r ol ove r e l e m e nt s w i t hi n
a s t udy , i nc l udi ng m e t hod, de s i gn, a nd a ppr oa c h ( N e nt y & N e nt y , 2009) . L i m i t a t i ons a r e , f or
t he m os t pa r t , c ons t r uc t s out s i de of t he r e s e a r c he r ’ s c ont r ol . T hi s i nc l ude s how t he
i nt e r vi e w e e s r e s ponde d t o t he que s t i ons pr e s e nt e d a nd t he t r ut hf ul ne s s i n t he i r r e s pons e s .
T hi s l i m i t a t i on w a s pa r t i a l l y a ddr e s s e d by a s s ur i ng c onf i de nt i a l i t y i n da t a c ol l e c t i ng a nd
c onduc t i ng m e m be r c he c ks . A not he r l i m i t a t i on i s t ha t due t o t he f i na nc i a l r e l a t i ons t he
r e s e a r c h e r ha s w i t h t w o of t he l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s , t he r e i s a c ha nc e f or pa r t i c i pa nt s t o know t ha t
t he r e s e a r c h e r i s r e l a t e d t o a n i nve s t or of t he c om pa ny , w hi c h c oul d i nf l ue nc e t he i r r e s pons e s .
D e l i m i t a t i ons , on t he ot he r ha nd, w e r e ba s e d on i nt e nt i ona l c hoi c e s t he r e s e a r c he r m a de ,
m e a ni ng t ha t t he y w e r e e l e m e nt s w i t hi n t he r e s e a r c h s t udy ove r w hi c h t he r e s e a r c he r ha d
c ont r ol . F or e x a m pl e , a de l i m i t a t i on m a y be t he l i m i t e d num be r of i nt e r vi e w s c onduc t e d.
T he s e w e r e c hoi c e s m a de by t he r e s e a r c he r ba s e d on t i m e a nd r e s our c e c ons t r a i nt s of t he
s t udy . A not he r l i m i t a t i on w a s t he r e s e a r c he r ’ s r e l a t i ons hi p w i t h t he l e a r ni ng c e nt e r . A s t he
r e s e a r c he r w a s i n c l os e r e l a t i on w i t h one of t he i nve s t or s of t he l e a r ni ng c e nt e r , t e a c he r s m a y
ha ve w i t hhe l d s om e opi ni ons or f e e l i ng s dur i ng t he pr oc e s s e s . H one s t y f r om t he pa r t i c i pa nt s
m a y , t he r e f or e , be a m a t t e r of c onc e r n. D e l i m i t a t i ons i n t hi s s t udy m a y a l s o be e ns ue d by t he
r e s e a r c h m e t hod, f or e xa m pl e , t he r e s e a r c he r ’ s c hoi c e of que s t i ons t o e x pl or e f or e a c h of t he
i nf l ue nc e s on t e a c he r pe r f or m a nc e . I n a ddi t i on, s i nc e t hi s s t udy e nga ge d onl y e i ght
pa r t i c i pa nt s f or i nt e r vi e w s , da t a m a y be l i m i t e d by onl y e x pl or i ng a s m a l l num be r of
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 45
pa r t i c i pa nt s . F i na l l y , due t o t he di f f e r e nc e i n c ont e x t , t he r e s ul t s of t hi s s t udy m i g ht i nf or m
t he i nf l ue nc e s w i t hi n A ngo C odi ng c om pa ny a t t hi s s t a ge w i t h t hi s popul a t i on, but t he y m a y
not be a ppl i e d t o a di f f e r e nt s e t t i ng .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 46
C H A P T E R F O U R : R E S U L T S A N D F I N D I N G
T hi s c ha pt e r r e por t s t he r e s ul t s a nd f i ndi ng s ba s e d on da t a c ol l e c t e d t o e va l ua t e t he
know l e dge , m ot i va t i on a nd or ga ni z a t i ona l f a c t or s i nf l ue nc i ng t he t e a c hi ng of c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng ( C T ) i n A ngo C odi ng L e a r ni ng C e nt e r s . T he da t a w e r e g a t he r e d t hr ough s ur ve y a nd
i nt e r vi e w s w i t h t e a c he r s f r om m ul t i pl e l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s i n C hi na . A s s um e d i nf l ue nc e s on t he
t e a c hi ng of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng w e r e e x a m i ne d dur i ng t he da t a a na l y s i s pr oc e s s f or
va l i da t i on. B a s e d on t he a na l y s i s a nd r e s ul t s , r e c om m e nda t i ons w i l l be of f e r e d i n C ha pt e r 5
t o a ddr e s s know l e dge , m ot i va t i on a nd or ga ni z a t i ona l ne e ds t o r e a c h t he or ga ni z a t i ona l
pe r f or m a nc e g oa l of ha vi ng a na t i ona l l y r e c ogni z e d c ur r i c ul um m ode l f or pr ogr a m m i ng
e duc a t i on f or s t ude nt s a ge d 5 t o 12 by i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n a l l
pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e c ur r i c ul um . A s s uc h, t he s t udy i s g ui de d by t he f ol l ow i ng r e s e a r c h
que s t i ons :
1. W ha t i s t he t e a c he r ’ s know l e dge a nd m ot i va t i on t o i nt e g r a t e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
s ki l l s i n e a r l y s c hool a g e c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng l e s s ons ?
2. H ow doe s t he or g a ni z a t i ona l c ul t ur e a nd c ont e x t of A ngo C odi ng C om pa ny f a c i l i t a t e
t e a c he r s ’ know l e dge a nd m ot i va t i on?
3. W ha t a r e t he r e c om m e nda t i ons f or or ga ni z a t i ona l pr a c t i c e i n t he a r e a s of know l e dge ,
m ot i va t i on, a nd or ga ni z a t i ona l r e s our c e s ?
P ar t i c i p at i n g S t ak e h ol d e r s
T hi s s t udy f oc us e d on t he t e a c he r s a s t he s t a ke hol de r g r oup f or t he i r unde r s t a ndi ng a nd
s uppor t w oul d he l p t he c om pa ny r e a c h i t s g oa l of i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s
i n a na t i ona l l y r e c ogni z e d pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e c ur r i c ul um . A l t og e t he r , 74 t e a c he r s f r om 42
l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s w e r e a ppr oa c he d t o pa r t i c i pa t e i n a n onl i ne s ur ve y , a m ong w hi c h 61
c om pl e t e d t he s ur ve y . A n i nvi t a t i on f or vol unt e e r s t o c onduc t a phone i nt e r vi e w w a s pl a c e d
a s t he l a s t que s t i on i n t he s ur ve y . T w e nt y - t w o t e a c he r s r e pl i e d t o t he l a s t que s t i on
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 47
vol unt e e r i ng f or a n i nt e r vi e w . A l l of t he m w e r e c ont a c t e d w i t h e i ght ul t i m a t e l y a gr e e i ng t o
pa r t i c i pa t e i n onl i ne i nt e r vi e w s . A l l t e a c he r s w ho c om pl e t e d t he s ur ve y a nd t he i nt e r vi e w s
w e r e f ul l - t i m e t e a c he r s a t A ng o.
S u r ve y P ar t i c i p an t s
T he da t a f or t hi s s t udy w e r e c ol l e c t e d f r om 61 r e s pons e s t o a s ur ve y s e nt t o 74 t e a c he r s
t hr ough a t e a c hi ng m a na ge r us i ng s oc i a l m e di a s of t w a r e ( W e c ha t g r oup) . T he t e a c hi ng
m a na ge r w a s i nt r oduc e d t o t he r e s e a r c he r t hr ough a t e a c he r i n S ha ng ha i ’ s l e a r ni ng c e nt e r a nd
he l pe d t o di s t r i but e t he s ur ve y . D a t a w e r e c ol l e c t e d w i t hi n f i ve da y s . S i xt y - s i x pe r c e nt of t he
s ur ve y pa r t i c i pa nt s w e r e m a l e a nd 34% f e m a l e . A ddi t i ona l de s c r i pt i ve i nf or m a t i on of t hos e
pa r t i c i pa nt s i s l i s t e d i n t he T a bl e 5.
T a bl e 5
D e s c r i pt i v e St at i s t i c s of Sur v e y P ar t i c i pant s ( N = 61)
L e ve l of e d u c at i on F i e l d of s t u d y
B a c he l or ’ s de gr e e 65.5% C om put e r r e l a t e d 29.5%
T hr e e - y e a r c ol l e ge 29.5% E duc a t i on r e l a t e d 21.3%
M a s t e r ’ s de g r e e 4.9% O t he r s 21.3%
D oc t or a t e de gr e e 0% S c i e nc e r e l a t e d 14.7%
O t he r s 0% M a t h r e l a t e d 4.9%
I n t e r vi e w P ar t i c i p an t s
F r om t he onl i ne s ur ve y , 22 t e a c he r s r e s ponde d w i t h a n i nt e r e s t i n pa r t i c i pa t i ng i n t he
i nt e r vi e w . O f t hos e , 18 w e r e a ppr oa c he d a nd ul t i m a t e l y e i ght i nt e r vi e w s w e r e a r r a nge d; t he
ot he r t e n t e a c he r s e i t he r r e j e c t e d t he i nt e r vi e w or c oul d not be c ont a c t e d a f t e r t he i ni t i a l
a ppr oa c h. T he i nt e r vi e w pa r t i c i pa nt s s how e d pr e f e r e nc e f or a n onl i ne i nt e r vi e w f or
g e ogr a phi c a nd t i m e e f f i c i e nc y r e a s ons , s o a l l e i g ht i nt e r vi e w s w e r e c onduc t e d onl i ne . A l l
i nt e r vi e w pa r t i c i pa nt s w e r e f ul l - t i m e e m pl oy e e s a nd ha d t e a c hi ng e x pe r i e nc e i n t he c odi ng
c our s e f r om s i x m ont hs t o one a nd one - ha l f y e a r s a t A ngo c om pa ny . E x c e pt f or one t e a c he r ,
t he ot he r s a l l ha d a n e duc a t i on ba c kgr ound i n e duc a t i on, s c i e nc e or c om put e r r e l a t e d f i e l ds .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 48
T a bl e 6 s how s t he e duc a t i ona l ba c kgr ound of t he i nt e r vi e w pa r t i c i pa nt s , i nc l udi ng t he i r f i e l d
of s t udy a nd l e ve l of e duc a t i on. F or t he c ons i de r a t i on of r e f e r e nc e a nd a nony m i t y , t he e i g ht
pa r t i c i pa nt s w e r e a ddr e s s e d a s T 1- T 8. T he i r y e a r s of e xpe r i e nc e t e a c hi ng c om put e r
pr ogr a m m i ng t o ki ds a r e a l l w i t hi n 3 y e a r s .
T a bl e 6
D e s c r i pt i v e St at i s t i c s of I nt e r v i e w P ar t i c i pant s ( N = 8)
E d u c at i on B ac k gr ou n d
T e ac h e r s G e n d e r F i e l d of s t u d y L e ve l of e d u c at i on
T 1 M a l e E duc a t i on r e l a t e d B a c he l or ’ s de gr e e
T 2 f e m a l e C om put e r r e l a t e d B a c he l or ’ s de gr e e
T 3 f e m a l e E duc a t i on r e l a t e d B a c he l or ’ s de gr e e
T 4 M a l e S c i e nc e r e l a t e d B a c he l or ’ s de gr e e
T 5 M a l e C om put e r r e l a t e d B a c he l or ’ s de gr e e
T 6 f e m a l e S c i e nc e r e l a t e d B a c he l or ’ s de gr e e
T 7 M a l e O t he r s B a c he l or ’ s de gr e e
T 8 f e m a l e E duc a t i on r e l a t e d B a c he l or ’ s de gr e e
I n t he s e c t i on be l ow , r e s ul t s a nd f i ndi ng s a r e di s c us s e d w i t h t he m e s g e ne r a t e d f r om t he
da t a i n c a t e gor i e s of know l e dge , m ot i va t i on a nd or ga ni z a t i ona l ne e ds f or t e a c he r s t o r e a c h
t he i r pe r f or m a nc e g oa l of i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n a l l pr og r a m m i ng
c our s e c ur r i c ul um . B a s e d on t he da t a a na l y s i s , t he t e a c he r s w e r e de t e r m i ne d t o ha ve e i t he r
c ont i nui ng ne e ds or c ur r e nt a s s e t s f or e a c h a r e a of know l e dg e , m ot i va t i on, a nd or ga ni z a t i ona l
r e s our c e s . A know l e dg e , m ot i va t i on, or or ga ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e w a s c l a s s i f i e d a s a
c ont i nui ng ne e d i f t he da t a s ug ge s t e d 75% of t he t e a c he r s ne e de d a ddi t i ona l know l e dge ,
m ot i va t i on or or ga ni z a t i ona l r e s our c e s t o i nc or por a t e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i nt o t he i r
c our s e s . A c ur r e nt a s s e t w a s de t e r m i ne d i f 75% of t he t e a c he r s de m ons t r a t e d t he ne e de d
know l e dge , m ot i va t i on, or or ga ni z a t i ona l r e s our c e s t o i nc or por a t e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
s ki l l s i n t he i r c our s e s . I t i s t he c ont i nui ng ne e ds t ha t w i l l be m e t w i t h r e c om m e nda t i ons t o
i m pr ove pr a c t i c e i n C ha pt e r 5.
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 49
R e s u l t s an d F i n d i n gs f or K n ow l e d ge an d S k i l l s I n f l u e n c e s
I n e x pl or i ng know l e dge i nf l ue nc e s on pe r f or m a nc e , t hi s s t udy f oc us e d on t hr e e t y p e s of
know l e dge : c onc e pt ua l , pr oc e dur a l , a nd m e t a c ogni t i ve . C onc e pt ua l know l e dge i nc l ude s
unde r s t a ndi ng c onc e pt s , i n t hi s c a s e , c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s uc h a s a bs t r a c t i on, pa t t e r n
g e ne r a l i z a t i on, a l gor i t hm i c t hi nki ng , pr obl e m de c om pos i t i on, de buggi ng, pa r a l l e l i z a t i on,
s i m ul a t i on a nd pr obl e m s ol vi ng ( i nc l udi ng qua l i t i e s s uc h a s c onf i de nc e , pe r s e ve r i ng,
c ol l a bor a t i ng , a nd c r e a t i vi t y ) . P r oc e dur a l know l e dge i nvol ve s w he t he r t e a c he r s ha d t he
a bi l i t y t o i nt e g r a t e ne w s ki l l s , s uc h a s c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s , i n t he i r l e s s on pl a ns a nd
a c t ua l t e a c hi ng. M e t a c ogni t i ve know l e dge f oc us e s on t e a c he r s ’ a w a r e ne s s of t he m s e l ve s
t e a c hi ng c om put a t i ona l ( or s i m i l a r ) t hi nki ng s ki l l s . I n t e r vi e w s w e r e us e d t o unde r s t a nd t he
c onc e pt ua l , pr oc e dur a l , a nd m e t a - c ogni t i ve know l e dg e t he t e a c he r s ha ve . H e nc e , t hi s s e c t i on
ha s no s ur ve y da t a pr e s e nt e d. I nt e r vi e w s w i t h e a c h of t he e i ght pa r t i c i pa nt s l a s t e d f or 40
m i nut e s on a ve r a ge , w i t h t he l ong e s t i nt e r vi e w be i ng 1 hour a nd 20 m i nut e s . E a c h i nt e r vi e w
w a s r e c or de d a nd t r a ns c r i be d w i t h pe r m i s s i on. T he r e s pons e s f r om t he i nt e r vi e w s w e r e t he n
or ga ni z e d i nt o c a t e gor i e s i n a c c or da nc e w i t h t he t hr e e a s s um e d know l e dge i nf l ue nc e s . F our
m a j or t he m e s w e r e i de nt i f i e d a s s um m a r i z e d be l ow i n T a bl e 7, w i t h t w o be i ng c ont i nui ng
ne e ds a nd t w o c ur r e nt a s s e t s . P a r t i c i pa nt s ’ quot e s w e r e t r a ns l a t e d by t he r e s e a r c he r t o pr e s e nt
de t a i l e d da t a i n r e l a t i on t o t he t he m e s .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 50
T a bl e 7
A s s um e d K now l e dge I nf l ue nc e s , T he m e s G e ne r at e d T hr o ugh D at a, and V al i dat i on
A s s u m e d K n ow l e d ge
I n f l u e n c e
T h e m e s C on t i n u i n g
N e e d
C u r r e n t
A s s e t
K now l e dge of t he
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
c onc e pt s .
T e a c he r s ha ve a w a r e ne s s of
r e l a t e d s ki l l s s e t s
T e a c he r s s how ba s i c , not
s y s t e m a t i c , unde r s t a ndi ng of
C T c onc e pt s
X
X
K now l e dge of how t o
i nc or por a t e c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng i nt o l e s s on pl a ns .
T e a c he r s l a c k i n- de pt h
unde r s t a ndi ng of pe da gogy
X
K now l e dge of how t o r e f l e c t on
t he i r ow n e f f e c t i ve ne s s i n
i m pl e m e nt i ng t e a c hi ng
m e t hods .
T e a c he r s de m ons t r a t e e f f or t s
t o r e f l e c t on t e a c hi ng
X
T e ac h e r s H ave A w a r e n e s s of I m p or t an t S k i l l S e t s t h at R e l at e t o C T
T o a s s e s s t he c onc e pt ua l know l e dge of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s of t he t e a c he r s , t he
i nt e r vi e w s t a r t e d w i t h t he que s t i on: “ W ha t s ki l l s do y o u t hi nk a r e i m por t a nt t o i nc l ude i n t he
c l a s s e s f or y o ur s t ude nt s ? ” T he a ns w e r s i ndi c a t e d t ha t t e a c he r s ha ve a w a r e ne s s of s ki l l s
r e l a t e d t o c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng t ha t a r e i m por t a nt i n c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e s . F i ve
out of t he e i ght pa r t i c i pa nt s , f or e x a m pl e , e m pha s i z e d t he c ul t i va t i on of t hi nki ng s ki l l s ,
e s pe c i a l l y s t e p by s t e p l og i c a l t hi nki ng , w hi c h i s a n i m por t a nt c om pone nt s t r e s s e d i n
c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng. P a r t i c i pa nt s r e c ogni z e d t ha t t he c ul t i va t i on of t hi nki ng a bi l i t y i s
uni ve r s a l l y a ppl i c a bl e e ve n t houg h c odi ng l a ng ua ge s c ha nge w i t h t i m e . T he pur pos e of
c ul t i va t i ng t hi nki ng s ki l l s i s t o s ol ve pr obl e m , w hi c h w a s m e nt i one d i n s e ve r a l i nt e r vi e w s .
P a r t i c i pa nt s i nva r i a bl y t a l ke d a bout pr obl e m s ol vi ng be i ng a c ons t a nt c ha l l e nge f or y o ut h i n
t he f ut ur e , t he r e f or e , a s t e p- by - s t e p pr obl e m - s ol vi ng a ppr oa c h w oul d he l p s t ude nt s f or m
a na l y t i c a l pr obl e m - s ol vi ng s ki l l s . F or e xa m pl e , T 5 s t a t e d:
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 51
F or s m a l l ki ds , t he m a j or t hi nki ng s ki l l s houl d be a pr obl e m - s ol vi ng s ki l l t hr oug h
l e a r ni ng c odi ng. I f t hi s s ki l l i s i m pl i e d i n m a t h a nd s c i e nc e , t he ki d w oul d c onne c t t he
know l e dge t o s y s t e m a t i c a l l y s ol ve a pr obl e m …B e c a us e i n l i f e , i f one m e e t s w i t h
c ha l l e nge s , he w oul d not t he n i ns t a nt l y g o t o pa r e nt s or t e a c he r s , but w oul d t hi nk
i ndi v i dua l l y a n d t e s t t o f i n d s ol u t i on. T he pr o bl e m s a r e c o ns t a nt l y f r om l i f e , a b out l i f e ,
s o w e us e r e a l l i f e pr obl e m s t o t e a c h t he s ubj e c t know l e dge t hr oug hout t he c our s e .
T he s ki l l s e t s m e nt i one d i n t he i nt e r vi e w w e r e r e l a t e d t o t he c onc e pt of c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng i n l i t e r a t ur e , s uc h a s a na l y z i ng, de c om pos i ng pr obl e m s , s e que nc i ng a nd pa r a l l e l i ng
( R e s ni c k, 2013) . M or e ove r , t he s pi r i t t o unde r t a ke c ha l l e nge s a nd t o be pe r s i s t e nt w e r e
e m pha s i z e d i n t he i nt e r vi e w , w hi c h a r e a l s o r e l a t e d t o t he c onc e pt of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng .
O ne i nt e r vi e w e e , T 7, m e nt i one d t ha t t he c or e va l ue of c odi ng e duc a t i on t o c hi l dr e n l i e s i n
g ui di ng t he m t o e x pl or e , w hi c h m e a ns t o di s c ove r pr obl e m s , a na l y z e pr obl e m s , a nd f i na l l y
i nde pe nde nt l y e x pl or e di f f e r e nt w a y s t o s ol ve t he pr obl e m s . T hi s e c hoe d t he l i t e r a t ur e
r e s e a r c h w hi c h s ug ge s t e d t ha t c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng e nc om pa s s e s c om pe t e nc i e s i nc l udi ng a
s e t of know l e dge , s ki l l s a nd a t t i t ude s t ha t c a n be a ddr e s s e d a s C T c om pe t e nc e , r a t he r t ha n
j us t know l e dge a nd s ki l l s ( V oogt e t a l ., 2015) . T o t hi s poi nt , T 5 s t a t e d:
K i ds l e a r n t o a c t i ve l y t hi nki ng a bout pr obl e m s …t he c odi ng pr oc e s s he l ps t o e x e r c i s e
t he a bi l i t y t o s ol ve pr obl e m s on one s ’ ow n …B e c a us e t he r e i s t he t e s t i ng pr oc e dur e ,
t he y c a n t r y by t he m s e l ve s a l l ki nds of w a y s t o s e e i f t he g oa l c oul d be r e a l i z e d. T hi s
i s w ha t w e c a l l t he a bi l i t y t o t a ke i ni t i a t i ve s w he n s ol vi ng pr obl e m s .
T he i nt e r vi e w s s ug ge s t e d t ha t t he t e a c he r s w e r e not onl y a w a r e of t he s ki l l s e t s r e l a t e d t o
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng but a l s o t he m e nt a l i t y t ha t i s i m por t a nt t o t he s t ude nt s f or t he f ut ur e .
T he r e f or e , t hi s know l e dge w a s f ound t o be a c ur r e nt a s s e t .
T e ac h e r s S h ow B as i c , N ot S ys t e m at i c , U n d e r s t an d i n g of C T C on c e p t s
F or t e a c he r t o s uc c e s s f ul l y i m pl e m e nt c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i n t he i r c l a s s r oom s , t he y
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 52
ne e d t o s y s t e m a t i c a l l y unde r s t a nd t he c onc e pt s of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . I t w a s a s s um e d
t ha t t he t e a c he r s w oul d ha ve r e l a t i ve l y l i t t l e know l e dge or e x pos ur e t o C T a s a c onc e pt s i nc e
i t ha d not be e n a n e m pha s i s i n t he c om pa ny . T he pa r t i c i pa nt s w e r e a s ke d w ha t t he y w oul d
e x pl a i n t o a ne w t e a c he r s houl d t he y a s k w ha t c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i s . T he n, da t a w e r e
c om pa r e d t o t he m os t f r e que nt l y di s c us s e d c onc e pt s of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng ba s e d on
l i t e r a t ur e , a s i s i ndi c a t e d i n T a bl e 8.
T a bl e 8
E i ght C onc e pt s of C om put at i onal T hi nk i ng f r o m L i t e r at ur e
C om p u t at i on al t h i n k i n g
c on c e p t s
T e r m s u s e d b y p ar t i c i p an t s F r e q u e n c y
pr obl e m s ol vi ng P r obl e m s ol vi ng pr oc e s s / m a ki ng
pl a ns / w hol i s t i c t hi nki ng / opt i m um s ol ut i on
10 t i m e s
de buggi ng ( S a m e a s pr obl e m s ol vi ng )
pr obl e m de c om pos i t i on A na l y z e / de c om pos e 5 t i m e s
a l gor i t hm i c t hi nki ng M a t h t hi nki ng / c a l c ul a t i ng / l ogi c
t hi nki ng / pr e c i s e a l gor i t hm i c
4 t i m e s
qua l i t i e s s uc h a s c onf i de nc e ,
pe r s e ve r i ng, c ol l a bor a t i ng,
c r e a t i vi t y
T a ke s i ni t i a t i ve t o t hi nk/ c r e a t i vi t y / ha nds - on
a bi l i t y / a t t e nt i on t o de t a i l
4 t i m e s
a bs t r a c t i on S i m pl i f y c om pl e x pr obl e m 3 t i m e s
pa t t e r n g e ne r a l i z a t i on S e que nc i ng 2 t i m e s
s i m ul a t i on U s i ng pr ogr a m s t o r e a l i z e i de a s 1 t i m e
pa r a l l e l i z a t i on pa r a l l e l i z a t i on 1 t i m e
N ot e : F r e que nc y m e a ns t he t i m e s t he c onc e pt s w e r e m e nt i one d by pa r t i c i pa nt s .
A m ong t he e i ght pa r t i c i pa nt s , one r e pl i e d t ha t t he que s t i on w a s “ t oo of f i c i a l ” - w hi c h i n
t he c ont e x t m e a ns “ t oo a c a de m i c ” - a nd t ha t t he y ha d ne ve r he a r d of t he t e r m a nd c oul d not
e x pl a i n i t . O t he r pa r t i c i pa nt s , how e ve r , i nva r i a bl y di s pl a y e d s om e l e ve l of unde r s t a ndi ng of
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . T 2 s a i d t ha t t he i r unde r s t a ndi ng of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i s t o
“ s ol ve s e e m i ngl y c om pl i c a t e d pr obl e m t hr ough a na l y s i s , pr obl e m de c om pos i t i on a nd
pa r a l l e l i z a t i on. ”
A l t houg h t he i nt e r pr e t a t i ons w e r e c l os e l y r e l a t e d t o C T c onc e pt s , pa r t i c i pa nt s w e r e not
a bl e t o s y s t e m a t i c a l l y de f i ne or e l a bor a t e on de t a i l e d c onc e pt s of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 53
s ki l l s . T y p i c a l l a ngua ge of unc e r t a i nt y i nc l ude d: “ I f e e l t ha t C T m e a ns us i ng c om put e r
l a ngua ge be c a us e pr obl e m s i n l i f e c oul d be r e pr e s e nt e d us i ng c om put e r l a ngua ge ” ( T 5 ) or
“ C om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i s a pr oc e s s of s i m pl i f y i ng c om pl i c a t e d pr obl e m s ” ( T 8 ) . T he s e
s ug ge s t t ha t t e a c he r s ’ unde r s t a ndi ng of t he c onc e pt s w e r e m or e pe r s ona l e x pe r i e nc e - ba s e d,
w i t hout i n- de pt h or s y s t e m a t i c t r a i ni ng. A l t houg h s om e l e ve l of unde r s t a ndi ng a l r e a dy e x i s t s ,
t he r e i s a c ont i nui ng ne e d f or t hi s know l e dge t o be m or e s y s t e m a t i c , t hor oug h, a nd
c om pr e he ns i ve t o f a c i l i t a t e t e a c he r s i nt e g r a t e C T i nt o t he i r c ur r i c ul um . T he r e f or e , t hi s
know l e dge w a s f ound t o be a c ont i nui ng ne e d.
T e ac h e r s L ac k I n - d e p t h K n ow l e d ge of C T P e d agogy
P e da gogy c onc e r ni ng how t o i nt e g r a t e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng r e l a t e d s ki l l s i n c om put e r
pr ogr a m m i ng l e s s on pl a ns w a s a not he r a r e a e x a m i ne d t hr oug h t he i nt e r vi e w s . W i t h t hi s
pr oc e dur a l know l e dge , t e a c he r s w oul d be a bl e t o f a c i l i t a t e s t ude nt l e a r ni ng of c om put a t i on
s ki l l s w i t hi n a c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng s ki l l - ba s e d c ur r i c ul um or c ont e nt . D ur i ng t he
i nt e r vi e w , pa r t i c i pa nt s w e r e a s ke d w ha t ki nds of t e a c hi ng m e t hodol og y / m e t hods a r e
a ppr opr i a t e f or t e a c hi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s . T w o out of t he e i g ht pa r t i c i pa nt s
r e c a l l e d t ha t t he c om pa ny ha d t r a i ne d t he m i n 5E t e a c hi ng m e t hods , w hi c h a r e “ s t ude nt s ’
pa r t i c i pa t i on, f a c i l i t a t e know l e dge e x pl or a t i on, e nha nc e c om m uni c a t i on, c onne c t s ubj e c t
know l e dge t o e x a m pl e s , a nd t o r e a l i z e e va l ua t i on. ” O ne of t he t e a c he r s ( T 8 ) w a s a bl e t o
e x pl i c i t l y i de nt i f y t he f i ve m e t hods c or r e c t l y .
I t hi nk r e a l i z i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i n c l a s s t he r e i s t e a c hi ng m e t hods . W e ha ve a
5E t e a c hi ng ( s t a nda r di z e d) pr oc e dur e : pa r t i c i pa t i on, e xpl or a t i on, c om m uni c a t i on,
e x t e ns i on, e va l ua t i on.
T 1 s t a t e d, “ T he r e i s r e l a t i v e l y l i t t l e t e a c hi ng m e t hods i nvol ve d. O nl y w he n t he r e i s a
c onc r e t e pr obl e m , c a n a n a l gor i t hm i c pr oc e s s oc c ur , ” w hi c h i s c ont r a r y t o t he r e s e a r c h
( G r ove r & P e a , 2013) . S uc h a r e s pons e w a s ba s e d on t he unde r s t a ndi ng t ha t c om put a t i ona l
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 54
t hi nki ng i s r e l a t e d t o pr e c i s e c a l c ul a t i on. O t he r pa r t i c i pa nt s w i t h a br oa de r unde r s t a ndi ng of
C T s ha r e d a m or e g e ne r a l unde r s t a ndi ng of pe da gogy , i nc l udi ng e nc our a ge m e nt of
t e a c he r - l e d e x pl or a t i on, ha nds - on a c t i vi t i e s , a nd pl a y f ul l e a r ni ng. F or e x a m pl e , T 7 s t a t e d,
“ W e w oul d ut i l i z e our t e a c hi ng m a t e r i a l s , f or i ns t a nc e our a ni m a t e d P P T . W e w i l l a l s o l e t
c hi l dr e n e x pl or e on t he i r ow n, a nd t he n s um m a r i z e a nd i nduc e t he know l e dge a nd s ki l l s
e ns ue d. ” T hi s poi nt w a s e l a bor a t e d on by ot he r s t hr oug h t he s ug ge s t i on t ha t g ui di ng c hi l dr e n
t o e x pl or e by t he m s e l ve s t hr oug h ha nds - on a c t i vi t i e s a s c odi ng i s a pr oc e s s of m a ki ng
m i s t a ke s a nd t e s t i ng y o ur s ol ut i on, w hi c h c ul t i va t e s r e s i l i e nc e a nd g r i t . A s s t a t e d by T 4 ,
“ P e opl e s a y t ha t e xpe r i m e nt a nd pr a c t i c e l e a d t o t r ut h, s o I t hi nk i t i s t he be s t s ol ut i on. ”
D ur i ng t he i nt e r vi e w s , pa r t i c i pa nt s w e r e a bl e t o s uppor t t he i r vi e w s w i t h de t a i l e d
e x a m pl e s ; how e ve r , f e w w e r e a bl e t o r e l a t e t he e x a m pl e of C T t o t he or i e s of t e a c hi ng
pe da gogy . F or e x a m pl e , T 6 m e nt i one d t ha t s i nc e c hi l dr e n a r e a t a y o ung a ge w i t h r e l a t i ve l y
w e a ke r a bs t r a c t t hi nki ng s ki l l s , s he w oul d “ dr a w f l ow c ha r t t o he l p t he m doubl e - c he c k t he i r
s ol ut i on. B e c a us e c hi l dr e n, m a y b e due t o t he i r w a y s of t hi nki ng or t he i r m e m or y a nd
a t t e nt i on s pa n, t he y m a y f or ge t w ha t t he pr obl e m w a s i n t he be gi nni ng w he n ot he r pr obl e m s
pi l e d up.” B ut s he c oul d not e x pl a i n w ha t t y p e s of pe da gogy s he w a s us i ng a nd how t he y
w e r e e f f e c t i ve i n i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i nt o t he i r l e s s ons .
O ve r a l l , t he a ns w e r s r e ga r di ng pe da gogy r e ve a l e d a l a c k of unde r s t a ndi ng of t e a c hi ng
m e t hodol og y a bout c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n g e ne r a l , a nd t e a c he r s us e d pr a c t i c e s
m a i nl y ba s e d on pe r s ona l unde r s t a ndi ng t hr ough a c c um ul a t i on of e x pe r i e nc e . S i nc e m a ny
pa r t i c i pa nt s ha d t e a c hi ng e xpe r i e nc e of a r ound one y e a r or l e s s , t he i r l a c k of s y s t e m a t i c
know l e dge on how t o i nc or por a t e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o t he i r l e s s ons m i g ht be due t o a
l a c k of t r a i ni ng .
T e ac h e r s D e m on s t r at e E f f or t s t o R e f l e c t on T e ac h i n g
A nde r s on a nd K r a t hw ohl ( 2001) s ug ge s t t ha t m e t a c ogni t i ve know l e dge i s e s s e nt i a l t o
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 55
bui l di ng e x pe r t i s e a t pe r f or m i ng a t a s k. T e a c he r s w ho l e a r n how t o r e f l e c t a nd m oni t or t he i r
t e a c hi ng a nd s t ude nt pe r f or m a nc e de m ons t r a t e hi g he r l e ve l s of m e t a c ogni t i on. D ur i ng t he
i nt e r vi e w s , pa r t i c i pa nt s de m ons t r a t e d t he a bi l i t y t o r e f l e c t a nd m oni t or t he i r t e a c hi ng i n m a ny
w a y s a s w e l l a s e f f or t s t o do s o. F i r s t , i t w a s s t a t e d t ha t e va l ua t i on of s t ude nt s ’ pe r f or m a nc e
he l pe d t e a c he r s t o r e f l e c t on t he qua l i t y of t he i r t e a c hi ng. A l l pa r t i c i pa nt s e va l ua t e d s t ude nt s
e i t he r di r e c t l y i n c l a s s or a f t e r w a r ds dur i ng pr oj e c t w or k. T hr oug h t he qua l i t y of t he pr oj e c t ,
t e a c he r s r e f l e c t e d on w he t he r t he s t ude nt s ha d l e a r ne d s pe c i f i c s ki l l s ne c e s s a r y t o bui l d t he
pr oj e c t . T hi s i s de m ons t r a t e d i n T 7 ’ s r e s pons e :
T o r e f l e c t , I w oul d e va l ua t e t he unde r s t a ndi ng of s t ude nt s on s ubj e c t know l e dge . I f
t he unde r s t a ndi ng i s ba d, i t m e a ns I di d not de l i ve r . T he n ne x t c l a s s I c oul d t r y
s om e t hi ng e l s e , l i ke t hr oug h m or e i nt e r e s t i ng w a y s , f or e x a m pl e , pl a y f ul l e a r ni ng or
g a m e l e a r ni ng t o l e a d t he m t o t he a ns w e r .
I n a ddi t i on, i t w a s m e nt i one d t ha t s e l f - r e f l e c t i on c oul d be a c hi e ve d t hr oug h c om pa r i ng
t he i r ow n t e a c hi ng t o pe e r c l a s s obs e r va t i on. S pe c i f i c a l l y , t hr ough obs e r va t i on, t e a c he r s c oul d
r e f l e c t a nd c om pa r e on t he de s i g n or de l i ve r y of t he l e s s on. T 6 ’ s a ns w e r de m ons t r a t e d t hi s :
“ D ur i ng t hi s pr oc e s s , w e c a n di s c ove r pr obl e m a he a d of t i m e a nd a dj us t our w a y s of t e a c hi ng
a f t e r c om pa r i s on a nd r e f l e c t i ve l e a r ni ng. ”
F i na l l y , t he pa r t i c i pa nt s ’ e l a bor a t i ons di s pl a y e d hi g h l e ve l s of c om m i t m e nt a nd e f f or t s i n
t e r m s of t he i r a t t e nt i on t o e ve r y i ndi vi dua l s t ude nt a nd t he i r qui c k r e s pons e t o t he f e e dba c k.
A r e pr e s e nt a t i ve a ns w e r f r om T 7 w a s :
D ur i ng our da y t o da y t e a c hi ng, t he r e i s a c odi ng c om m uni t y pl a t f or m w e us e f or
e va l ua t i on. I a s k t he ki ds t o r e vi e w t he s ubj e c t a f t e r t he y g o hom e , t he n do s om e l i t t l e
a ni m a t i on or pr ogr a m . I f t he y ha ve pr obl e m s , t he y c a n t a ke pi c t ur e a nd c om e t o m e
a ny t i m e t hr ough W e c ha t ( s oc i a l m e di a ) . B a s e d on t he i r i ndi vi dua l pr obl e m I w oul d
c om m e nt or a na l y z e w i t h t he m , t hi s i s he l pf ul f or m y t e a c hi ng be c a us e i t i s a
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 56
s um m a r y t o m y t e a c hi ng. I c a n unde r s t a nd w hi c h pa r t t he ki ds a r e ha vi ng pr obl e m
w i t h a nd I w oul d i m pr ove i t ne x t t i m e .
I n s um , t e a c he r s de m ons t r a t e d e f f or t s t o r e f l e c t on t he i r t e a c hi ng, a nd t hi s i s a c ur r e nt
know l e dge a s s e t .
S u m m ar y of K n ow l e d ge an d S k i l l s F i n d i n gs
O ut of t he t hr e e a s s um e d know l e dg e ne e ds f or t e a c he r s t o i nc or por a t e c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng i nt o t he i r c ur r i c ul um , t w o of t he m w e r e f ound t o be c ur r e nt a s s e t s , a nd t w o w e r e
c ont i nui ng ne e ds , m e a ni ng t ha t t he r e i s a ddi t i ona l w or k ne e de d f or t e a c he r s t o bui l d
s y s t e m a t i c know l e dge a bout c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s a nd know how t o i nc or por a t e
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o l e s s on pl a ns . T he i nt e r vi e w da t a s how e d t ha t t e a c he r s a t A ng o
C odi ng ha ve a w a r e ne s s of s ki l l s s e t s r e l a t e d t o c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng de s pi t e t he i r r e l a t i ve l y
s hor t e x pe r i e nc e i n t e a c hi ng c odi ng or t e a c hi ng i n g e ne r a l . A l s o, t e a c he r s a r e a t a g ood
s t a r t i ng poi nt t o e nga ge i n c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng w i t h t he i r s t ude nt s f or t he y de m ons t r a t e d
ba s i c unde r s t a ndi ng of C T c onc e pt s . I t w a s f ound t ha t a l t houg h t e a c he r s c oul d t e a c h a nd
know how t o t e a c h, t he y m a y l a c k s y s t e m a t i c i n- de pt h know l e dge a bout pe da gogy r e l a t e d t o
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng , w hi c h i s c r uc i a l f or t he c om pa ny g oa l t o be r e a l i z e d. F i na l l y ,
t e a c he r s de m ons t r a t e d c om m i t m e nt s a nd s how e d f l e x i bi l i t y i n f i ndi ng w a y s t o r e f l e c t on t he i r
ow n t e a c hi ng.
R e s u l t s an d F i n d i n gs f or M ot i vat i on I n f l u e n c e s
T hr e e m ot i va t i on- r e l a t e d i nf l ue nc e s a r e s t udi e d i n t hi s s e c t i on: t he va l ue t ha t t e a c he r s s e e
i n c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng ; t he be l i e f t ha t t e a c he r s ha ve a bout t he i r ow n a bi l i t y t o e f f e c t i ve l y
i nt e g r a t e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i nt o t he i r t e a c hi ng; a nd t he w i l l i ng ne s s t ha t t e a c he r s
ha ve t ow a r ds t he g oa l t ha t t he c om pa ny s e t s . B ot h s ur ve y a nd i nt e r vi e w s w e r e us e d t o c ol l e c t
da t a f or t he s e t hr e e i nf l ue nc e s , g e ne r a t i ng t hr e e e m e r ge nt t he m e s . F i ndi ngs a r e s y n t he s i z e d t o
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 57
s how t ha t t w o of t he t hr e e m ot i va t i on i nf l ue nc e s a r e c ont i nui ng ne e ds t o be a ddr e s s e d, a nd
one i nf l ue nc e i s a c ur r e nt a s s e t , a s i ndi c a t e d i n T a bl e 9.
T a bl e 9
A s s um e d M ot i v at i on I nf l ue nc e s , T he m e s ge ne r at e d t hr o ugh dat a, and v al i dat i on
A s s u m e d M ot i vat i on I n f l u e n c e T h e m e s C on t i n u i n g
N e e d
C u r r e n t
A s s e t
T e a c he r s ne e d t o s e e t he va l ue i n
a ddi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n
t he i r c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e
c ur r i c ul um t o pr e pa r e t he s t ude nt s w i t h
21
s t
c e nt ur y s ki l l s .
T e a c he r s be l i e ve C T
s ki l l s a r e va l ua bl e
X
T e a c he r s ne e d t o be l i e ve t he y a r e
c a pa bl e of e f f e c t i ve l y i nt e g r a t i ng
c ur r i c ul um w i t h c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
s ki l l s .
T e a c he r s be l i e ve i n t he i r
a bi l i t y t o pr e pa r e f or C T
t e a c hi ng
X
T e a c he r s ne e d t o s e e t he m s e l ve s a s pa r t
of t he c om pa ny ’ s l a r ge r vi s i on a bout
s e t t i ng a na t i ona l m ode l f or c odi ng
c ur r i c ul um .
T e a c he r s a r e w i l l i ng t o
c ont i nuous l y upda t e
t he i r l e s s on pl a ns t o
m e e t ne e ds
X
T e ac h e r s B e l i e ve C T S k i l l s ar e V a l u ab l e
B ot h i nt e r vi e w a nd s ur ve y pa r t i c i pa nt s r e ga r de d c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng a s a n i m por t a nt
s ki l l t o t e a c h. A s t he s ur ve y r e s ul t s i n F i gur e 1 be l ow s how , 100% of t he pa r t i c i pa nt s r e ga r de d
C T a s a ne c e s s a r y s ki l l f or t he 21
s t
c e nt ur y w i t h di f f e r e nt de gr e e s of a gr e e m e nt r a ngi ng f r om
va l ue 5 t o 10 on a L i ke r t s c a l e , w i t h 74% s t r ong l y a gr e e i ng w i t h t he c onc e pt . T he va l ue s
w hi c h w e r e not s e l e c t e d by t he pa r t i c i pa nt s i n a g i ve n s ur ve y que s t i on a r e not de m ons t r a t e d
i n t he f i g ur e s be l ow . A l l s ur ve y que s t i ons us e d a l i ke r t s c a l e of 0 t o 10 ( w i t h 0 be i ng s t r ong l y
di s a gr e e a nd 10 be i ng s t r ong l y a gr e e ) . S ur ve y r e s ul t s i n F i gur e 2 a l s o s how e d t ha t 95% of t he
s ur ve y pa r t i c i pa nt s t hi nk t ha t t he c om pa ny s houl d put e m pha s i s on de ve l opi ng c odi ng c our s e s
f oc us e d on c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 58
F i gur e 1. I r e ga r d c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng a s a ne c e s s a r y 21s t c e nt ur y s ki l l .
N o. of P a r t i c i pa nt s P e r c e nt a ge
S t r ong l y di s a gr e e 0 0%
4 1 1.64%
5 2 3.28%
6 2 3.28%
7 6 9.84%
8 7 1 1 .48%
9 5 8.2%
S t r ong l y a gr e e 38 62.3%
T o t a l num be r of pa r t i c i pa nt s 61
F i gur e 2. M y c om pa ny / s c hool s houl d put e m pha s i s on de ve l opi ng c odi ng c our s e s f oc us e d on
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng .
I n t e r vi e w pa r t i c i pa nt s a l s o e x pr e s s e d a s i m i l a r poi nt of vi e w . D e s pi t e t he l a c k of
s y s t e m a t i c unde r s t a ndi ng of w ha t c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i s , t he r e w a s t he be l i e f t ha t i t w a s
a l r e a dy be i ng e m pl oy e d i n t he l e s s ons , be c a us e e ve n f r om t he na m e of i t , c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng i s “ c onne c t e d ” t o c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng. T 7 s t a t e d t ha t , “ I t i s a l r e a dy t he r e
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 59
t hr oughout t he c our s e . I t ’ s j us t not be e n e m pha s i z e d on” s i nc e l e a r ni ng c om put e r
pr ogr a m m i ng c a nnot s uf f i c e w i t hout l e a r ni ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . A s c om m e nt e d by T 4,
“ O ne m us t be a n out s i de r i f he or s he r e ga r ds C T a s uni m por t a nt . ” P a r t i c i pa nt s a gr e e d on t he
va l ue of s t ude nt s l e a r ni ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng a s pa r t of c odi ng, a s s ug ge s t e d by T 7 :
“ Y ou c a n c hoos e not t o l e a r n c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s , how e ve r , i t i s a l r e a dy pa r t of t he
c odi ng pr oc e s s , be y o u l i ke i t or not . ” M or e ove r , i t w a s s t a t e d t ha t C T , or r e l a t e d t hi nki ng
s ki l l s , i s a m a j or r e a s on f or pa r e nt s t o s e nd t he i r c hi l dr e n t o c odi ng l e s s ons a s w a s
de m ons t r a t e d i n T 1 ’ s a ns w e r : “ I t hi nk t ha t w he n ki ds c om e t o t hi s ( c odi ng) c l a s s , t he
i nt e nt i on i s t o c ul t i va t e s uc h ( C T ) t hi nki ng s ki l l s . ”
P a r t i c i pa nt s a l s o s poke a bout w hy t he y t hi nk C T s houl d be i m pl e m e nt e d i nt o t he
c ur r i c ul um . F or e x a m pl e , i t w a s m e nt i one d t ha t i t m i g ht be i m por t a nt f or t he de ve l opm e nt of
t e a c he r s t he m s e l ve s be c a us e t e a c he r s ne e d t o l e a r n a bout ne w know l e dge a nd s ki l l s . A not he r
va l ue s t a t e d f or C T i s t ha t w he n t he c ur r e nt l e s s ons do not s a t i s f y t he ne e ds of t he s t ude nt s ,
e s pe c i a l l y t he t op pe r f or m i ng one s or t hos e una bl e t o c a t c h up, ne w l e a r ni ng g oa l s or s ubj e c t
c om pone nt s a r ound C T s houl d be a dde d t o c om pl e m e nt or s ol ve t hi s i s s ue . F or e x a m pl e , T 5
s a i d:
I ha ve e nc ount e r e d s t ude nt s w ho a r e r e a l l y ve r y br i l l i a nt . S o, our c ur r e nt l e s s ons
w oul d be t oo s i m pl e f or hi m , or t o s a t i s f y hi s ne e ds w i t h l e a r ni ng. O ur t e a c he r s w oul d
l e t hi m t hi nk i nde pe nde nt l y a nd w e w oul d f i nd s om e t hi ng c ha l l e ngi ng f or hi m . W i t h
s uc h c a s e s , w e c oul d de ve l op s om e t hi ng ope n- m i nde d ( l i ke c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng )
f or hi m t o l e a r n.
T he i nt e r vi e w s a l s o s ug ge s t e d t he be ne f i t s of ha vi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s ove r
s i m pl y l e a r ni ng f or t e s t s a s a g ood t r e nd. T hi s opi ni on w a s r e pr e s e nt e d by T 7 , w ho di s c us s e d
t he c ont e x t of C hi na , w he r e t he A ngo c om pa ny r e s i de s :
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 60
I t hi nk t ha t , l i ke , w e i n C hi na , c om pa r e d t o s om e ot he r c ount r i e s , a r e ve r y
e x a m / t e s t i ng or i e nt e d, w hi c h m e a ns w e pl a c e i m por t a nc e on t he ul t i m a t e t e s t r e s ul t s
of t he s ubj e c t t ha t s t ude nt s l e a r ne d. T o a c hi e ve t hi s r e s ul t , l ot s of pr a c t i c e i s ke y …Y e t
t hi s i s onl y one t e c hni que i n t e r m s of pr obl e m s ol vi ng . B e c a us e i n f ut ur e , our ki ds
w i l l e nc ount e r pr obl e m s w i t h i nf i ni t e pos s i bi l i t i e s , s o dur i ng t he pr obl e m - s ol vi ng
pr oc e s s , i t ’ s not j us t one t y p e of t e c hni que s t ha t ’ s be e n us e d. T he r e f or e , i f t he y c oul d
l e a r n, s a y , t hr ough e x pl or a t i on a nd i nde pe nde nt t hi nki ng , t he n t he y w oul d be a bl e t o
a da pt t hi s a bi l i t y t o ot he r pr obl e m - s ol vi ng s c e na r i os .
I n s um m a r y , i t w a s vi e w e d by pa r t i c i pa nt s t ha t c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i s i m por t a nt ,
ne c e s s a r y a nd be ne f i c i a l , a nd t he y c oul d s e e t he va l ue i n t e a c hi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i n
t he i r l e s s ons . T hus , t he m ot i va t i on i nf l ue nc e t o s e e va l ue i n C T i s a c ur r e nt a s s e t .
T e ac h e r s B e l i e ve i n T h e i r A b i l i t y t o P r e p ar e f or C T T e ac h i n g
I n t he s ur ve y , a que s t i on a s ke d a bout t e a c he r s ’ s e l f - e va l ua t i on of t he i r c om pe t e nc e i n
i m pl e m e nt i ng ne w c ont e nt i nt o t he i r l e s s on pl a ns , a nd 96% of t he pa r t i c i pa nt s r e pl i e d t ha t
t he y ha ve c onf i de nc e i n doi ng t hi s . T hr e e out of 61 s ur ve y pa r t i c i pa nt s f e l t t ha t t he y w e r e not
a bl e t o do i t .
I n t e r vi e w pa r t i c i pa nt s a l s o di s pl a y e d c onf i de nc e i n t he i r a bi l i t y t o i nc or por a t e C T i nt o
t he i r l e s s ons , w i t h s om e e x pr e s s i ng a n e a s y i nt e g r a t i on of t e a c hi ng C T i n c l a s s a nd ot he r s
s a y i ng t ha t de s pi t e unf a m i l i a r i t y w i t h t he c onc e pt , t he y t r us t t ha t w i t h l e a r ni ng a nd
pr e pa r a t i on, t he y w oul d be c a pa bl e t o t e a c h C T r e l a t e d s ubj e c t . O ne r e a s on m i g ht be t ha t
t he r e i s be l i e f i n t he i nt e r c onne c t i on of C T a nd c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng a s m e nt i one d a bove ,
t hus , i t w a s s t a t e d w i t h va r y i ng de gr e e of c onf i de nc e t ha t t e a c he r s w e r e a l r e a dy i m pl e m e nt i ng
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i n t he i r t e a c hi ng. T 4 s how e d pa r t i c ul a r c onf i de nc e s t a t i ng : “ A s I j us t
e x pl a i ne d t o y o u, i t i s obvi ous t ha t c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i s t hr oughout t he t e a c hi ng of our
c l a s s e s . ” W hi l e ot he r pa r t i c i pa nt s , i nc l udi ng T 7 , t houg ht c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng m i g ht be
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 61
i nvol ve d i n c ur r e nt pr ogr a m m i ng l e s s ons w i t h or w i t hout t e a c he r s ’ c ons c i ous ne s s , s t a t i ng ,
“ t e a c hi ng s t ude nt s t o s ol vi ng c om put a t i ona l pr obl e m s m i g ht be a pr oc e s s t ha t i nvol ve s
c om put a t i on, s o w he t he r s ubj e c t i ve l y or obj e c t i ve l y , t he pr oc e s s of t e a c hi ng w i l l i nvol ve
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . ” A not he r r e a s on be hi nd t he i r c onf i de nc e w a s t he be l i e f t ha t l e a r ni ng
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i s s i m i l a r t o l e a r ni ng c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng s ki l l s , a nd by
s e t t i ng t he l e a r ni ng g oa l a nd ha vi ng s uf f i c i e nt l e a r ni ng m a t e r i a l s , t e a c he r s c a n be r e a dy t o
i nt e g r a t e c om put a t i ona l l e a r ni ng. T hi s r e a s on w a s r e pr e s e nt e d by T 8:
I g ue s s I w i l l j us t ne e d t o l e a r n a bout i t ( C T ) , be c a us e a s I pr e pa r e f or m y nor m a l
c l a s s , I w oul d pr e pa r e e ve r y t hi ng a w e e k be f or e t he c l a s s s t a r t s , f or e x a m pl e t he
l e a r ni ng obj e c t i ve s , l e s s on pl a ns a nd t e a c hi ng m a t e r i a l s , e t c . I e ve n ne e d t o t hi nk
a bout t he pot e nt i a l pr obl e m s m y s t ude nt s w oul d e nc ount e r , pos s i bl e pr obl e m i n c l a s s ,
a nd m y s ol ut i on. S o, i f I w e r e t o i nt e g r a t e C T i nt o m y c l a s s , I e s t i m a t e t ha t I w oul d
ne e d m or e t i m e t o pr e pa r e f or t hi s pur pos e .
I n s um , t e a c he r s ha ve c onf i de nc e i n t he i r a bi l i t y t o l e a r n t o i nc or por a t e c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng i nt o t he i r l e s s ons , m a ki ng t hi s a c ur r e nt a s s e t .
T e ac h e r s A r e W i l l i n g t o C on t i n u ou s l y U p d at e L e s s on P l an s t o M e e t N e e d s
W i t h t he e x c e pt i on of one s ur ve y r e s ponde nt w ho ne i t he r a gr e e d nor di s a gr e e d, s ur ve y
pa r t i c i pa nt s di s pl a y e d w i l l i ng ne s s t o upda t e t he i r l e s s ons , w i t h a bout 74% s t a t i ng a s t r ong
w i l l t o do s o. S om e of t he r e a s ons w e r e r e ve a l e d dur i ng t he i nt e r vi e w , w he r e pa r t i c i pa nt s
t a l ke d a bout t he f or e s e e a bl e l ong - t e r m be ne f i t s t o t e a c he r s a nd s t ude nt s . T e a c he r s be l i e ve d
t ha t by upda t i ng t he i r l e s s on pl a ns a nd w or ki ng t ow a r ds t he c om pa ny g oa l , t he bi g ge s t
be ne f i c i a r y w oul d be s t ude nt s . T he upda t e d c our s e s c oul d he l p pr e pa r e t he s t ude nt s i n
m ul t i pl e w a y s f or t he f ut ur e , f or c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i s not j us t c odi ng, but s ki l l s t ha t c a n
pr e pa r e s t ude nt s f or l i f e . A s s t a t e d by T 1, “ C om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng m a y i nc l ude a va r i e t y of
s ki l l s , a nd i f one c a n l e a r n a nd c ul t i va t e t hi s t hi nki ng s ki l l s , i t i s be ne f i c i a l t o t he f ut ur e
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 62
de ve l opm e nt . ” S pe c i f i c a l l y , t hi s i s a c hi e ve d be c a us e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s c a n he l p
s t ude nt s s ol ve pr obl e m s , w hi c h a s T 8 di s c us s e d, “ i nc r e a s e s a s e ns e of a c c om pl i s hm e nt t ha t
m ot i va t e s t ude nt s t o e nga ge i n m or e a c t i vi t i e s a nd pr oj e c t s a l i ke i n f ut ur e . ” P a r t i c i pa nt s a l s o
s t a t e d t ha t t he s ki l l s l e a r ne d f r om c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng m i g ht i ns pi r e t he s t ude nt s t o s ol ve
da y - t o- da y pr obl e m s , be c a us e t he s ki l l s c oul d be t r a ns f e r r e d i nt o s ol vi ng da i l y pr obl e m s a s
r e f l e c t e d i n c l a s s .
A pa r t f r om t he be ne f i t s t o t he s t ude nt s , pa r t i c i pa nt s m e nt i one d t ha t by w or ki ng t ow a r ds
t he c om pa ny ’ s g oa l , t e a c he r s w oul d be a bl e t o i m pr ove t he m s e l ve s a nd l e a r n ne w t hi ng s
w hi c h s e r ve d a s m ot i va t i on f or t he m . F or e x a m pl e , T 5 s a i d, “ W he n I t e a c h C T c our s e m y s e l f ,
I w oul d c ont i nuous l y i m pr ove m y t e a c hi ng a nd t r y ne w a r e a s of know l e dge a nd s ki l l s . W e a s
t e a c he r s w oul d not s t op l e a r ni ng. ” F or s om e pa r t i c i pa nt s , t he y s a w t he m s e l ve s a s pa r t of t he
c om pa ny ’ s l a r ge r vi s i on a bout s e t t i ng a na t i ona l m ode l f or c odi ng c ur r i c ul um , a s
de m ons t r a t e d by T 7 ’ s r e s pons e : “ I n t he l ong r un, s uc h a pl a n ( vi s i on) w oul d a l l ow s t ude nt s ,
pa r e nt s a nd t he s oc i e t y ( i ndus t r y ) t o r e c ogni z e d our c ur r i c ul um f oc us , a nd i f our c om pa ny
w oul d de ve l op t ow a r ds t hi s g oa l , w e a s t e a c he r s w oul d be de ve l ope d a l ong t he w a y . ”
I n s um , t he s ur ve y a nd i nt e r vi e w s s ug ge s t e d t ha t t he t e a c he r s s e e t he m s e l ve s a s pa r t of
t he c om pa ny ’ s l a r ge r vi s i on of be i ng a m ode l f or c odi ng c ur r i c ul um a nd a r e w i l l i ng t o r e vi s e
t he i r c ur r i c ul um a s ne e de d t o s uppor t t hi s vi s i on. A s s uc h, t hi s i s a c ur r e nt a s s e t .
S u m m ar y of M ot i vat i on F i n d i n gs
T he f i ndi ng s s ug ge s t t ha t a l l t hr e e m ot i va t i on i nf l ue nc e s on t e a c hi ng C T a r e c ur r e nt
a s s e t s of t e a c he r s a t A ngo. P a r t i c i pa nt s w e r e a bl e t o s e e t he va l ue of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
s ki l l s i n t e r m s of t he i r i m por t a nc e , be ne f i t s , a nd t he ne c e s s i t y t ha t c om e s w i t h t he m be i ng
pa r t of c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng. I n a ddi t i on, pa r t i c i pa nt s s ug ge s t e d t ha t t he y c a n be r e a dy
t hr ough pr e pa r a t i on t o i nt e g r a t e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o t he i r l e s s ons . T he y a l s o
di s pl a y e d w i l l i ng ne s s t o do s o. A l t houg h f i ndi ng s s how e d t ha t t he t e a c he r s w e r e ne i t he r
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 63
s ophi s t i c a t e dl y t r a i ne d i n C T s pe c i f i c f i e l ds nor ha ve t he know l e dge a nd s ki l l s t o t e a c h C T a t
t he m om e nt , t he s e f i ndi ng s s ug ge s t t ha t w i t h s uppor t a nd g ui da nc e , t he y c oul d be r e a dy . T hi s
l e a ds t o t he ne x t s e c t i on, t he di s c us s i on of or g a ni z a t i ona l ne e ds f or t e a c he r s t o e f f e c t i ve l y
i nc or por a t e C T i nt o t he i r i ns t r uc t i ons .
R e s u l t s an d F i n d i n gs f or O r gan i z at i on al I n f l u e n c e s
I n e x pl or i ng or g a ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s , t hi s s t udy f oc us e d on t hr e e a r e a s of a s s um e d
or g a ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s on t e a c he r s ’ a bi l i t y t o i nc or por a t e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o t he i r
c ur r i c ul um . T he s e i nc l ude t he ne e d f or t he or g a ni z a t i on t o c ul t i va t e a c ul t ur e t ha t e nc our a ge s
t he t e a c he r s t o c ont i nuous l y upda t e e x i s t i ng c our s e s ; t he ne e d f or t he or g a ni z a t i on t o pr ovi de
c ur r i c ul um a nd t r a i ni ng s uppor t f or t e a c he r s t o i nt e g r a t e C T i nt o c ur r i c ul um ; a nd t he ne e d f or
t he or g a ni z a t i on t o pr ovi de l e a de r s hi p t ha t i s t r us t e d by t e a c he r s . T a bl e 10 pr e s e nt s a
s um m a r y of t he t hr e e a s s um e d or g a ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e s , t he m e s f r om t he m , a nd w he t he r
t he y w e r e f ound t o be c ont i nui ng ne e ds or c ur r e nt a s s e t s .
T a bl e 10
A s s um e d O r g ani z at i onal I nf l ue nc e
A s s u m e d O r gan i z at i on al I n f l u e n c e s T h e m e s C on t i n u i n g
N e e d
C u r r e n t
A s s e t
T he c om pa ny ne e ds t o c ul t i va t e a c ul t ur e
of a c c e pt a nc e a nd w i l l i ng ne s s a m ong t he
t e a c he r s t o c ont i nuous l y upda t i ng e x i s t i ng
c our s e s .
T he c om pa ny doe s
c ul t i va t e a c ul t ur e of
w i l l i ng ne s s f or
i m pr ove m e nt
X
T he c om pa ny ne e ds t o pr ovi de t r a i ni ng
oppor t uni t i e s f or t e a c he r s t o l e a r n f r om
e f f e c t i ve r ol e m ode l s f r om t he i ndus t r y
w ho ha ve i nt e g r a t e d c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s i nt o c our s e s .
T he c om pa ny ne e ds
t o pr ovi de
c ur r i c ul um upda t e s
a nd a ddi t i ona l
oppor t uni t i e s f or
t r a i ni ng
X
T he c om pa ny ne e ds t o pr ovi de l e a de r s hi p
t ha t i s t r us t e d t o or g a ni z e a nd s uppor t
t e a c he r s dur i ng t he t r a ns i t i on t o ne w
m ode l s of l e a r ni ng.
L e a de r s hi p ne e ds t o
be t r us t e d i n
t r a ns i t i on t o ne w
m ode l s of l e a r ni ng
X
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 64
T h e C om p an y C u l t i vat e s a C u l t u r e of W i l l i n gn e s s f or I m p r ove m e n t
T he s ur ve y r e s ul t s f r om F i gur e 3 s how e d t ha t pa r t i c i pa nt s w e r e w i l l i ng t o s uppor t t he
c om pa ny t o r e a l i z e t he g oa l , s ug ge s t i ng t he c om pa ny ha d e s t a bl i s he d a n or g a ni z a t i ona l
c ul t ur e a r ound i m pr ove m e nt . D a t a f r om t he i nt e r vi e w s s how e d t ha t t he w i l l i ng ne s s w oul d be
pr om ot e d by t he c om pa ny s e t t i ng a c l e a r g oa l of pr om ot i ng C T a nd c om m uni c a t i ng a vi s i on
a r ound t he g oa l t hr oug h br a ndi ng.
N o. of P a r t i c i pa nt s P e r c e nt a ge
S t r ong l y di s a gr e e 0 0%
7 3 4.92%
8 7 1 1 .48%
9 6 9.84%
S t r ong l y a gr e e 45 73.77%
T o t a l num be r of pa r t i c i pa nt s 61
F i gur e 3. I a m w i l l i ng t o s uppor t m y c om pa ny t o de ve l op i t s c our s e s i nt o na t i ona l m ode l
c our s e s by i nc l udi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s .
P a r t i c i pa nt s g e ne r a l l y be l i e ve d t ha t t he br a ndi ng t he c om pa ny e nga ge d i n a r ound C T
de ve l opm e nt w oul d be be ne f i c i a l , f or t hi s w oul d be a g e s t ur e t ha t c oul d di f f e r e nt i a t e t he
c om pa ny f r om t he r e s t . T he i r vi e w s s ug ge s t e d t ha t t he c om pa ny ha d a c ul t ur e t ha t pr om ot e d
t he m s e e i ng t he m s e l ve s a s pa r t of t he c om pa ny a nd i nve s t e d i n i t s s uc c e s s . T hi s vi e w w a s
r e f l e c t e d by T 5:
I f t he g oa l w a s s e t by t he c om pa ny , i t w oul d s e t us a pa r t , a nd t he br a ndi ng i s doi ng
g ood. T hi s w oul d a l s o be be ne f i c i a l t o t he f ut ur e de ve l opm e nt of t e a c he r s , a s w e l l a s
s t ude nt s . A n e a r l y - o n e x pos ur e on c odi ng w oul d he l p t he m ( s t ude nt s ) w i t h t he i r
s t udi e s a t s c hool w i t h i m pr ove d c a pa bi l i t i e s . F or t e a c he r s , w e w oul d c ont i nuous l y
l e a r n a nd i m pr ove our s e l ve s , s o i t he l ps t o e l e va t e our t e a c hi ng a bi l i t i e s .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 65
A l t houg h T 5 di s pl a y e d s om e c onc e r n s a y i ng t ha t t he g oa l w oul d be ha r d t o a c hi e ve
be c a us e , “ t he i ndus t r y ha s f i e r c e c om pe t i t i on w i t h di f f e r e nt e m pha s i s a nd or i e nt a t i ons , s o
t he r e ’ s no s t a nda r d t o c om pa r e w ho i s be t t e r , ” m a ny s t i l l t houg ht t ha t t he g oa l of be i ng a
m ode l f or c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng w a s be ne f i c i a l i n t he l ong - r un be c a us e t he c om pa ny ’ s g oa l
w oul d f i t i n C hi na ’ s c ont e x t a s t he c ount r y pr om ot e s a hol i s t i c e duc a t i on t ha t e m pha s i z e s
w e l l - r ounde d a bi l i t i e s . T hi s opi ni on w a s r e pr e s e nt e d by T 7, w ho di s c us s e d i n de t a i l a bout t he
i m pa c t on t he t e a c he r s of t he c om pa ny s e t t i ng a c l e a r g oa l t ha t i s a l i g ne d w i t h t he
de ve l opm e nt of t he na t i on ’ s g oa l :
I f our c om pa ny w a nt s t o be bi g a nd s t r ong i n f i e l ds of c odi ng e duc a t i on, t he c or e l i e s
i n ha vi ng t he i de a l a nd c onc e pt , a nd our c om pa ny ha s g ood c onc e pt s . C hi na i s
pr om ot i ng hol i s t i c e duc a t i on a nd e duc a t i ona l g ove r ni ng bodi e s a r e i nc l udi ng c odi ng
e duc a t i on i nt o t he e duc a t i on s y s t e m . T he c onc e pt s pr opos e d by our c om pa ny i s i n
a c c or da nc e w i t h t he de ve l opm e nt of our na t i on ’ s e duc a t i on s y s t e m , doi ng g ood f or us
i n t he l ong r un.
I n s um m a r y , i t w a s r e c ogni z e d by pa r t i c i pa nt s t ha t i f t he g oa l t o be a l e a de r i n
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng w a s s e t by t he c om pa ny , i t w oul d ha ve m a ny pos i t i ve a s pe c t s . T he y
de m ons t r a t e d w i l l i ng ne s s t o c oope r a t e w i t h t he or g a ni z a t i on by i m pr ovi ng t he m s e l ve s i n
or de r t o r e a c h f or t he g oa l , a nd t he y a l s o r e c kone d t ha t t he s t ude nt s w oul d be t he ul t i m a t e
be ne f i c i a r i e s by t hi s pr oc e s s . T hus , t he or g a ni z a t i on doe s c ul t i va t e a c ul t ur e of w i l l i ng ne s s f or
i m pr ove m e nt a nd i s c ons i de r e d a c ur r e nt a s s e t .
T h e C om p an y N e e d s t o P r ovi d e C u r r i c u l u m U p d at e s an d A d d i t i on al O p p or t u n i t i e s f or
T r ai n i n g
A c c or di ng t o t he i nt e r vi e w s , t he r e a r e m a ny c ha l l e nge s i n t e a c hi ng c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s , i nc l udi ng c ur r i c ul um s e t t i ng , di f f e r e nc e s of s t ude nt s ’ l e ve l s , c ha l l e nge s t o
t e a c hi ng pr e pa r a t i on, a nd pa r e nt s ’ r e c ogni t i on. T he s e a l l a dd di f f i c ul t i e s t o t he pr om ot i on of
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 66
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . T o s t a r t w i t h, t he i m por t a nc e of c ur r i c ul um s e t t i ng w a s br ought up
a nd s t r e s s e d by t hr e e pa r t i c i pa nt s . I f t he c ur r i c ul um i s w e l l de s i gne d, m e a ni ng “ r i c h,
c ons i s t e nt , s c i e nt i f i c , a nd c ont i nuous l y upda t e d t o m e e t ne e ds , ” a c c or di ng t o T 1 a nd T 7 , i t
w oul d f a c i l i t a t e t he t e a c he r s t o i nt e g r a t e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o t he i r c our s e s . O t he r w i s e ,
r e a l a nd c ons i s t e nt c ha nge s w oul d not ha ppe n.
S t ude nt s ’ l e ve l i s c ons i de r e d a not he r c ha l l e nge be c a us e c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng r e qui r e s
t he unde r s t a ndi ng of c om put e r l a ng ua ge s a nd a bi l i t i e s r e l a t e d t o r e a di ng , w hi c h a r e not e a s y
s ubj e c t s t o g r a s p f or c hi l dr e n a t y o ung a ge s . I f t he l e ve l of s t ude nt s va r i e s i n c l a s s , i t pos e s
m or e c ha l l e nge s f or t e a c he r s i n t e r m s of a da pt a t i on of c ont e nt a nd c l a s s de s i gn. S uc h poi nt s
w e r e de m ons t r a t e d i n T 3 ’ s c om m e nt s : “ T he m a i n c ha l l e nge w oul d be t he s t ude nt s , i f s t ude nt s
do not ha ve a s ol i d f ounda t i on i n c odi ng, r e a di ng , i t w oul d be ha r d f or t he m t o l e a r n
a ddi t i ona l s ki l l s . ”
I n t e r m s of t e a c he r pr e pa r e dne s s , pa r t i c i pa nt s voi c e d s om e c onc e r ns , i nc l udi ng t e a c he r s ’
know l e dge a nd a bi l i t y t o i nt e g r a t e C T s ki l l s i nt o da i l y t e a c hi ngs , a nd i nc r e a s e i n t e a c he r s ’
w or kl oa d w i t h t oo m uc h t o do w i t h t oo l i t t l e s uppor t . T e a c he r s ’ a bi l i t i e s va r i e d a c c or di ng t o
t he i r e duc a t i on ba c kgr ound a nd t e a c hi ng e x pe r i e nc e , f or i ns t a nc e , a s m e nt i one d by T 4,
“ M a ny of t he m ( t he t e a c he r s ) a r e not f r om t he c om put e r s c i e nc e ba c kgr ound, t he r e f or e t he
qua l i t y of t e a c hi ng m i g ht be di f f e r e nt ” s i nc e c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng i s a s pe c i f i c s ki l l t ha t
r e qui r e s t r a i ni ng . F or t e a c he r s w i t h or w i t hout a c om put e r s c i e nc e ba c kgr ound, t he
r e qui r e m e nt t o a s k t e a c he r s t o t e a c h m or e s ki l l s c oul d be c onf us i ng a nd ove r w he l m i ng t oo.
T hi s c oul d l e a d t o t e a c he r s f i ndi ng s hor t c ut s t o r e a c h de s i g na t e d t e a c hi ng g oa l s t ha t m a y
s e e m t o be t oo m a ny or t oo ha r d f or t he m . A s s t a t e d by T 4: “ I f t he t a s k i s t oo he a vy ( m e a ni ng
t oo m uc h w or kl oa d) f or t e a c he r s , g r a dua l l y i t m i g ht be c om e a n i m pos s i bl e m i s s i on t o
a c c om pl i s h. T e a c he r s m i g ht f i nd s hor t c ut s , f e e di ng t he s t ude nt s s ol ut i ons r a t he r t ha n
a l l ow i ng t he m t i m e t o t e s t a nd t r y . ”
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 67
A not he r c ha l l e nge s t a t e d w a s pa r e nt s ’ l a c k of r e c ogni t i on of non- e x a m r e l a t e d s ki l l s . T 4
e l a bor a t e d on C hi na ’ s e duc a t i on s y s t e m w hi c h r e l i e s on t e s t - ba s e d s e l e c t i on. D e s pi t e t he
e m pha s i s on a l l - r ounde d s t ude nt de ve l opm e nt , pa r e nt s s t i l l a t t a c h g r e a t i m por t a nc e t o t he
l e a r ni ng out c om e s i n t e r m s of e x a m s c or e s . A c c or di ng t o r e a l c a s e s f r om A ngo, T 7 s a i d t ha t ,
“ S om e pa r e nt s ha ve hope s t ha t l e a r ni ng c odi ng c a n he l p c ul t i va t e t he ki ds ’ l og i c t hi nki ng
s ki l l , w hi c h c a n he l p w i t h t he i r m a t h l e a r ni ng. ” S uc h e x pe c t a t i on f r om pa r e nt s m i g ht be a n
i m pe di m e nt t o r e a l i z i ng t he c om pa ny ’ s g oa l t ha t f oc us e s on s ki l l s s e t s ot he r t ha n m a t h.
T he i nt e r vi e w pa r t i c i pa nt s w e r e a s ke d t o de s c r i be t he e xi s t i ng t e a c hi ng s uppor t t ha t t he
c om pa ny pr ovi de s . T he r e s pons e s w e r e s i m i l a r a c r os s pa r t i c i pa nt s . T o s t a r t w i t h, t he
c om pa ny of f e r s t hr oug h i t s onl i ne pl a t f or m s uppor t of m a t e r i a l s a nd vi de os s o t e a c he r s c a n
w a t c h s uc c e s s f ul t e a c hi ng e x pe r i e nc e s a nd l e a r n a bout be s t pr a c t i c e s . O n t he onl i ne pl a t f or m
t he r e i s a l s o a “ F ut ur e L e a r ni ng C e nt e r ” w he r e t e a c he r s c a n r e a d bl og s f r om f e l l ow t e a c he r s
a nd di s c us s c ha l l e nge s a nd e xpe r i e nc e s i n t e a c hi ng. A s T2 di s c us s e d: “ A l l t he e f f or t s a r e
c om m i t t e d t o he l p ke e p t he l e ve l a nd qua l i t y of t e a c hi ng. ” B e s i de s t he onl i ne r e s our c e s , t he
c om pa ny e nc our a ge s t e a c he r s t o obs e r ve e a c h ot he r s ’ c l a s s e s a nd pr ovi de f e e dba c k, a nd t hi s
obs e r va t i on c oul d be by bot h t he t e a c he r s i n m a na ge r i a l a nd t e a c hi ng pos i t i ons . L a s t l y , t o
pr om ot e t e a c hi ng qua l i t y , t he c om pa ny r e gul a r l y or ga ni z e s m oc k t e a c hi ng a c t i vi t i e s dur i ng
w hi c h a w a r ds a r e g i ve n t o t he be s t pr a c t i c e s . T he i nt e r vi e w pa r t i c i pa nt s s poke a bout t he s e
s uppor t s w i t h de t a i l s t ha t de m ons t r a t e d t hor ough unde r s t a ndi ng.
F r om t he pa r t i c i pa nt s ’ r e s pons e s , i t a ppe a r e d t ha t c om m uni c a t i on w a s qui t e s m oot h
be t w e e n t e a c he r s , a nd t he y a r e a pt a t f i ndi ng he l p f or t e a c hi ng pr obl e m s . T hi s i ndi c a t e d t ha t
t he pa r t i c i pa nt s f e l t s e c ur e a bout t he w a y s of g e t t i ng t he t e a c hi ng s uppor t t he y w a nt .
W i t h t ha t s a i d, t he t e a c he r s poi nt e d t o c ons i de r a bl e c ha l l e nge s i n t e a c hi ng c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s , i nc l udi ng c ur r i c ul um s e t t i ng , di f f e r e nc e s of s t ude nt s ’ l e ve l s , c ha l l e nge s t o
t e a c hi ng pr e pa r a t i on, a nd pa r e nt s ’ r e c ogni t i on t ha t c a l l on a ddi t i ona l t r a i ni ng oppor t uni t i e s .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 68
T hi s poi nt w a s a l s o s uppor t e d by t he s ur ve y a s F i gur e 4 s how s t ha t ove r 85% of t he
pa r t i c i pa nt w oul d be g l a d t o pa r t i c i pa t e i n a ddi t i ona l t r a i ni ng s houl d t he c om pa ny pr ovi de i t .
N o. of P a r t i c i pa nt s P e r c e nt a ge
S t r ong l y di s a gr e e 0 0%
6 2 3.28%
7 0 0%
8 5 8.2%
9 2 3.28%
S t r ong l y a gr e e 52 85.25%
T o t a l num be r of pa r t i c i pa nt s 61
F i gur e 4． S houl d t he c om pa ny / s c hool pr ovi de t r a i ni ng oppor t uni t i e s , I w oul d be g l a d t o
pa r t i c i pa t e .
I n s um , t he r e a r e oppor t uni t i e s f or t he c om pa ny t o bui l d on t he c ur r e nt t r a i ni ng pr ovi de d
t o f ur t he r s uppor t t e a c he r s i n a ddr e s s i ng c ha l l e nge s a s t he y s y s t e m a t i c a l l y i nc or por a t e
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o t he i r l e s s ons . T hus , t hi s or g a ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e i s a c ont i nui ng
ne e d t o be a ddr e s s e d i n C ha pt e r 5.
L e ad e r s h i p N e e d s t o B e T r u s t e d i n T r an s i t i on t o N e w M od e l s of L e ar n i n g
F or ne w m ode l s of l e a r ni ng t o be i nve s t e d i n by t he t e a c he r s , t he y ne e d t o t r us t t ha t t he
l e a de r s hi p w i l l pr ovi de t he s uppor t t he y ne e d dur i ng t he t r a ns i t i on ( T s c ha nne n- M or a n, 2009;
C a r l y o n, 2016; ) . S ur ve y r e s ul t s s how e d t ha t t he c om pa ny c om m uni c a t e s e nc our a ge m e nt s t o
t e a c he r s dur i ng t he i r t e a c hi ng of ne w s ki l l s t o t he s t ude nt s , a s i ndi c a t e d by F i gur e 5. T hi s
s how e d t ha t t he l e a de r s hi p c om m uni c a t e s e nc our a ge m e nt a nd s uppor t s f or t he t e a c he r s ,
w hi c h w e r e unde r s t ood a nd r e c ogni z e d by t he t e a c he r s .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 69
N o. of P a r t i c i pa nt s P e r c e nt a ge
S t r ong l y di s a gr e e 0 0%
7 3 4.92%
8 10 16.39%
9 8 13.1 1 %
S t r ong l y a gr e e 40 65.57%
T o t a l num be r of pa r t i c i pa nt s 61
F i gur e 5．M y c om pa ny / s c hool c om m uni c a t e s e nc our a g e m e nt f or m e t o t e a c h ne w s ki l l s t o
s t ude nt s .
T e a c he r s ’ c onf i de nc e i n t he l e a de r s hi p c om e s f r om a hi s t or y of g ood c om m uni c a t i on a nd
“ c ol l a bor a t i on ” w i t h t he m . F i ve out of t he e i ght i nt e r vi e w pa r t i c i pa nt s s poke a bout ha vi ng
g ood c om m uni c a t i on a nd c ol l a bor a t i on w i t h l e a de r s hi p. S uc h c ol l a bor a t i on w a s pos s i bl e
be c a us e t he l e a de r s hi p r e s pe c t e d a nd unde r s t ood t e a c hi ng a s a s pe c i a l i z e d f i e l d w hi c h s houl d
not be i nt e r f e r e d w i t h by out s i de r s , a nd t hus r e f r a i ne d f r om t oo m uc h i nt e r f e r e nc e . A s poi nt e d
out by T 1, be c a us e t e a c he r s ha ve t e c hni c a l j obs w hi c h r e qui r e e x pe r t i s e , “ t he l e a de r s pe a ks
onl y of m a na ge r i a l i s s ue s , f or i ns t a nc e c om pa ny s t r uc t ur e a nd m a na ge m e nt , a nd f or t e a c hi ng,
t he y g i ve t he a ut onom y t o us . ”
T he i nt e r vi e w s f ur t he r de m ons t r a t e d t ha t t he l e a de r s hi p i n t he c om pa ny w a s a ppr e c i a t e d
a nd t r us t e d f or i t s e x i s t i ng s uppor t a nd s w i f t r e s pons e w he n ne e de d. O ne que s t i on a s ke d t he
i nt e r vi e w pa r t i c i pa nt s how t he y g o a bout g e t t i ng s uppor t f or t e a c hi ng pr e pa r a t i on, i f ne e de d.
I n r e s pons e , t e a c he r s s t a t e d t he y va l ue t he s uppor t f r om c ol l e a gue s f r om t he s a m e l e a r ni ng
c e nt e r , but t he y r e s or t e d t o t he he a dqua r t e r a nd ot he r l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s na t i onw i de a s w e l l .
S e ve n out of t he e i ght pa r t i c i pa nt s r e f e r r e d t o t he he a dqua r t e r a s a s our c e of s uppor t a nd s om e
c om m e nt e d t ha t t he r e s pons e f r om he a dqua r t e r w a s qui c k, w hi c h de m ons t r a t e d t r us t a nd
r e c ogni t i on i n t he he l p t h a t he a dqua r t e r c oul d pr ovi de . T hi s poi nt of vi e w w a s s ha r e d by T 4:
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 70
I f t he r e a r e c ha l l e nge s , t he n of c our s e I w oul d s t udy f or i t , f or e x a m pl e I w oul d s t udy
t he de m o c l a s s e s f r om ot he r t e a c he r s . O r I w oul d di s c us s w i t h ot he r t e a c he r s . Y o u c a n
a l s o di s c us s w i t h t e a c he r s f r om t he he a dqua r t e r a nd a s k f or he l p. T he i r r e s pons e i s
us ua l l y ve r y pr om pt .
T o be t t e r unde r s t a nd w he t he r t he t e a c he r s t r us t t ha t t he y w oul d be s uppor t e d by t he
l e a de r s hi p i n t he t r a ns i t i on t o ne w m ode l s of l e a r ni ng i n t he f ut ur e , t he l a s t que s t i on t o t he
i nt e r vi e w pa r t i c i pa nt s w a s , “ W ha t doe s t he l e a de r s hi p i n t he c om pa ny ne e d t o do t o s uppor t
y o u t o be a bl e t o i m pl e m e nt ne w s ki l l s a nd m ode l s of l e a r ni ng, s uc h a s c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s , i nt o y o ur c our s e s ? ” P a r t i c i pa nt s m e nt i one d t ha t t he y be l i e ve d t ha t t he
l e a de r s hi p w oul d s uppor t t he m t o i m pl e m e nt ne w s ki l l s i n t he c l a s s e s s o l ong a s i t w a s
be ne f i c i a l t o t he s t ude nt s a nd c om m uni c a t e d i n a dva nc e . T 1 r e m a r ke d t ha t :
I f I ha d a ne w t houg ht t o t e a c h s om e s ki l l s or t r y s om e ne w t hi ng s i n m y c l a s s , t he n i n
t hi s s i t ua t i on, no m a t t e r our l e a r ni ng c e nt e r or t he he a dqua r t e r , t he y w oul d
undoubt e dl y s uppor t i t , a s l ong a s i t i s g ood f or t he s t ude nt s ,. W e w e r e pr ovi de d a
s y s t e m a t i c c ur r i c ul um , but dur i ng c l a s s de s i g n ( l e s s on pl a ns ) , w e c oul d do t hi ng s
de e m e d he l pf ul f or s t ude nt ’ s l e a r ni ng by our s e l ve s i n our i ndi vi dua l t e a c hi ng.
T r us t a nd s uppor t i n t he c om pa ny ’ s l e a de r s hi p a r e i m por t a nt t o w or k t ow a r d t he g oa l of
be c om i ng a m ode l f or c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng , a nd i t w a s va l i da t e d t ha t c om pa ny l e a de r s hi p
i s t r us t e d i n pr ovi di ng s uppor t t hr ough c om m uni c a t i on a nd c ol l a bor a t i on. T he r e f or e , t hi s
or ga ni z a t i ona l i nf l ue nc e w a s c ons i de r e d a n a s s e t .
S u m m ar y of O r gan i z at i on al F i n d i n gs
I n g e ne r a l , t e a c he r s vi e w e d t he g oa l s e t by t he c om pa ny a r ound c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
a s r e a l i s t i c a nd be ne f i c i a l t o t he s t ude nt s , t e a c he r s , a nd c om pa ny ’ s c om pe t i t i ve ne s s i n t he
m a r ke t . A l t houg h t he r e a r e c ha l l e nge s r e l a t e d t o pl a nni ng a nd i m pl e m e nt i ng t he g oa l ,
w he t he r i t be c ur r i c ul um , t e a c he r s ’ pr e pa r e dne s s , s t ude nt s ’ l e ve l s , or pa r e nt s ’ c oope r a t i on,
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 71
t he c l e a r l y s e t g oa l a nd t he br a ndi ng c r e a t e d by m a r ke t i ng a c t i vi t i e s w oul d he l p t e a c he r s t o be
w i l l i ng t o e nga ge i n t he pr oc e s s of a c hi e vi ng t he g oa l .
I t w a s a l s o s how n t ha t t e a c he r s a c know l e dge d a nd w e r e s a t i s f i e d w i t h t he s uppor t a nd
he l p t ha t w a s be i ng of f e r e d by t he c om pa ny i n t he i r da i l y t e a c hi ng a c t i vi t i e s , w hi c h w a s
s y s t e m a t i c a nd r e l i a bl e . S houl d f ut ur e a dj us t m e nt be m a de t o s ui t t he g oa l of i nt e g r a t i ng
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o t e a c hi ng, s uc h s t r uc t ur e d s uppor t c oul d s e r ve a s a f ounda t i on f or
t he i m pr ove m e nt of t e a c hi ng.
L a s t l y , t o t he t e a c he r s , l e a de r s hi p m e a ns c om m uni c a t i on, c ol l a bor a t i on, a nd t r us t , w hi c h
w a s e vi de nt i n t he or g a ni z a t i on. S uc h t r us t e d r e l a t i ons hi p c oul d f a c i l i t a t e t he t e a c he r s ’
t r a ns i t i on t o t e a c hi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n t he f ut ur e .
S u m m ar y of F i n d i n gs
I n c om bi ni ng t he a s s um e d know l e dge , m ot i va t i on, a nd or ga ni z a t i ona l ne e ds t o i nt e g r a t e
C T i n c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e s a t A ng o, s e ve n a r e a s w e r e i de nt i f i e d a s c ur r e nt a s s e t s ,
a nd t hr e e w e r e i de nt i f i e d a s c ont i nui ng ne e ds . I n t e r m s of know l e dge ne e ds , t e a c he r s ha ve
a w a r e ne s s a nd ba s i c unde r s t a ndi ng of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng c onc e pt s , how e ve r , t he y l a c k
s y s t e m a t i c a nd i n- de pt h know l e dg e r e ga r di ng t he c onc e pt i t s e l f a nd pe da gogy . I n t e r m s of
m ot i va t i ona l ne e ds , t e a c he r s be l i e ve t ha t C T s ki l l s a r e va l ua bl e f or t he s t ude nt s , t he m s e l ve s
a nd t he c om pa ny , a nd t he y be l i e ve i n t he i r a bi l i t y t o pr e pa r e f or C T t e a c hi ng. I n t e r m s of
or ga ni z a t i ona l ne e ds , A ng o c om pa ny doe s c r e a t e a c ul t ur e of w i l l i ng ne s s f or t e a c hi ng
i m pr ove m e nt t hr ough t r us t e d l e a de r s hi p, how e ve r , t he c om pa ny w oul d ne e d t o pr ovi de
a ddi t i ona l t r a i ni ng oppor t uni t i e s i n f a c e of t he c ha l l e nge s i n t he f ut ur e f or s e t t i ng a na t i ona l
m ode l of c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng c l a s s e s i nt e g r a t i ng t he t e a c hi ng of C T . T he s e t he m e s
s um m a r i z e d a c r os s t he know l e dge , m ot i va t i on, a nd or ga ni z a t i ona l ne e ds a nd a s s e t s a t A ng o
c a l l f or t hr e e m a j or r e c om m e nde d pr opos a l s t ha t w i l l be f ur t he r di s c us s e d i n C ha pt e r 5. T he s e
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 72
pr opos a l s i nc l ude e vi de nc e - ba s e d r e c om m e nda t i ons w i t h a pl a n f or i m pl e m e nt a t i on a nd
e va l ua t i on.
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 73
C H A P T E R F I V E : R E C O M M E N D E D S O L U T I O N S , I M P L E M E N T A T I O N , A N D
E V A L U A T I O N
T hi s s t udy e x a m i ne d how c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i s be i ng t a ug ht a nd c ul t i va t e d t hr ough
pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on i n a f t e r s c hool t r a i ni ng s c hool s i n C hi na t o he l p t he or g a ni z a t i on
r e a l i z e f ut ur e i nt e g r a t i on of C T i nt o s ubj e c t c our s e s . T o be t t e r unde r s t a ndi ng t he pr obl e m of
pr a c t i c e , t he r e s e a r c h que s t i ons g ui di ng t he s t udy e x pl or e d t he know l e dge a nd m ot i va t i on of
t e a c he r s r e l a t e d t o a c hi e vi ng t he g oa l of i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n
t e a c hi ng pr ogr a m m i ng, a nd t he or g a ni z a t i ona l c ont e x t i n w hi c h t he g oa l w a s e m be dde d. I n
a ddi t i on, t he f i na l r e s e a r c h que s t i on a s ke d, “ W ha t a r e t he r e c om m e nda t i ons f or or g a ni z a t i ona l
pr a c t i c e i n t he a r e a s of know l e dge , m ot i va t i on, a nd or g a ni z a t i ona l r e s our c e s ? ” w hi c h w i l l be
a ddr e s s e d i n t hi s c ha pt e r .
T he f i ndi ng s s how e d t ha t t hr e e a s s um e d i nf l ue nc e s w e r e c ont i nui ng ne e d s , i nc l udi ng t w o
know l e dge f a c t or s a nd one or g a ni z a t i on a l f a c t or s ; s e ve n a s s um e d i nf l ue nc e s w e r e c ur r e nt
a s s e t s , i nc l udi ng one know l e dge f a c t or s , t hr e e m ot i va t i on f a c t or s , a nd t w o or g a ni z a t i on a l
f a c t or s , a s i s s how n i n T a bl e 1 1 . T he c ont i nui ng ne e ds a r e t he f oc us f or r e c om m e nda t i ons i n
pr a c t i c e .
T a bl e 1 1
Sum m ar y of E m e r g i ng T he m e s .
A s s u m e d I n f l u e n c e s C o n t i n u i n g
N e e d
C u r r e n t
A s s e t
E m e r gi n g T h e m e s
K now l e dge of t he c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng c onc e pt s .
X
X T e a c he r s ha ve a w a r e ne s s of
C T - r e l a t e d s ki l l s s e t s
T e a c he r s s how ba s i c , not
s y s t e m a t i c unde r s t a ndi ng of
C T c onc e pt s
K now l e dge of how t o i nc or por a t e
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i nt o l e s s on
pl a ns .
X T e a c he r s l a c k of i n- de pt h
know l e dge of pe da gogy
K now l e dge of how t o r e f l e c t on t he i r
ow n e f f e c t i ve ne s s i n i m pl e m e nt i ng
t e a c hi ng m e t hods .
X T e a c he r s de m ons t r a t e e f f or t s
t o r e f l e c t on t e a c hi ng
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 74
T a bl e 1 1 , c ont i nue d
A s s u m e d I n f l u e n c e s C o n t i n u i n g
N e e d
C u r r e n t
A s s e t
E m e r gi n g T h e m e s
T e a c he r s ne e d t o s e e t he va l ue i n
a ddi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s
i n t he i r c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng
c our s e c ur r i c ul um t o pr e pa r e t he
s t ude nt s w i t h 21
s t
c e nt ur y s ki l l s .
X T e a c he r s be l i e ve C T s ki l l s
a r e va l ua bl e
T e a c he r s ne e d t o be l i e ve t he y a r e
c a pa bl e of e f f e c t i ve l y i nt e g r a t i ng
c ur r i c ul um w i t h c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s .
X T e a c he r s be l i e ve i n t he i r
a bi l i t y t o pr e pa r e f or C T
t e a c hi ng
T e a c he r s s houl d w a nt t o s e e
t he m s e l ve s a s pa r t of t he c om pa ny ’ s
l a r g e vi s i on a bout s e t t i ng a na t i ona l
m ode l f or c odi ng c ur r i c ul um .
X T e a c he r s a r e w i l l i ng t o
c ont i nuous l y upda t e l e s s on
pl a ns t o m e e t ne e ds
T he c om pa ny ne e ds t o c ul t i va t e a
c ul t ur e of g e ne r a l a c c e pt a nc e a nd
w i l l i ng ne s s a m ong t he t e a c he r s t o
c ont i nuous l y upda t i ng e x i s t i ng
c our s e s .
X T he c om pa ny doe s c ul t i va t e
a c ul t ur e of w i l l i ng ne s s f or
i m pr ove m e nt
T he c om pa ny ne e ds t o pr ovi de
c ur r i c ul um a nd t r a i ni ng
oppor t uni t i e s f or t e a c he r s t o l e a r n
f r om e f f e c t i ve r ol e m ode l s f r om t he
i ndus t r y w ho ha ve i nt e g r a t e d
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i nt o
c our s e s .
X T he c om pa ny ne e ds t o
pr ovi de c ur r i c ul um upda t e s
a nd a ddi t i ona l oppor t uni t i e s
f or t r a i ni ng
T he c om pa ny ne e ds t o pr ovi de
l e a de r s hi p t ha t i s t r us t e d t o or g a ni z e
a nd s uppor t t e a c he r s dur i ng t he
t r a ns i t i on t o ne w m ode l s of l e a r ni ng.
X L e a de r s hi p ne e ds t o be
t r us t e d i n t r a ns i t i on t o ne w
m ode l s of l e a r ni ng
R e c om m e n d at i on s an d I m p l e m e n t at i on P l an
B a s e d on t he s e f i ndi ng s , t hr e e s ol ut i ons a r e pr opos e d f or A ngo C om pa ny t o m a ke
e f f e c t i ve i t s g oa l of i nt e g r a t i ng C T i nt o pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e c ur r i c ul a t o be c om e a na t i ona l l y
r e c ogni z e d m ode l f or pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on. T he c ont i nui ng ne e ds t o i m pr ove t e a c he r s ’
know l e dge , pe da gogy , a nd c onf i de nc e i n t e a c hi ng C T c oul d a l l be a ddr e s s e d by pr ovi di ng
t r a i ni ng pr ogr a m s . A l s o, a n upda t e d r e c r ui t m e nt pr oc e dur e c oul d he l p t he c om pa ny t o bui l d
a nd c ul t i va t e a c ul t ur e of a c c e pt a nc e a nd w i l l i ng ne s s a m ong t e a c he r s t o i nt e g r a t e C T i n
c l a s s e s . S uc h r e qui r e m e nt s c oul d be s e t a s a be nc hm a r k f or t he pot e nt i a l c a ndi da t e s of A ngo
c om pa ny . T hi r dl y , t he c om pa ny ne e d t o of f e r s uppor t i n upda t i ng t he c ur r i c ul um s o t o pr ovi de
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 75
a f ounda t i on f or t e a c he r s t o i nt e g r a t e C T . I n t he s e c t i ons t ha t f ol l ow , e a c h of t he t hr e e
s ol ut i ons w i l l be de s c r i be d w i t h de t a i l e d a c t i on s t e ps , i nc l udi ng r e s pons i bl e s t a f f a nd t i m e
f r a m e s f or i m pl e m e nt a t i on. P r e l i m i na r y r e s our c e r e qui r e m e nt s a r e a l s o i de nt i f i e d a nd
di s c us s e d. E va l ua t i on of t he pr opos a l s w i l l be di s c us s e d ba s e d on K i r kpa t r i c k & K i r kpa t r i c k ’ s
( 2006) f our - l e ve l s e va l ua t i on f r a m e w or k f or pol i c y .
R e c om m e n d e d S ol u t i on 1: A C om p r e h e n s i ve R e c r u i t i n g P l an
T he s ur ve y s how e d t ha t t e a c he r s ha ve a va gue a nd unve r i f i e d unde r s t a ndi ng of
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . T hi s i s na t ur a l be c a us e t he c om pa ny ha s not e m pha s i z e d t hi s c onc e pt
i n t he c ur r i c ul um or t e a c hi ng e ve n t houg h i t s a dve r t i s e m e nt a nd m a r ke t i ng t e a m ha ve us e d
t hi s c onc e pt f or pr om ot i on. F or a g r ow i ng t e a c hi ng t e a m w i t h ne w c e nt e r s be i ng ope ne d e a c h
y e a r , i t w oul d be be ne f i c i a l t o r e c r ui t f r om c a ndi da t e s w ho a r e a l r e a dy f a m i l i a r w i t h
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s a nd va l ue t he s e s ki l l s t o pr ovi de a m or e qua l i f i e d t e a c hi ng t e a m
f or t he c om pa ny . A c c or di ng t o r e s e a r c h, s e l e c t i on t e s t s c oul d be a r r a nge d t o i de nt i f y pot e nt i a l
c a ndi da t e s i n a ddi t i on t o i nt e r vi e w s ( G us dor f , 2008) . N ot onl y c oul d a ppl i c a nt s be r a t e d on
a pt i t ude , pe r s ona l i t y , a bi l i t i e s , hone s t y a nd m ot i va t i on, t he i r unde r s t a ndi ng a nd s ki l l s c oul d
be m e a s ur e d t hr ough pr ope r l y de s i gne d s e l e c t i on t e s t s ( G us dor f , 2008) . S uc h r e c r ui t m e nt
m e t hods c oul d he l p t o de t e r m i ne i f a n a ppl i c a nt ha s t he ne e de d s ki l l s a nd t he pot e nt i a l t o be
s uc c e s s f ul on t he j ob. T he r e f or e , a n upg r a de d r e c r ui t m e nt pr oc e s s t ha t i nc l ude s a n a s s e s s m e nt
r e l a t e d t o c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng c oul d he l p s hi f t s om e of t he t r a i ni ng pr e s s ur e t o r e c r ui t m e nt
pha s e . S e t t i ng a be nc hm a r k f or r e c r ui t m e nt m a y a l s o a t t r a c t m or e s ui t a bl e c a ndi da t e s , f or
t hos e w i l l i ng t o t a ke t he a s s e s s m e nt m i g ht f i t i n be t t e r w i t h t he c om pa ny ’ s pr om ot i on of a
c ul t ur e w hi c h pr om ot e s t e a c hi ng of C T s ki l l s . M a ki ng t he r e c r ui t m e nt pr oc e s s e f f e c t i ve ove r
t he l ong - t e r m r e qui r e s pl a nni ng . T o e va l ua t e t he r e c r ui t m e nt r e s ul t s , t he num be r of qua l i f i e d
c a ndi da t e s a nd t he f e e dba c k of t he r e c r ui t i ng pr oc e s s c oul d s e r ve a s i ndi c a t or s t o t he pl a n. T o
t ha t e nd, t he f ol l ow i ng s t e ps a r e r e c om m e nde d:
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 76
I m p l e m e n t at i on S t e p 1: T h e c om p an y w i l l f or m a t e ac h i n g e val u at i on c om m i t t e e
w i t h m e m b e r s f r o m w i t h i n an d ou t s i d e of t h e c om p an y i n p r e p ar at i on f or t h e
as s e s s m e n t . B a s e d on t he f i ndi ng s , t he r e i s l i t t l e s y s t e m a t i c know l e dge w i t hi n t he c om pa ny
a bout C T s ki l l s de s pi t e i t s a dve r t i s e m e nt of pr om ot i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . T he r e f or e , a n
e x pe r t t e a m i s r e c om m e nde d t o be f or m e d t o be r e s pons i bl e f or de c i s i ons a r ound how t o be s t
r e c r ui t t e a c he r s i n l i ne w i t h t he c om pa ny ’ s m i s s i on r e l a t e d t o c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . T hi s
c om m i t t e e w oul d be c ha r ge d w i t h r e s e a r c hi ng a nd pr e pa r i ng a n a s s e s s m e nt a bout C T t ha t i s
s ui t a bl e f or A ngo c om pa ny ’ s ne e ds i n t he r e c r ui t m e nt pr oc e s s . C ur r e nt l y , t he r e s e a r c h a nd
de ve l opm e nt ( R & D ) t e a m a t t he he a dqua r t e r s i s r e s pons i bl e f or t he qua l i t y of c ur r i c ul um a nd
t e a c hi ng, s o t he t e a m c a n s t i l l be t he c e nt e r of f oc us i n t hi s pl a n a r ound r e c r ui t m e nt . T he
g e ne r a l m a na ge r w oul d ne e d t o a ppoi nt a qua l i f i e d t e a m l e a de r out of t he t e a c hi ng uni t w ho
c oul d i ni t i a t e de t a i l e d r e s e a r c h pl a ns a bout C T a nd pr ope r a s s e s s m e nt of C T s ki l l s i n
a ppl i c a nt s . W he n ne e de d, e x t e r na l c ons ul t a nt s c oul d be i nvol ve d t o f or m a m or e l ong - t e r m
t e a c hi ng e va l ua t i on c om m i t t e e t o m ove be y o nd r e c r ui t m e nt of t e a c he r s t o e va l ua t i on of
c ur r e nt t e a c hi ng r e l a t e d t o C T .
I m p l e m e n t at i on S t e p 2: A n on l i n e as s e s s m e n t w i l l b e d e ve l op e d an d c on d u c t e d
d u r i n g t h e i n t e r vi e w s . T he t e a c hi ng c om m i t t e e w i l l s ubm i t a pl a n t o out l i ne t he t i m e l i ne a nd
r e s our c e s ne e de d t o c a r r y out t he r e c r ui t m e nt s ol ut i on. A n a s s e s s m e nt f or t he know l e dge a nd
unde r s t a ndi ng of C T s ki l l s ne e ds t o be dr a f t e d s o t ha t hum a n r e s our c e s de pa r t m e nt s c oul d
ut i l i z e t hi s r e s our c e i n i nt e r vi e w s , w he t he r onl i ne or of f l i ne . W he n c a ndi da t e s c om e f or a n
i nt e r vi e w , a n onl i ne a s s e s s m e nt c oul d a l s o be g i ve n t o t he c a ndi da t e s . T he a s s e s s m e nt w oul d
c ol l e c t da t a a bout t he a ppl i c a nt s ’ unde r s t a ndi ng a nd s ki l l s a bout t he m a t e r i a l s , a nd t he r e s ul t s
c oul d be s ubm i t t e d t o t he t e a c hi ng de pa r t m e nt f or e va l ua t i on r e f e r e nc e . S i nc e t he a s s e s s m e nt
w oul d be s t a nda r di z e d f or a l l c a ndi da t e s , i t w oul d be c r i t i c a l t o e ns ur e t ha t i t i s a s r e l i a bl e a nd
va l i d a s pos s i bl e , f or t he r e l i a bi l i t y a nd va l i di t y of a n a s s e s s m e nt i s ke y i n pr e di c t i ng a n
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 77
a ppl i c a nt ’ s s uc c e s s on t he j ob ( G us dor f , 2008) . I n t e r m s of r e l i a bi l i t y , pi l ot t e s t s w oul d ne e d
t o be c a r r i e d out t o m a ke s ur e t ha t c ons i s t e nt r e s ul t s w e r e pr oduc e d e a c h t i m e , m e a ni ng t ha t
one c a ndi da t e w oul d s c or e s i m i l a r l y i n t e s t s c l os e l y da t e d. A s f or r e l i a bi l i t y , i t i s a s s um e d t ha t
t hos e w ho pe r f or m w e l l i n t he a s s e s s m e nt w oul d ha ve hi g he r c ha nc e of s uc c e s s i n t e a c hi ng
C T s ki l l s . I n t hi s s e ns e , pi l ot t e s t s w oul d ne e d t o be c a r r i e d out i n c onj unc t i on w i t h r e a l
c l a s s r oom t e a c hi ng be i ng e va l ua t e d t o m a t c h t he t e s t r e s ul t s .
I m p l e m e n t at i on S t e p 3: T r ai n i n g f or t h e r e c r u i t m e n t t e am . T he be ne f i t s of t he
r e c r ui t m e nt pl a n w oul d not be s uc c e s s f ul w i t hout t he unde r s t a ndi ng a nd s uppor t f r om t he
hum a n r e s our c e de pa r t m e nt , be c a us e m a t e r i a l s di s t r i but i on, a s s e s s m e nt a r r a nge m e nt s , r e s ul t s
c ol l e c t i on, a nd c om m uni c a t i on a r e a l l e x t r a w or kl oa d f or t he r e c r ui t m e nt t e a m . I t m a y e ve n
i m pa c t t he ke y pe r f or m a nc e i ndi c a t or s ( K P I s ) of r e l a t e d w or k s t a f f s i nc e t he i r j ob
r e qui r e m e nt s ha ve c ha nge d. I n r e s pons e t o s uc h c ha l l e nge s , t he g e ne r a l m a na ge r a nd t he
c om pa ny l e a de r s hi p w oul d ne e d t o m obi l i z e t he hum a n r e s our c e s de pa r t m e nt . T r a i ni ng w oul d
ne e d t o be a r r a nge d, pos s i bl y onc e a m ont h, t o e ns ur e t he hum a n r e s our c e s t a f f i s s uppor t i ve
a nd e f f e c t i ve i n t he pl a n. S pe c i f i c a l l y , t he t e a c he r e va l ua t i on t e a m c oul d a r r a nge c a s e s t udy
t r a i ni ng t o he l p t he hum a n r e s our c e s t a f f unde r s t a nd t he a s s e s s m e nt a nd t he i m por t a nc e of i t .
M e s s a gi ng w oul d a l s o ne e d t o be s e nt by t he l e a de r s hi p t e a m t o e m pha s i z e t he i m por t a nc e of
e m br a c i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng , t he i m pa c t s uc h c ha nge m i g ht ha ve on t he j ob m a r ke t , a nd
hum a n r e s our c e s t a f f ’ s r ol e i n i t . F i na l l y , t he K P I s of t he r e c r ui t m e nt t e a m w oul d ne e d t o be
a dj us t e d t o be i n l i ne w i t h t he r e qui r e m e nt s of t he i m pl e m e nt a t i on.
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 78
T a bl e 12
R e c om m e nde d Sol ut i on 1: St e ps , R e s pons i bl e St af f , and T i m e F r am e f or I m pl e m e nt at i on
I n t e r ve n t i on P r op os e d R e s p on s i b l e S t af f T i m e f r am e
T he l e a de r of t he r e s e a r c h pl a n w i l l be a ppoi nt e d by
t he g e ne r a l m a na ge r , a nd t he r e s e a r c h a nd
de ve l opm e nt ( R & D ) t e a m w i l l r e s e a r c h a nd c om pi l e
t he a s s e s s m e nt a bout t he c onc e pt of C T .
H e a d of t e a c hi ng
e va l ua t i on
c om m i t t e e , g e ne r a l
m a na ge r a nd
l e a de r s hi p t e a m
30 da y s
T he t e a c he r uni t w i l l pi l ot t e s t t he a s s e s s m e nt t o
e ns ur e i t s r e l i a bi l i t y a nd va l i di t y .
H e a d of R & D 3- 6 m ont hs
T he r e c r ui t i ng t e a m i n H R uni t w i l l g o t hr ough
t r a i ni ng a bout t he c om pa ny ’ s s t r a t e gy of i nt e g r a t i ng
C T a nd t he us a ge of t he a s s e s s m e nt . K P I of r e l a t e d
s t a f f s e t w i l l be a dj us t e d. T he t e a m w oul d e x e c ut e t he
pl a n i n t he ong oi ng r e c r ui t i ng pr oc e dur e s a nd pr ovi de
a s s e s s m e nt f e e dba c k t o t he R & D t e a m .
H e a d of t he
r e c r ui t m e nt t e a m ,
H e a d of R & D
30 da y s a nd
on g oi ng
R e c om m e n d e d S ol u t i on 2: A S ys t e m at i c T r ai n i n g P r ogr am f or A l l T e ac h e r s T h r o u gh
O n l i n e P l at f or m w i t h a C oh e s i ve T e ac h i n g E val u at i on P l an
T hi s r e s e a r c h pr opos e s a s y s t e m a t i c t r a i ni ng pr ogr a m f or a l l t e a c he r s , i nc l udi ng
pr e - s e r vi c e a nd i n- s e r vi c e t e a c he r s , w i t h a n e va l ua t i on pl a n a nd a f e e dba c k s y s t e m . T he
t r a i ni ng pr ogr a m c oul d be c onduc t e d t hr ough a n onl i ne pl a t f or m w i t h c ont e nt c ons i s t i ng of
vi de os of l e c t ur e s a nd de m o c l a s s e s , f e e dba c k, a nd a s s e s s m e nt s . T hi s r e c om m e nde d s ol ut i on
a i m s t o a ddr e s s t he c ont i nui ng ne e ds f r om t he f i ndi ng s : a t r a i ni ng t o bui l d s y s t e m a t i c
know l e dge a nd i n- de pt h pe da gogy a bout t e a c hi ng C T , on t he ba s i s t ha t t e a c he r s ’ w i l l i ng ne s s
a nd e f f or t w e r e s how n t o be pr e s e nt , but t he r e w e r e g a ps i n t he i r know l e dge . T hi s pr opos e d
s ol ut i on i nvol ve s a n onl i ne pl a t f or m f or t he t e a c he r t r a i ni ng be c a us e i nt e r vi e w r e s ul t s s how e d
t ha t t e a c he r w e r e a l r e a dy f a m i l i a r w i t h t he A ngo onl i ne pl a t f or m f or t e a c hi ng pr e pa r a t i ons f or
pur pos e s of di s t r i but i ng de m o c l a s s , t e a c hi ng m a t e r i a l s , c ur r i c ul um , a nd l e s s on pl a ns . I t i s
r e c om m e nde d t ha t t he c om pa ny bui l ds on t he s e e x i s t i ng f unc t i ons a nd m a ke s t he pl a t f or m a
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 79
c om m uni t y f or s ha r i ng, a na l y z i ng de m o c l a s s e s a nd pr ovi di ng t e a c hi ng m a t e r i a l s of C T , a nd
t o he l p t e a c he r s g e t f e e dba c k on how t o i m pr ove t e a c hi ng.
To be s t ut i l i z e A ngo ’ s onl i ne pl a t f or m , i t c oul d pr ovi de a t ool f or t e a c he r s t o obs e r v e r e a l
t i m e c l a s s r oom t e a c hi ng be s i de s r e c e i vi ng l e c t ur e - s t y l e t r a i ni ng, s o t ha t t e a c he r s c oul d
obs e r ve c l a s s e s f r om a l l l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s c ount y - w i de . T hi s w oul d of f e r pa r t i c ul a r be ne f i t s t o
t e a c he r s w i t hi n s m a l l s c e nt e r w i t h f e w t e a c he r s . A l t houg h obs e r va t i on i s f unda m e nt a l , i t i s
of t e n di s r e ga r de d f or t r a i ni ng f or i n- s e r vi c e t e a c he r s ( F r e e m a n, 1982) . A s w a s de m ons t r a t e d
i n t he f i ndi ng s , pa r t i c i pa nt s de e m e d i t he l pf ul t o w a t c h ot he r t e a c he r s ’ de m o c om put e r
pr ogr a m m i ng c l a s s e s a s pa r t of t he t r a i ni ng pr oc e s s a nd w i s he d f or m or e s ha r i ng of de m o
c l a s s e s f or t he i r l e a r ni ng pur pos e s . T hi s i s e c hoe d by r e s e a r c h s ug ge s t i ng t ha t be s i de s
de ve l opi ng know l e dge a nd unde r s t a ndi ng of c onc e pt s , w hi c h c oul d be de l i ve r e d t hr ough
vi de os , one of t he m a i n c om pone nt s of t r a i ni ng i s t he de m ons t r a t i on or m ode l l i ng of s ki l l
( J oy c e & S how e r s , 2002; S t a r & S t r i c kl a nd, 2008) . A l s o, pa r t i c i pa t i ng i n c ol l a bor a t i ve vi de o
a na l y s i s be ne f i t s t e a c he r s i n i m pr ovi ng t he i r pr of e s s i ona l pr a c t i c e ( F r e de r i ks e n, S i pus i c ,
S he r i n, & W ol f e , 1998) . B a s e d on t hi s , t he s e onl i ne t ool s c oul d be c ons i de r e d a
f unda m e nt a l e l e m e nt of t he pl a t f or m on w hi c h c onc r e t e t r a i ni ng pr ogr a m s a r e c a r r i e d out .
B e s i de s t he onl i ne pl a t f or m , t he t r a i ni ng pr ogr a m ne e ds t o i nt e g r a t e a s t r uc t ur e d f e e dba c k
s y s t e m . F i ndi ngs s how e d t ha t pa r t i c i pa nt s w e r e a bl e t o r e c ogni z e t he i m por t a nc e of t he i r
pe r s ona l e f f or t a nd w e r e w i l l i ng t o put i n t hi s e f f or t i f t he y r e c e i ve d f e e dba c k. T hus ,
pr ovi di ng t r a i ni ng w i t h f e e dba c k w oul d c a t e r t o t he m ot i va t i ona l ne e ds of t he t e a c he r s . T he
i m por t a nc e of f e e dba c k i n t e a c he r t r a i ni ng i s s uppor t e d by r e s e a r c h w hi c h i ndi c a t e s t ha t i t
pr om ot e s t he i m m e di a t e a nd c um ul a t i ve e f f e c t of i nc r e a s i ng t he be ha vi or s t a r ge t e d i n t he
t r a i ni ng w or ks hops ( L e a c h & C ont o, 1999) . A l s o, f or pur pos e s of de ve l opi ng t hi s t r a i ni ng
pr ogr a m , f e e dba c k f r om t he t e a c he r s i n t e r m s of t he i r know l e dge , m ot i va t i on a nd s a t i s f a c t i on
a l s o ne e ds t o be c ol l e c t e d a s a m e a s ur e m e nt f or t he s uc c e s s of t he t r a i ni ng pr ogr a m .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 80
I n or de r t o a t t a c h m or e i m por t a nc e t o t he t r a i ni ng , a ddi t i ona l c r e di t s f r om pa r t i c i pa t i ng i n
t hi s t r a i ni ng c oul d be i nc l ude d i n t he c a r e e r de ve l opm e nt pl a n i n r e f e r e nc e t o pr om ot i on a nd
s a l a r y i nc r e a s e s . T e a c he r r e t e nt i on c oul d a l s o be c ons i de r e d a s a hi g h i ndi c a t or of t he s uc c e s s
of t he t r a i ni ng. D e t a i l s s t e ps t o i m pl e m e nt t hi s r e c om m e nda t i on a r e di s c us s e d be l ow a nd
pr e s e nt e d i n T a bl e 13.
I m p l e m e n t at i on S t e p 1. T r ai n i n g p r ogr am s w i l l b e d e ve l op e d b y t h e t e ac h i n g
c om m i t t e e w i t h t i m e l i n e b e i n g i n d i c at e d . R ol e s s houl d be a s s i g ne d i n t hi s c om m i t t e e w i t h
c l e a r l y de s i g na t e d a c c ount a bi l i t y . A f t e r t he t e a m ha s be i ng e s t a bl i s he d, a n i m pl e m e nt a t i on
pl a n w i t h a t i m e l i ne w oul d ne e d t o be e s t a bl i s he d t o g ui de t he de ve l opm e nt a nd e x e c ut i on of
t he t r a i ni ng pr ogr a m s . I t i s w or t hy t o not e t ha t pa r t i c ul a r c a r e w oul d be ne e de d i n t he de s i g n
of t he l e c t ur e vi de os t o m a x i m i z e t he l e a r ni ng e f f e c t . R e s e a r c h ha s s how n t ha t , a l t houg h
us i ng vi de o i n t e a c he r e d uc a t i o n c a n i nc r e a s e pr e - s e r vi c e t e a c he r s ' a bi l i t y t o a p pl y know l e dge ,
vi de o by i t s e l f i s not e f f e c t i ve ( S e i de l , B l om be r g & R e nkl , 2013) ; vi de os ne e d t o be
e m be dde d i n a ppr opr i a t e i ns t r uc t i ona l c ont e x t s t o r e a c h c onc r e t e l e a r ni ng g oa l s . T hi s w a y ,
t e a c he r s w ho c om pl e t e d t he t r a i ni ng w oul d be a bl e t o e i t he r r e pr oduc e f a c t ua l know l e dge or
e va l ua t e vi de ot a pe d c l a s s r oom s i t ua t i ons .
I m p l e m e n t at i on S t e p 2. N e w m at e r i al s an d f u n c t i on s of t h e on l i n e l e ar n i n g s ys t e m
w i l l b e d e ve l op e d b y t h e t e c h t e am . W hi l e t he t r a i ni ng pr ogr a m f or t e a c he r s i s be i ng
de ve l ope d, r e qui r e m e nt s c onc e r ni ng s uc h pl a ns w i l l be s e nt t o t he I T t e a m f or onl i ne
pr e pa r a t i ons . T he t w o t e a m s w i l l c ol l a bor a t e on m a ki ng s uc h t r a i ni ng a va i l a bl e onl i ne a nd
c onve ni e nt t o us e .
I m p l e m e n t at i on S t e p 3. S t an d ar d s f or e val u at i on an d as s e s s m e n t w i l l b e s e t u p b y
t h e t e ac h i n g e val u at i on c om m i t t e e , w h i c h w i l l b e i n t e gr at e d i n t o t h e t e ac h e r s ’
p e r f or m an c e e val u at i on . T he c om m i t t e e s e r ve s not onl y a s a r e s e a r c h de ve l opm e nt t e a m ,
but a l s o a n e va l ua t i on c e nt e r f or t e a c hi ng. T he r e f or e , a s s e s s m e nt s t a nda r ds a nd t ool s ne e d t o
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 81
be de ve l ope d t o c om pl e t e t he t r a i ni ng pr oc e s s . A s s e s s m e nt w i l l be us e d f or t e a c he r s ’
pe r f or m a nc e a f t e r t he t r a i ni ng i n r e a l c l a s s r oom s i t ua t i ons , a nd t he s t a nda r ds s houl d be
c om pl i a nt w i t h t he c om pa ny ’ s r e qui r e m e nt s f or t e a c hi ng. T he r e s ul t s of t hi s a s s e s s m e nt
w oul d be us e d f or pr om ot i on a nd a nnua l e va l ua t i on f or t e a c he r s .
I m p l e m e n t at i on S t e p 4. A n n u al i s s u an c e of t e ac h i n g aw ar d an d r e c ogn i t i on f or b e s t
p r ac t i c e s . A pa r t f r om t he r out i ne t r a i ni ng a nd e va l ua t i on, c e r e m oni a l oc c a s i ons ne e d t o be
s e t up t o e nc our a ge a nd r e w a r d t e a c he r s . T hi s c oul d he l p t he c om pa ny bui l d a c om pa ny
c ul t ur e t o e nc our a ge t e a c he r s t o i m pl e m e nt C T s ki l l s i n t he i r c l a s s r oom s .
T a bl e 13
R e c om m e nde d Sol ut i on 2: St e ps , R e s pons i bl e St af f , and T i m e F r am e f or I m pl e m e nt at i on
I n t e r ve n t i on P r op os e d R e s p on s i b l e S t af f T i m e f r am e
T he t e a c hi ng c om m i t t e e w i l l de ve l op t he t e a c he r
t r a i ni ng pr ogr a m s w i t h f oc us on c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s .
T e a c hi ng e va l ua t i on
c om m i t t e e
2 m ont hs
T he t e c h t e a m w i l l i nt e g r a t e ne w m a t e r i a l s a nd
de s i gn f unc t i ons i n ne e d i nt o t he onl i ne t e a c hi ng
s y s t e m .
H e a d of t e c h t e a m 40 da y s
T he t e a c hi ng e va l ua t i on c om m i t t e e w i l l s e t
s t a nda r ds f or e va l ua t i on a nd a s s e s s m e nt t ha t w i l l
be i nt e g r a t e d i nt o t he c a r e e r pl a n.
H e a d of t e a c hi ng
e va l ua t i on c om m i t t e e
2 m ont hs
i nc l udi ng pi l ot s
T he t e a c hi ng e va l ua t i on c om m i t t e e w i l l i s s ue
a nnua l t e a c hi ng a w a r d i n r e c ogni t i on of be s t
pr a c t i c e of t e a c hi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng .
H e a d of t e a c hi ng
e va l ua t i on c om m i t t e e
A nnua l l y
R e c om m e n d e d S ol u t i on 3: A n U p d at e d C u r r i c u l u m T h at I n t e gr at e s C om p u t at i on al
T h i n k i n g
T e a c he r s r e l y on t he c ur r i c ul um t o m a ke de c i s i ons a bout w ha t t o t e a c h i n c l a s s . T hus , a
c ur r i c ul um upda t e i s ne c e s s a r y t o m a ke C T s ki l l s a f oc us of c l a s s r oom t e a c hi ng. T he f i ndi ng s
s how e d t ha t t e a c he r s be l i e ve i n t he i r a bi l i t y t o pr e pa r e f or C T t e a c hi ng, pr ovi de d t he y ha d
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 82
upda t e d c ur r i c ul um a nd t r a i ni ng . W i t hout c ha nge s i n c ur r i c ul um , a c ha nge i n t e a c hi ng c oul d
ne i t he r ha ppe n nor be s us t a i na bl e . A c c or di ng t o r e s e a r c h, i nt r oduc t i on of a c om pe t e nc y f oc us
i n e duc a t i on r e qui r e s a s hi f t f r om t he c ont e nt f oc us i n c ur r i c ul a ( C a r e , G r i f f i n, & M c G a w ,
2012) . A ngo ’ s ne w g oa l of i nc l udi ng C T i n da i l y t e a c hi ng r e l i e s on c ur r i c ul um r e f or m ot he r
t ha n c ha nge d a ppr oa c he s t o pe da gogy a nd a s s e s s m e nt . W ha t i s t o be t a ug ht di c t a t e s be s t
m e t hods f or t e a c hi ng a nd be s t m e t hods f or a s s e s s m e nt . T e a c he r s not onl y ne e d t r a i ni ng
( S e nt a nc e e t a l . 2013) but a l s o s uppor t f r om l e a de r s hi p t e a m s t o i m pl e m e nt ne w c our s e s
( S e nt a nc e & C s i z m a di a , 2017) . A s t e a c he r s w e r e a l r e a dy c onc e r ne d a bout t he de pt h a nd
br e a dt h of t he i r s ubj e c t know l e dg e , t he ne w c ur r i c ul um s houl d be w e l l de ve l ope d s o i t c a t e r s
t o t he c ont i nui ng ne e ds of t he t e a c he r s t o s uc c e s s f ul l y i m pl e m e nt C T i n c l a s s .
I t i s w or t h m e nt i oni ng t ha t pol i c y c a n ha ve r he t or i c a l m e a ni ng t ha t m i g ht ha ve i m pa c t
ot he r t ha n t he pol i c y i t s e l f ( M ok, N g , & T e e , 2008) . A c ha nge i n c ur r i c ul um s e r ve s a s a
m e s s a ge t o t he t e a c he r s t ha t t he c om pa ny i s de t e r m i ne d t o w or k t ow a r ds t he g oa l of s e t t i ng a
na t i ona l m ode l f or C T c ur r i c ul um a nd t e a c hi ng, t hus c r e a t i ng a c ul t ur e f or t e a c he r s t o w or k
c ol l e c t i ve l y t ow a r ds t he g oa l .
T o e va l ua t e a nd c ont i nuous l y i m pr ove t he c ur r i c ul um , t e a c he r s ’ us e r f e e dba c k w oul d be
c ons i de r e d a s a m e a s ur e m e nt of e f f e c t i ve ne s s f or t he c ur r i c ul um w i t h s ur ve y s a nd i nt e r vi e w s .
I m p l e m e n t at i on S t e p 1: P l an f or t h e c u r r i c u l u m u p d at e s . T he ne w l y f or m e d t e a c hi ng
c om m i t t e e w oul d l e a d t he r e s e a r c h a nd de ve l opm e nt t e a m t o r e s e a r c h g l oba l be s t pr a c t i c e s
f or t he i m pl e m e nt a t i on of C T s ki l l s i n c odi ng c l a s s e s . T he n, pl a ns c a n be m a de t o i nc l ude
budg e t a nd hum a n c a pi t a l ne e ds , f ol l ow e d w i t h a t i m e l i ne of t hi s pr oj e c t .
I m p l e m e n t at i on S t e p 2: A c q u i r e ap p r oval s f r o m t h e c om p an y . L e a de r s hi p f or m e d by
t he t e a c hi ng uni t , I T uni t , hum a n r e s our c e de pa r t m e nt a nd t he f i na nc e de pa r t m e nt ne e d t o
r e vi e w a nd a ppr ove t he t i m e l i ne pl a n s o c oor di na t i on i s pos s i bl e . T e a c he r s s houl d a l s o be
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 83
c ons ul t e d dur i ng t hi s pr oc e s s t o g a t he r a dvi c e . T he r e qui r e d f i na nc i a l a nd s t a f f i ng i nve s t m e nt
ne e ds t o be r e a dy t o s t a r t t he pr oj e c t .
I m p l e m e n t at i on S t e p 3. T h e R & D t e am d e ve l op s c u r r i c u l u m an d p i l ot s t h e n e w
c u r r i c u l u m f or ad j u s t m e n t . T he c ur r i c ul um ne e ds t o be t e s t e d be f or e f ul l y i m pl e m e nt e d.
T hus , pi l ot t e a c hi ng a bout t he c ur r i c ul um c a n be a r r a nge d, a nd a dvi c e w oul d be c ol l e c t e d
dur i ng t hi s s t a ge f or t he t e a c hi ng c om m i t t e e de pa r t m e nt f or f ut ur e a dj us t m e nt a nd r e vi s i on.
I m p l e m e n t at i on S t e p 4. F u l l i m p l e m e n t at i on of t h e c u r r i c u l u m . O nc e t he c ur r i c ul um
i s m a t ur e a nd r e a dy t o s c a l e , t he t e a c hi ng t e a m c a n w or k on de m o c l a s s e s a nd pe da gogy
ba s e d on t hi s c ur r i c ul um . F e e dba c k c ha nne l s w oul d ne e d t o be e s t a bl i s he d s o t ha t t he
r e s e a r c h a nd de ve l opm e nt t e a m c a n be i nvol ve d, a nd t he c ur r i c ul um c a n c ont i nue t o e vol ve .
T a bl e 14
R e c om m e nde d Sol ut i on 3: St e ps , R e s pons i bl e St af f , and T i m e F r am e f or I m pl e m e nt at i on
I n t e r ve n t i on P r op os e d R e s p on s i b l e S t af f T i m e f r am e
T he r e s e a r c h a nd de ve l opm e nt t e a m w i l l
r e s e a r c h g l oba l be s t pr a c t i c e s a nd m a ke
t i m e l i ne f or t he de ve l opm e nt of t he upda t e d
c ur r i c ul um .
H e a d of R & D t e a m 30 da y s
A ppr ova l s by t he c om pa ny . G e ne r a l m a na ge r 30 da y s
T he t e a c hi ng c om m i t t e e de ve l ops c ur r i c ul um
a nd pi l ot f or a dj us t m e nt .
H e a d of r e c r ui t m e nt
t e a m
2- 3 m ont hs
F ul l i m pl e m e nt a t i on of t he c ur r i c ul um , a nd
a dj us t m e nt s m a de ba s e d on t e a c he r s ’ f e e dba c k.
H e a d of r e s e a r c h a nd
de ve l opm e nt t e a m
ong oi ng
R e s ou r c e R e q u i r e m e n t s
L e ad e r s h i p R e ad i n e s s
A l t houg h s pe c i f i c r e qui r e m e nt s f or t he t hr e e pol i c y r e c om m e nda t i ons di f f e r , t he y
i nva r i a bl y ne e d e f f e c t i ve l e a de r s hi p. A c c or di ng t o t he s ur ve y a nd i nt e r vi e w r e s ul t s , t e a c he r
de e m l e a de r s hi p a s a n i m por t a nt c om pone nt f or t he r e a l i z a t i on of ne w pol i c i e s . A s m e nt i one d
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 84
by on i nt e r vi e w e e , T 8, “ T o i nt e g r a t e C T i nt o c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e , i t ne e ds m or e
r e s our c e s , i nc l udi ng hum a n r e s our c e s a nd c a pi t a l r e s our c e s . T he s e ne e d t o be unde r s t ood a nd
s uppor t e d by t he l e a de r s hi p. ” R e s e a r c h a l s o s how s t ha t l e a de r s s houl d be a bl e t o unde r s t a nd
t he c om pl e x i t i e s of t e a c hi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i n or de r t o be t t e r s uppor t t e a c he r s w or k
( S e nt a nc e & C s i z m a di a , 2017) . T hi s r e a di ne s s of l e a de r s hi p i s ne e de d t o f a c i l i t a t e t he
i m pl e m e nt a t i on of t he r e c om m e nde d s ol ut i ons .
H u m an C ap i t al R e s ou r c e s
A f t e r - s c hool l e a r ni ng i s a n i ndus t r y he a vi l y r e l i a nt on hum a n c a pi t a l , s pe c i f i c a l l y ,
r e s e a r c h a nd de ve l opm e nt t e a m s , t e a c he r s , t e a c hi ng a s s i s t a nt s , a nd c our s e c ons ul t a nt s a r e a l l
hum a n c a pi t a l i nve s t m e nt s f or e f f e c t i ve a f t e r - s c hool l e a r ni ng. T he s e a l l ne e d t o be
w e l l - pr e pa r e d a nd qua l i f i e d s t a f f . S pe c i f i c a l l y , t he hum a n r e s our c e de pa r t m e nt ne e ds t o ha ve
pe r s onn e l a l l oc a t e d s pe c i f i c a l l y f or t he r e c r ui t i ng pr ogr a m a n d t he a nn ua l e v a l u a t i on pr o gr a m ;
a t e a c hi ng c om m i t t e e c ons i s t i ng of e x pe r t s ne e ds t o be a va i l a bl e f or t he dr a f t i ng of t he
c ur r i c ul um a nd a s s e s s m e nt ; t he g e ne r a l m a na ge r of t he c om pa ny ne e ds t o t a ke a c c ount a bi l i t y
of t he t hr e e s ol ut i ons s o t ha t ne e de d l e a de r s hi p i s i n pl a c e . I f hum a n c a pi t a l i s r e a dy , t he n t he
c om pa ny w i l l ha ve a be t t e r c ha nc e a t s uc c e s s f ul l y i m pl e m e nt i ng t he s ol ut i ons .
F i n an c i al R e s ou r c e s
R e c r ui t i ng a nd e s t a bl i s hi ng t e a c hi ng c om m i t t e e s r e qui r e s a ddi t i ona l budg e t a r y
e x pe ndi t ur e s a s do t he r e s e a r c h a nd de ve l opm e nt a nd t e a c he r t r a i ni ng. T he f i na nc i a l
i nve s t m e nt w i l l ne e d t o be e va l ua t e d i n t e r m s of i t s i m pa c t on a c c om pl i s hi ng t he
or g a ni z a t i on ’ s g oa l of c r e a t i ng a na t i ona l l y r e c ogni z e d m ode l f or pr ogr a m m i ng e duc a t i on f or
s t ude nt s a ge d 5 t o 12 by i nc or por a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n a l l pr ogr a m m i ng
c our s e c ur r i c ul um s .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 85
. L e a de r s hi p w oul d ne e d t o t a ke r e s pons i bi l i t y f or s pe a r he a di ng t hi s e f f or t a nd be
a c c ount a bl e f or t he a l l oc a t i on of f i na nc i a l r e s our c e s a s s ur i ng t ha t t he s pe ndi ng pol i c i e s a nd
pr i or i t i e s a r e i n l i ne w i t h t he t hr e e s ol ut i ons .
T e c h n ol ogi c al R e s ou r c e s
F i ndi ngs s ug ge s t t ha t A ngo t e a c he r s c ons ul t e a c h ot he r onl i ne f or a dvi c e on t e a c hi ng ne w
c ur r i c ul a , w hi c h s uppor t s t ha t t he r e i s a n a c t i ve onl i ne c om m uni t y . R e s e a r c h s how s t ha t a l ot
of t he f r us t r a t i on r e por t e d by t e a c he r s i n t e a c hi ng C T a r e r e l a t e d t o c ha l l e nge s w i t h t e c hni c a l
pr obl e m s i nc l udi ng a de qua t e ha r dw a r e a nd s of t w a r e r e s our c e s t o t e a c h t he s ubj e c t , s uf f i c i e nt
f undi ng t o pur c ha s e r e s our c e s f or a ne w s ubj e c t , a nd a w e l l - i ns t a l l e d, c onf i gur e d a nd
m a i nt a i ne d pl a t f or m t ha t t he s c hool ope r a t e s ( S e nt a nc e & C s i z m a di a , 2017) . T o ove r c om e
t he s e c ha l l e nge s r e qui r e s t ha t t he t e c hnol ogy s t a f f a t A ngo be w e l l - pr e pa r e d t o a ddr e s s t he
c ha l l e nge s t ha t m a y a r i s e w i t h t he ne w onl i ne t e a c he r r e c r ui t m e nt , t r a i ni ng , a nd a s s e s s m e nt
pl a t f or m s .
E val u at i on P l an
T o he l p de t e r m i ne w he t he r t he s ol ut i ons f a c i l i t a t e t he g oa l s of t he c om pa ny a r ound
i nt e g r a t i ng C T s ki l l s , a f our - l e ve l e va l ua t i on m ode l f r om K i r kpa t r i c k & K i r kpa t r i c k ( 2006)
c a n be e m pl oy e d . T he s e f our l e ve l s i nc l ude : 1) r e a c t i on of t he pa r t i c i pa nt s t o t he pl a ns ; 2)
l e a r ni ng a nd i m pa c t of t he pl a ns ; 3) be ha vi or s of t he pa r t i c i pa nt s i n t e r m s of t he i r a ppl i c a t i on
of t he l e a r ni ng; a nd 4) t a r g e t e d out c om e s a s a r e s ul t of t he l e a r ni ng ( K i r kpa t r i c k &
K i r kpa t r i c k, 2016) . T hr e e s pe c i f i c r e a s ons t o e va l ua t e t he s ol ut i ons i nc l ude : f i r s t , t o j us t i f y
t he budg e t of t he R & D de pa r t m e nt w i t h t he g oa l t o bui l d a na t i ona l l y r e c ogni z e d c ur r i c ul um
m ode l ; s e c ond, t o e va l ua t e t he e f f e c t i ve ne s s of t e a c he r r e c r ui t m e nt a nd t r a i ni ng pl a ns ; a nd
t hi r d, t o g a t he r i nf or m a t i on on how t o i m pr ove t he s ol ut i ons a nd i m pl e m e nt a t i on f or t he
f ut ur e . P r opos e d s ol ut i on w oul d be e x a m i ne d a t e a c h of t he f our l e ve l s of e va l ua t i on.
L e ve l O n e : R e ac t i on
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 86
K i r kpa t r i c k a nd K i r kpa t r i c k e m pha s i z e t he i m por t a nc e of a s s e s s i ng r e a c t i on i n a l l
e va l ua t i ons f or pur pos e of c us t om e r s a t i s f a c t i on a nd r e pe a t e d bus i ne s s ( 2006) . E va l ua t i on
s he e t s ne e d t o be di s t r i but e d dur i ng di f f e r e nt s t a ge s of t he t hr e e r e c om m e nde d s ol ut i ons , a nd
t he a ns w e r s c oul d be us e d t o c ont i nuous l y i m pr ove t he de s i g n of a nd pr oc e s s r e l a t e d t o t he
s ol ut i ons . F or A ngo t e a c he r s , i f i m pl e m e nt e d e f f e c t i ve l y , t he y w oul d w e l c om e t he t r a i ni ng on
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng a s e x pr e s s e d t hr ough t he i r r e a c t i ons t o i t on e va l ua t i ons a s w e l l a s
r e a c t pos i t i ve l y t o a w a r ds a nd pr om ot i on oppor t uni t i e s a s s oc i a t e d w i t h c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng i n t he i r c ur r i c ul um . S i nc e t he s ol ut i on pr opos e d r e qui r e s t e a c he r s t o pa r t i c i pa t e i n
t r a i ni ng, a t t e nda nc e i t s e l f w oul d not be c ons i de r e d a pos i t i ve r e a c t i on s i g n. T hus , t o f i nd out
w he t he r t e a c he r s a r e r e a c t i ng pos i t i ve l y or ne ga t i ve l y t o t he pr opos e d c ha nge s , s ur ve y s or
r e a c t i on s he e t s w i t h que s t i ons f or c om m e nt w oul d be di s t r i but e d t o t e a c he r s , a s de t a i l e d i n
T a bl e 15. R e a c t i ons c oul d a l s o be m e a s ur e d by obs e r va t i on of pa r t i c i pa t i on i n a c t i vi t i e s a nd
i nt e r vi e w s w i t h t e a c he r s . R e c r ui t e r s f r om hum a n r e s our c e t e a m s c oul d m e a s ur e c a ndi da t e s ’
pe r f or m a nc e dur i ng i nt e r vi e w s a nd f oc us on t he i r r e a c t i ons ( c ha nge s i n a t t i t ude s ) r e ga r di ng
t he t ut or i a l m a t e r i a l s . A dj us t m e nt s w oul d ne e d t o be m a de i f t e a c he r s ’ r e a c t i ons t o t he
m a t e r i a l s w e r e ne ga t i ve , w i t h c ha nge s i nc or por a t e d f or f ut ur e m a t e r i a l i m pr ove m e nt s , a s
de e m e d ne e de d.
T a bl e 15
L e v e l O ne : A s s e s s i ng r e ac t i on
S o l u t i o n
C a t e g o r y
I n t e r v e n t i o n p r o p o s e d M e t h o d s o f A s s e s s m e n t
C o m p r e h e n s i v e
r e c r u i t m e n t p l a n
- T h e t e a c h e r u n i t w i l l d o
r e s e a r c h a n d d r a f t o n l i n e
a s s e s s m e n t s t o e v a l u a t e
c a n d i d a t e s ’ k n o w l e d g e o f
c o m p u t a t i o n a l t h i n k i n g s k i l l s .
- T h e r e c r u i t i n g t e a m i n t h e H R
u n i t w i l l g o t h r o u g h t r a i n i n g s
a b o u t t h e u s e o f t h e r e c r u i t m e n t
a s s e s s m e n t .
- R e a c t i o n s h e e t d i s t r i b u t e d t o a p p l i c a n t s
p r i o r t o t h e i n t e r v i e w r e g a r d i n g t h e q u a l i t y
o f t h e l e a r n i n g m a t e r i a l s
- U s e s m i l e y s h e e t a f t e r t h e i n t e r v i e w f o r
f e e d b a c k o n t h e r e c r u i t m e n t a s s e s s m e n t
- O b s e r v e t h e d i s c u s s i o n a t t h e c o m p a n y
d u r i n g t h e i n t e r v i e w d a y
- N u m b e r o f q u a l i f i e d c a n d i d a t e s p r i o r t o
a n d a f t e r t h e n e w r e c r u i t m e n t p l a n
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 87
T a bl e 15, c ont i nue d
S o l u t i o n
C a t e g o r y
I n t e r v e n t i o n p r o p o s e d M e t h o d s o f A s s e s s m e n t
S y s t e m a t i c
o n - l i n e t e a c h e r
t r a i n i n g
p r o g r a m s
- D e v e l o p m e n t o f t r a i n i n g
p r o g r a m s b y t e a c h i n g c o m m i t t e e .
- T h e t e c h t e a m w i l l i n t e g r a t e
n e w m a t e r i a l s a n d f u n c t i o n s a s
n e e d e d i n t o t h e o n l i n e t e a c h i n g
p l a t f o r m .
- T h e t e a c h i n g e v a l u a t i o n
c o m m i t t e e w i l l s e t s t a n d a r d s f o r
e v a l u a t i o n a n d a s s e s s m e n t t h a t
w i l l b e i n t e g r a t e d i n t o t h e
t e a c h e r s ’ c a r e e r p l a n .
- A n n u a l i s s u a n c e o f t e a c h i n g
a w a r d s a n d r e c o g n i t i o n f o r b e s t
p r a c t i c e s .
- S u r v e y d i s t r i b u t e d t o t e a c h e r s a b o u t t h e
o n l i n e t e a c h i n g p l a t f o r m
- U s e s m i l e y s h e e t f o r t h e t r a i n i n g p r o g r a m s
o n t h e o n l i n e t e a c h i n g p l a t f o r m
C u r r i c u l u m
u p d a t e p l a n
- T h e r e s e a r c h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t
t e a m w i l l d e v e l o p a n u p d a t e d
c u r r i c u l u m w i t h c o m p u t a t i o n a l
t h i n k i n g e m b e d d e d .
- T h e R & D t e a m w i l l p i l o t t h e
u p d a t e d c u r r i c u l u m f o r n e e d e d
a d j u s t m e n t .
- F u l l i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e
c u r r i c u l u m .
- U s e s m i l e y s h e e t f o r f e e d b a c k f r o m t h e
t e a c h e r s o n t h e u p d a t e d c u r r i c u l u m
- I n t e r v i e w s a n d f o c u s g r o u p s w i t h t e a c h e r s
o n t h e i r r e a c t i o n t o a n u p d a t e d c u r r i c u l u m
L e ve l T w o : L e ar n i n g
T he s e c ond l e ve l i s t o e va l ua t e l e a r ni ng w hi c h i nc l ude s : know l e dge l e a r ne d, s ki l l s
de ve l ope d or i m pr ove d, or a t t i t ude s c ha nge d ( K i r kpa t r i c k & K i r kpa t r i c k, 2016) . T o e va l ua t e
l e a r ni ng, a c ont r ol g r oup i s r e c om m e nde d w i t h e va l ua t i on c a r r i e d out bot h be f or e a nd a f t e r a n
i nt e r ve nt i on ( K i r kpa t r i c k & K i r kpa t r i c k, 2016) . F or i ns t a nc e , i n m e a s ur i ng t e a c he r s ’ l e a r ni ng
of t he upda t e d c ur r i c ul um , s ur ve y s c oul d be s e nt t o m e a s ur e know l e dg e a nd a t t i t ude s r e l a t e d
t o c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng be f or e a nd a f t e r t he upda t e d c ur r i c ul um . A l s o, f ol l ow - up
i nt e r vi e w s w i t h t e a c he r s c oul d be he l d, dur i ng w hi c h t e a c he r s c oul d di s c us s w ha t t he y ha ve
l e a r ne d f r om t he c ur r i c ul um . F ut ur e a dj us t m e nt s c oul d t he n be m a de a c c or di ngl y ba s e d on
t he f e e dba c k. D e t a i l e d pl a ns f or t he m e a s ur e m e nt of l e a r ni ng r e l a t e d t o e a c h i nt e r ve nt i on a r e
pr e s e nt e d i n T a bl e 16.
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 88
T a bl e 16
L e v e l T w o : A s s e s s i ng l e ar ni ng and c om m i t m e nt
S ol u t i on
C at e gor y
I n t e r ve n t i on p r op os e d M e t h od s of A s s e s s m e n t
C om p r e h e n s i ve
r e c r u i t m e n t
p l an
- T he t e a c he r uni t w i l l do r e s e a r c h
a nd dr a f t onl i ne a s s e s s m e nt s t o
e va l ua t e c a ndi da t e s ’ know l e dge of
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s .
- T he r e c r ui t i ng t e a m i n t he H R uni t
w i l l g o t hr ough t r a i ni ngs a bout t he
us e of t he r e c r ui t m e nt a s s e s s m e nt .
- S ur ve y a s s e s s i ng hum a n
r e s our c e s ’ c onf i de nc e i n
r e c r ui t i ng a nd s c r e e ni ng t e a c he r s
w i t h C T s ki l l s
- I n t e r vi e w w i t h hum a n r e s our c e s
pe r s ona l on how t o be t t e r r e c r ui t
a nd s c r e e n t e a c he r s w i t h C T
s ki l l s
S ys t e m at i c
on - l i n e t e ac h e r
t r ai n i n g
p r ogr am s
- D e ve l opm e nt of t r a i ni ng pr ogr a m s
by t e a c hi ng c om m i t t e e .
- T he t e c h t e a m w i l l i nt e g r a t e ne w
m a t e r i a l s a nd f unc t i ons a s ne e de d
i nt o t he onl i ne t e a c hi ng pl a t f or m .
- T he t e a c hi ng e va l ua t i on c om m i t t e e
w i l l s e t s t a nda r ds f or e va l ua t i on a nd
a s s e s s m e nt t ha t w i l l be i nt e g r a t e d i nt o
t he t e a c he r s ’ c a r e e r pl a n.
- A nnua l i s s ua nc e of t e a c hi ng a w a r ds
a nd r e c ogni t i on f or be s t pr a c t i c e s .
- P r e / pos t t e s t s on t he onl i ne
t r a i ni ng pr ogr a m t o m e a s ur e
l e a r ni ng r e l a t e d t o c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng
- S ur ve y a s s e s s i ng c onf i de nc e
a nd c om m i t m e nt t o bui l di ng up
t he c om pe t e nc e of t e a c hi ng
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s
C u r r i c u l u m
u p d at e p l an
- T he r e s e a r c h a nd de ve l opm e nt t e a m
w i l l de ve l op a n upda t e d c ur r i c ul um
w i t h c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
e m be dde d.
- T he R & D t e a m w i l l pi l ot t he
upda t e d c ur r i c ul um f or ne e de d
a dj us t m e nt .
- F ul l i m pl e m e nt a t i on of t he
c ur r i c ul um .
- S ur ve y a s s e s s i ng c onf i de nc e
a nd c om m i t m e nt be f or e a nd a f t e r
t he us e of upda t e d c ur r i c ul um
- I n t e r vi e w w i t h t e a c he r s a f t e r t he
us a ge of t he c ur r i c ul um a nd w ha t
t he y ha ve l e a r ne d r e l a t e d t o
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng a nd how
t o e m be d i t i n t he i r c ur r i c ul um
L e ve l T h r e e : B e h avi or
O bs e r vi ng a nd e va l ua t i ng be ha vi or a l c ha nge a nd a ppl i c a t i on of l e a r ni ng c a n be bot h
t i m e a nd r e s our c e c ons um i ng a nd t he t i m i ng of s uc h c ha nge i s di f f i c ul t t o pr e di c t
( K i r kpa t r i c k & K i r kpa t r i c k, 2006) . I t i s a l s o a c r i t i c a l l e ve l f or e va l ua t i on a s no r e a l i m pa c t
c a n be e x pe c t e d unl e s s a pos i t i ve c ha nge i n be ha vi or t a ke s pl a c e ( K i r kpa t r i c k & K i r kpa t r i c k,
2006) . I n t he c a s e of t e a c he r s ’ t r a i ni ng , f or i ns t a nc e , e va l ua t i on l ooks f or e vi de nc e or pr oof of
a c ha nge i n t he t e a c he r ’ s be ha vi or l e a di ng t o t he i nt e g r a t i on of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i n
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 89
l e s s on pl a nni ng a nd c l a s s r oom t e a c hi ng. H ow e ve r , t he t i m e i t t a ke s f or t he s e c ha nge s t o
ha ppe n i s ha r d t o de t e r m i ne ( K i r kpa t r i c k & K i r kpa t r i c k, 2006) . T he r e f or e , a c om bi ne d w a y of
a s s e s s m e nt ne e ds be a dopt e d, i nc l udi ng c l a s s r oom obs e r va t i ons , t e a c he r e va l ua t i ons , a nd
s t ude nt pe r f or m a nc e da t a . S i nc e a n i ndi vi dua l ’ s pr i or know l e dge or e x pe r i e nc e s i s ke y i n
a s s e s s i ng a c ha nge i n l e a r ni ng ( K i r kpa t r i c k & K i r kpa t r i c k, 2006) , a nd t hus a c ha nge i n
be ha vi or , e va l ua t i on ne e ds t o t a ke pl a c e bot h be f or e a nd a f t e r a n i nt e r ve nt i on t a ke s pl a c e .
A not he r c ha l l e nge l i e s i n t he c ont i nui t y of t he de s i r e d be ha vi or , w hi c h c oul d c ha nge or be
t e r m i na t e d a s t he c om p a ny e nvi r onm e nt ( c l i m a t e ) c ha nge s . T he r e f or e , e va l ua t i on ne e ds t o be
r e gul a r l y r e pe a t e d t o a s s e s s w he t he r be ha vi or s a r e c ont i nuous or r e ve r t e d. M e a s ur e m e nt s
r e l a t e d t o e a c h pr opos e d s ol ut i on a r e de t a i l e d i n T a bl e 17.
T a bl e 17
L e v e l T hr e e : A s s e s s i ng be hav i or c hange and appl i c at i on of l e ar ni ng
S ol u t i on
C at e gor y
I n t e r ve n t i on p r op os e d M e t h od s of A s s e s s m e n t
C om p r e h e n s i ve
r e c r u i t m e n t
p l an
- T he t e a c he r uni t w i l l do r e s e a r c h
a nd dr a f t onl i ne a s s e s s m e nt s t o
e va l ua t e c a ndi da t e s ’ know l e dge of
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s .
- T he r e c r ui t i ng t e a m i n t he H R uni t
w i l l g o t hr ough t r a i ni ngs a bout t he
us e of t he r e c r ui t m e nt a s s e s s m e nt .
- I n t e r vi e w a nd obs e r ve ne w
t e a c he r s t hr e e m ont hs a f t e r
a dm i s s i on i nt o t he c om pa ny t o
di s c us s t he i r us e of t he l e a r ni ng ( i f
a ny )
S ys t e m at i c
on - l i n e t e ac h e r
t r ai n i n g
p r ogr am s
- D e ve l opm e nt of t r a i ni ng
pr ogr a m s by t e a c hi ng c om m i t t e e .
- T he t e c h t e a m w i l l i nt e g r a t e ne w
m a t e r i a l s a nd f unc t i ons a s ne e de d
i nt o t he onl i ne t e a c hi ng pl a t f or m .
- T he t e a c hi ng e va l ua t i on
c om m i t t e e w i l l s e t s t a nda r ds f or
e va l ua t i on a nd a s s e s s m e nt t ha t w i l l
be i nt e g r a t e d i nt o t he t e a c he r s ’
c a r e e r pl a n.
- A nnua l i s s ua nc e of t e a c hi ng
a w a r ds a nd r e c ogni t i on f or be s t
pr a c t i c e s .
- S ur ve y of t e a c he r s a nd t he i r
s upe r vi s or s 3 m ont hs a nd 6 m ont hs
a ga i n a f t e r t he t r a i ni ng pr ogr a m .
- O bs e r va t i on i n c l a s s f or be ha vi or
c ha nge be f or e a nd a f t e r t he t r a i ni ng
- A s s e s s s t ude nt s ’ pe r f or m a nc e da t a
f or i m pr ove m e nt s f ol l ow i ng
pa r t i c i pa t i on i n t he on- l i ne t r a i ni ng
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 90
T a bl e 17, c ont i nue d
S ol u t i on
C at e gor y
I n t e r ve n t i on p r op os e d M e t h od s of A s s e s s m e n t
C u r r i c u l u m
u p d at e p l an
- T he r e s e a r c h a nd de ve l opm e nt
t e a m w i l l de ve l op a n upda t e d
c ur r i c ul um w i t h c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng e m be dde d.
- T he R & D t e a m w i l l pi l ot t he
upda t e d c ur r i c ul um f or ne e de d
a dj us t m e nt .
- F ul l i m pl e m e nt a t i on of t he
c ur r i c ul um .
- E vi de nc e of t e a c he r s r e - vi s i t i ng
t he onl i ne pl a t f or m f or m or e
r e s our c e s
- O bs e r va t i on i n c l a s s r oom s f or
be ha vi or c ha nge be f or e a nd a f t e r
t he us e of c ur r i c ul um
- A s s e s s s t ude nt s ’ pe r f or m a nc e da t a
f or i m pr ove m e nt s f ol l ow i ng t he
c ur r i c ul um upda t e
L e ve l F ou r : I m p ac t
A t l e ve l f our , m e a s ur e s a r e t a ke n t o de t e r m i ne t he r e s ul t s or i m pa c t of t he
i m pl e m e nt e d s ol ut i ons , f or e ve n i f c ha nge s t a ke s pl a c e i n l e a r ni ng or be ha vi or , pos i t i ve
r e s ul t s s t i l l m i g ht not be a c hi e ve d ( K i r kpa t r i c k a nd K i r kpa t r i c k, 2006) . D ur i ng t hi s s t a ge , t he
c om pa ny ne e ds t o r e f l e c t upon t he s ol ut i ons t ha t ha ve t a ke n pl a c e a nd e x a m i ne w he t he r t he s e
s ol ut i ons ha ve m a de a pos i t i ve i m pa c t on t he c om pa ny ’ s g oa l t o ha ve a na t i ona l l y r e c ogni z e d
t e a c hi ng c ur r i c ul um i nt e g r a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . T he r e f or e , i t i s i m por t a nt t o
c ons t r uc t m e t hods t o de t e r m i ne t he r e s ul t s s o t ha t e vi de nc e of pos i t i ve r e s ul t s c a n be
i de nt i f i e d. S i nc e t he s ol ut i ons i nc l ude a r e c r ui t m e nt pl a n, a t e a c he r t r a i ni ng pl a n, a nd a
c ur r i c ul um pl a n, t he e x pe c t e d out c om e s of t he s e pl a ns a r e c onc r e t e , r a ngi ng f r om qua l i f i e d
C T t e a c he r s , i m pr ove d C T t e a c hi ng, a w e l l - a c c e pt e d c ur r i c ul um , i m pr ove m e nt s i n s t ude nt s ’
pe r f or m a nc e , i nc r e a s e d s t ude nt e nr ol l m e nt a t A ng o c e nt e r s , a nd na t i ona l r e c ogni t i on.
M e a s ur e m e nt r e l a t e d t o e a c h pr opos e d s ol ut i on a r e pr ovi de d i n T a bl e 18.
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 91
T a bl e 18
L e v e l F our : A s s e s s i ng i m pac t
S ol u t i on
C at e gor y
I n t e r ve n t i on p r op os e d M e t h od s of A s s e s s m e n t
C om p r e h e n s i ve
r e c r u i t m e n t
p l an
- T he t e a c he r uni t w i l l do r e s e a r c h a nd
dr a f t onl i ne a s s e s s m e nt s t o e va l ua t e
c a ndi da t e s ’ know l e dge of
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s .
- T he r e c r ui t i ng t e a m i n t he H R uni t
w i l l g o t hr ough t r a i ni ngs a bout t he us e
of t he r e c r ui t m e nt a s s e s s m e nt .
- F e e dba c k on t he r e c r ui t i ng
pr oc e s s
- P e r c e nt a ge of qua l i t y
a ppl i c a nt s t ha t e nt e r t he
i nt e r vi e w pr oc e s s
- P e r c e nt a ge of qua l i f i e d
a ppl i c a nt s t ha t a c c e pt pos i t i ons
S ys t e m at i c
on - l i n e t e ac h e r
t r ai n i n g
p r ogr am s
- D e ve l opm e nt of t r a i ni ng pr ogr a m s by
t e a c hi ng c om m i t t e e .
- T he t e c h t e a m w i l l i nt e g r a t e ne w
m a t e r i a l s a nd f unc t i ons a s ne e de d i nt o
t he onl i ne t e a c hi ng pl a t f or m .
- T he t e a c hi ng e va l ua t i on c om m i t t e e
w i l l s e t s t a nda r ds f or e va l ua t i on a nd
a s s e s s m e nt t ha t w i l l be i nt e g r a t e d i nt o
t he t e a c he r s ’ c a r e e r pl a n.
- A nnua l i s s ua nc e of t e a c hi ng a w a r ds
a nd r e c ogni t i on f or be s t pr a c t i c e s .
- E vi de nc e of t e a c he r s
i nt e g r a t i ng c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng i n da i l y t e a c hi ng
- T e a c he r s r e c ogni z e d a nd
a w a r de d f or i m pl e m e nt i ng be s t
pr a c t i c e s
- I m pr ove d r e t e nt i on r a t e of
t e a c he r s
C u r r i c u l u m
u p d at e p l an
- T he r e s e a r c h a nd de ve l opm e nt t e a m
w i l l de ve l op a n upda t e d c ur r i c ul um
w i t h c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
e m be dde d.
- T he R & D t e a m w i l l pi l ot t he upda t e d
c ur r i c ul um f or ne e de d a dj us t m e nt .
- F ul l i m pl e m e nt a t i on of t he
c ur r i c ul um .
- A c c e pt a nc e of ne w c ur r i c ul um
by t e a c he r s
- I m pr ove m e nt of s t ude nt s ’
pe r f or m a nc e
- P os i t i ve f e e dba c k on
c ur r i c ul um f r om s t ude nt s a nd
pa r e nt s
- - I n c r e a s e d s t ude nt e nr ol l m e nt
a c r os s c e nt e r s
- N a t i ona l r e c ogni t i on
T he K i r kpa t r i c k & K i r kpa t r i c k ’ s ( 2006) f our l e ve l s of e va l ua t i on f r a m e w or k of f e r s a
s y s t e m a t i c pa t h t o a s s e s s t he i m pl e m e nt a t i on of t he t hr e e s ol ut i ons . L i t e r a t ur e ha s e m pha s i z e d
t he i m por t a nt r ol e of t e a c he r s i n i m pl e m e nt i ng c ur r i c ul um c ha nge s i n c om put e r r e l a t e d
s ubj e c t s ( T hom ps on, A ndr e a e a nd R obi ns , 2013) . H e nc e , w i t h t he f oc us of e va l ua t i on on
t e a c he r s a s t he m a j or s t a ke hol de r , t he i r r e a c t i on, l e a r ni ng, a ppl i c a t i on, a nd pe r f or m a nc e w i l l
de t e r m i ne t he s uc c e s s of t he i m pl e m e nt a t i ons . H ow e ve r , s i nc e a ppl i c a t i on of know l e dge
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 92
r e qui r e s r e pe t i t i on, pr a c t i c e , a nd a pos i t i ve c l i m a t e , A ngo c om pa ny s houl d a l s o be r e a l i s t i c
a bout t he c ont i nui t y of t he c ha nge s a nd i m pa c t a nd be pr e pa r e d t o e x a m i ne t he out c om e s
r e l a t e d t o c os t s a nd be ne f i t s ove r t i m e f or t he opt i m a l s us t a i na bl e s ol ut i ons .
F u t u r e R e s e ar c h
B a s e d on t he f r a m e w or k of C l a r k a nd E s t e s ’ ( 2008) g a p a na l y s i s , t hi s s t udy f ound t ha t
t e a c he r s ne e d m or e i n- de pt h know l e dge on c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s a nd how t o e m be d
t he m i n t he i r c ur r i c ul um . T hi s s ug ge s t s t he ne e d f or a ddi t i ona l r e s e a r c h i n c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s i n r e l a t i on t o c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng. W he n t hi s a r e a of know l e dge i s m or e
s ophi s t i c a t e d a nd w e l l s pr e a d, t e a c he r s a r e m or e l i ke l y t o be e xpos e d t o s uc h i nf or m a t i on, a nd
t hus m or e pr e pa r e d t o us e t hi s know l e dge ( A nge l i , 2016) .
I n a ddi t i on, t he r e i s c ur r e nt l y l i t t l e r e s e a r c h on pa r e nt s ’ i nvol ve m e nt i n c ul t i va t i ng
c hi l dr e n ’ s a w a r e ne s s i n c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s ( L i n & L i u, 2012) . A w or t hy a r e a of
f ut ur e s t udy i s t o f i nd out how pa r e nt - c hi l d c ol l a bor a t i on c oul d he l p w i t h c hi l dr e n ’ s
unde r s t a ndi ng of c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng , w hi c h c oul d i n t ur n a f f e c t c hi l dr e n ’ s pe r f or m a nc e
i n r e l a t e d t a s ks . A f t e r a l l , bot h t e a c he r s a nd pa r e nt s a r e e s s e nt i a l m e di a t or s a nd f a c i l i t a t or s i n
t he pr oc e s s of c hi l dr e n ’ s l e a r ni ng, w i t h t he ul t i m a t e g oa l be i ng c hi l dr e n ’ s a c qui r e m e nt of t he
s ki l l s t he m s e l ve s .
A t hi r d s ug ge s t i on f or f ut ur e r e s e a r c h w oul d be how t o i nf us e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
s ki l l s i n s c hool s y s t e m s , e s pe c i a l l y w i t h s ubj e c t s of m a t he m a t i c s or S T E M ( s c i e nc e ,
t e c hnol ogy , e ngi ne e r i ng, m e c ha ni c s ) r e l a t e d s ubj e c t s . R e s e a r c h ha s di s c us s e d t he i m por t a nc e
of i nt e g r a t i ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i n s c hool s ( V oogt , 2015; S e t t l e e t a l . , 2012; B a r r ,
H a r r i s on, & C one r y , 2011; B a l a ns ka t & E ng l e ha r t , 2014) , y e t a n a ddi t i ona l f oc us of r e s e a r c h
c o ul d be or i e nt e d m or e t ow a r ds t he i m pl e m e nt a t i o n a nd e va l ua t i o n of c om p ut a t i o na l t hi nk i ng.
F i n a l l y , t hi s r e s e a r c h s t udi e d c om pu t a t i ona l t hi nki n g i n t he s e t t i ng of a f t e r s c hoo l t r a i ni ng, a nd,
t he r e f or e , i t s f i ndi ng s i n t hi s uni que s e t t i ng m i g ht not a ppl y i n ot he r s e t t i ng s . A f t e r s c hool
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 93
t r a i ni ng a l s o m e a ns t ha t pa i d t ui t i on i s t he pr e r e qui s i t e f or c hi l dr e n t o l e a r n a bout
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng . R e s e a r c h f oc us e d on how t o be t t e r i nt e g r a t e c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
w i t hi n t he s c hool c ur r i c ul a w oul d a l l ow m or e s t ude nt s t o pot e nt i a l l y be ne f i t a nd g r e a t e r
e qui t y t o be a c hi e ve d w i t h e ve r y s t ude nt ha vi ng a c ha nc e t o pa r t i c i pa t e .
C on c l u s i on
T hi s s t udy e x pl or e d how c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng a m ong y o ut h c a n be c ul t i va t e d t hr ough
t e a c hi ng c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng. T o do s o, t he know l e dge , m ot i va t i on, a nd or g a ni z a t i ona l
ne e ds of c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng t e a c he r s i n a f t e r s c hool l e a r ni ng c e nt e r s i n C hi na w e r e t he
f oc us of t hi s r e s e a r c h. C om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s a r e i nhe r e nt l y c onne c t e d w i t h c om put e r
pr ogr a m m i ng , a nd t he y a r e c ons i de r e d one i m por t a nt 21
s t
- c e nt ur y s ki l l t ha t s t ude nt s s houl d
a c qui r e t o ul t i m a t e l y pr e pa r e s oc i e t i e s w i t h a w e l l - qua l i f i e d w or kf or c e t o s e r ve t he
t e c hnol ogy e c onom y . A t t he s a m e t i m e , c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i s of t e n not e m be dde d i n
c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e w or k f or s t ude nt s .
B a s e d on t he f i ndi ng s f r om t hi s r e s e a r c h, t o f a c i l i t a t e t he de ve l opm e nt of c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng a m ong y o ut h, r e c om m e nde d s ol ut i ons i nc l ude d t e a c he r r e c r ui t m e nt , t e a c he r t r a i ni ng
a nd c ur r i c ul um r e vi s i ons . I t i s hope d t ha t s uc h i nt e r ve nt i ons c oul d he l p a c hi e ve t he g oa l of
e m be ddi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s w i t hi n a na t i ona l l y r e c ogni z e d c ur r i c ul um i n
s uppor t of s t ude nt s ’ 21
s t
c e nt ur y s ki l l s de ve l opm e nt .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 94
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E duc a t i on ( Q S I T E ) on be ha l f of t he A us t r a l i a n C ounc i l f or C om put e r s i n E duc a t i on.
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ht t p: / / w w w . i f i p2015.m i i .vu.l t
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C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 107
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ht t p: / / c dm d.c nki .c om .c n/ A r t i c l e / C D M D - 10445- 1018210082.ht m
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C om put i ng E duc a t i on ( T O C E ) , 14( 1) , 5.
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ht t p: / / w w w . z j z s .ne t / m oba n/ i nde x/ 108382.ht m l
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 108
A ppe ndi x A : I n t e r vi e w P r ot oc ol
I w oul d s t a r t by g r e e t i ng a nd g i vi ng t ha nks t o t he t e a c he r s f or a gr e e i ng t o pa r t i c i pa t e i n
m y s t udy . T hi s i nt e r vi e w w i l l t a ke a bout 40 m i nut e s , a l t houg h w e ha ve a l l oc a t e d a n hour t o
be f l e x i bl e .
I a m c ur r e nt l y e nr ol l e d i n a doc t or a l pr ogr a m i n e duc a t i on a t t he U ni ve r s i t y of S out he r n
C a l i f or ni a i n t he U S , a nd a m c onduc t i ng a s t udy t o e x pl or e t he t e a c hi ng a nd l e a r ni ng of
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng i n c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng c l a s s e s w i t h e a r l y e duc a t i on t e a c he r s .
I w oul d l i ke t o s a y upf r ont t ha t I a m not he r e t o m a ke a pr of e s s i ona l a s s e s s m e nt or
j udg m e nt of y o ur pe r f or m a nc e a s a t e a c he r . I a m s i m pl y he r e a s a r e s e a r c he r c ol l e c t i ng da t a
f or m y s t udy . W ha t e ve r i nf or m a t i on y o u s ha r e w i t h m e w i l l be s e nt t o y o u f or c he c k- up
be f or e I pl a c e i t i nt o m y s t udy a s r a w da t a . I w oul d l i ke t o e m pha s i s t ha t t hi s i nt e r vi e w i s
c om pl e t e l y c onf i de nt i a l , s o a pa r t f r om m e , no one or e nt i t y w i l l ha ve a c c e s s t o y o ur na m e or
r e s pons e s . F or c a s e s w he r e I m a y e nga ge i n ut i l i z i ng a di r e c t quot e f r om y o u i n m y s t udy , t he
s a m e pr i nc i pl e a s a bove s t i l l a ppl i e s . I w i l l di s c r e t e l y g ua r d a ga i ns t a ny pot e nt i a l di s c l os ur e
of i de nt i f y i ng da t a i nf or m a t i on r e l a t e d t o y o u. A nd I w i l l g l a dl y pr ovi de y o u w i t h a c opy of
m y f i na l pr oduc t upon r e que s t .
D ur i ng t he i nt e r vi e w , f or t he pur pos e of doc um e nt i ng da t a a s a c c ur a t e l y a s pos s i bl e , I
w i l l be ut i l i z i ng a r e c or di ng de vi c e . T hi s r e c or di ng a s pa r t of t he da t a f r om t hi s i nt e r vi e w , w i l l
not be di s c l os e d t o a ny pe r s on or e nt i t y out s i de t he s c ope of t hi s pr oj e c t . I t w i l l t he n be
de s t r oy e d a f t e r one a nd ha l f y e a r s f r om t he da t e m y di s s e r t a t i on de f e ns e i s a ppr ove d.
W i t h t ha t , do y o u ha ve a ny que s t i ons a bout t he s t udy be f or e w e g e t s t a r t e d? I f not , I
w oul d l i ke y o ur pe r m i s s i on t o be g i n a nd r e c or d t hi s i nt e r vi e w .
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 109
B ac k gr ou n d q u e s t i on s : 1. W hy di d y o u be c om e a c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng t e a c he r a t
A ngo c om pa ny ?
2. W ha t y e a r di d y o u s t a r t t e a c hi ng c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng i n
t he c om pa ny ?
K - C : T e a c he r s ne e d
know l e dge of t he
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng
c onc e pt s .
K - P : T e a c he r s ne e d t he
know l e dg e of how t o
i nc or por a t e c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng i nt o pr ogr a m m i ng
l e s s on pl a ns .
K - M : T e a c he r s ne e d t he
know l e dge of how t o r e f l e c t
on t he i r ow n e f f e c t i ve ne s s i n
i m pl e m e nt i ng t e a c hi ng
m e t hods t o t he t e a c hi ng a i m s
of s pe c i f i c c l a s s .
1. T e l l m e a bout t he t y p e s of s ki l l s ne e de d by t he s t ude nt s t ha t
y o u w or k t o i nt e g r a t e i nt o y o ur t e a c hi ng ( f or i ns t a nc e i n
t e r m s of y o ur l e s s on pl a ns ) ? ( F ol l ow up que s t i on : C a n y o u
g i ve m e a n e x a m pl e ? )
2. I f a ne w t e a c he r a s ke d y o u t o e x pl a i n c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s t o t he m , w ha t w oul d y o u s a y ?
3. W ha t do y o u t hi nk a r e s om e of t he “ t e a c hi ng m e t hods ”
r e l a t e d t o c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng , i f a ny ?
4. H ow do y o u r e f l e c t on y o ur e f f e c t i ve ne s s i n i m pl e m e nt i ng
t e a c hi ng m e t hods t o t he t e a c hi ng a i m s of s pe c i f i c c l a s s e s ?
( F ol l ow up que s t i on: C a n y o u t e l l m e a bout a t i m e w he n
y o u r e f l e c t e d on y o ur e f f e c t i ve ne s s a nd m a de a dj us t m e nt s
t o y o ur t e a c hi ng m e t hods ? )
M - V a l u e : T e a c he r s ne e d t o
s e e t he va l ue i n a ddi ng
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s
i n t he i r c om put e r
pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e
c ur r i c ul um t o pr e pa r e t he
s t ude nt s w i t h 21
s t
c e nt ur y
s ki l l s .
M - s e l f - e f f i c ac y: T e a c he r s
ne e d t o be l i e ve t he y a r e
c a pa bl e of e f f e c t i ve l y
i nt e g r a t i ng c ur r i c ul um w i t h
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s .
1. W ha t a r e s om e r e a s ons a t e a c he r m i g ht w a nt t o i m pl e m e nt
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng c ont e nt f or s t ude nt s i nt o t he i r
c ur r i c ul um f or c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng, i f a ny ? ( F ol l ow up
que s t i ons : A ) S om e pe opl e s a y t ha t c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s a r e not i m por t a nt t o i m pl e m e nt . W ha t a r e
y o ur t houg ht s ? B ) I s t hi s s om e t hi ng y o u m i g ht w a nt t o
i nc or por a t e i nt o y o ur c ur r i c ul um - w hy or w hy not ? )
2. H ow pr e pa r e d do y o u f e e l t o i m pl e m e nt c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng i n y o ur c l a s s ? ( T hi s que s t i on i s f or t e a c he r s w ho
t hi nk t he y i m pl e m e nt c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng a l r e a dy ) .
( F ol l ow up que s t i on : T e l l m e a bout a t i m e y o u
s uc c e s s f ul l y i nt e g r a t e d c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s i nt o
y o ur c ur r i c ul um ) L o oki ng i nt o t he pot e nt i a l of t e a c hi ng
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng , how do y o u f e e l a bout y o ur
a bi l i t y ? ( T hi s que s t i on i s f or t e a c he r s w ho do not know or
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 1 1 0
w ho t hi nk t he y ha ve not i m pl e m e nt e d c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng )
O - c u l t u r al m od e l : T he
c om pa ny ne e ds t o c ul t i va t e a
c ul t ur e of g e ne r a l a c c e pt a nc e
a nd w i l l i ng ne s s a m ong t he
t e a c he r s t o c ont i nuous l y
upda t i ng e x i s t i ng c our s e s .
O - c u l t u r al s e t t i n g: T he
c om pa ny ne e ds t o pr ovi de
t r a i ni ng oppor t uni t i e s f or
t e a c he r s t o l e a r n f r om
e f f e c t i ve r ol e m ode l s f r om t he
i ndus t r y w ho ha ve i nt e g r a t e d
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s
i nt o c our s e s .
O - c u l t u r al s e t t i n g: T he
c om pa ny ne e ds t o pr ovi de
l e a de r s hi p t ha t i s t r us t e d t o
or g a ni z e a nd s uppor t t e a c he r s
dur i ng t he t r a ns i t i on t o ne w
m ode l s of l e a r ni ng.
1. W ha t do y o u t hi nk a bout t he c om pa ny s e t t i ng a g oa l f or i t s
c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng pr ogr a m s t o be a na t i ona l m ode l ?
( F ol l ow up que s t i on: W ha t w oul d t he be ne f i t s of t ha t be ? /
W ha t w oul d t he l i m i t a t i ons of t ha t be ? )
2. H ow doe s t he c om pa ny c ur r e nt l y s uppor t y o u t o i m pr ove
i n y o ur t e a c hi ng a nd t o l e a r n be s t pr a c t i c e s i n
i m pl e m e nt i ng y o ur c ur r i c ul um , i f a t a l l ?
3. I f y o u ne e d s uppor t w i t h y o ur t e a c hi ng pr e pa r a t i on, how
do y o u c ur r e nt l y g o a bout g e t t i ng i t ?
4. W ha t doe s t he l e a de r s hi p i n t he c om pa ny ne e d t o do t o
s uppor t y o u t o be a bl e t o i m pl e m e nt ne w s ki l l s a nd m ode l s
of l e a r ni ng, s uc h a s c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s , i nt o
y o ur c our s e s ?
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 1 1 1
A P P E N D I X B : S U R V E Y P R O T O C O L
D e a r t e a c he r s ,
M y na m e i s E r i n Y A O , a doc t or a l c a ndi da t e f r om R os s i e r S c hool of E duc a t i on, U ni ve r s i t y of
S out he r n C a l i f or ni a . I a m c onduc t i ng a r e s e a r c h s t udy a s pa r t of m y di s s e r t a t i on t o
unde r s t a nd t e a c he r s ’ i nvol ve m e nt of t e a c hi ng c om put e r t hi nki ng s ki l l s t hr ough c om put e r
pr ogr a m m i ng. Y o u a r e i nvi t e d t o pa r t i c i pa t e i n t he s t udy t o s ha r e y o ur i ns i g ht s w hi c h i s
c om pl e t e l y vol unt a r y . T he onl i ne s ur ve y i s c ons i s t e d of m ul t i pl e - c hoi c e que s t i ons w hi c h i s
a nt i c i pa t e d t o t a ke no m or e t ha n 5 m i nut e s t o c om pl e t e . Y o u a r e a l s o w e l c om e d t o pa r t i c i pa t e
i n a n i n- pe r s on or onl i ne i nt e r vi e w a t a f ut ur e da t e i f i nt e r e s t e d. T o vol unt e e r , s i m pl y a ns w e r
t he l a s t que s t i on a nd l e a ve y o ur c e l l phone i nf or m a t i on, or r e pl y t o t he e m a i l :
y a o y i ng@ us c .e du .
I f y o u w oul d l i ke t o pa r t i c i pa t e , pl e a s e be gi n t he s ur ve y vi a t he l i nk he r e . P l e a s e not e t ha t t he
s ur ve y w i l l be c l os e d by O c t obe r 20t h . Y o ur i de nt i t y a s a pa r t i c i pa nt w i l l r e m a i n c onf i de nt i a l
a nd a l l r e s e a r c h da t a w i l l be a nony m ous .
I f y o u ha ve a ny que s t i ons , pl e a s e f e e l f r e e t o c ont a c t m e a t y a o y i ng@ us c .e du or
1361 1 850521. T ha nk y o u i n a dva nc e f or y o ur pa r t i c i pa t i on,
E r i n Y A O
D oc t or a l C a ndi da t e - R os s i e r S c hool of E duc a t i on
U ni ve r s i t y of S out he r n C a l i f or ni a
S U R V E Y Q U E S T I O N S
D e m ogr ap h y q u e s t i on s : 1. W ha t i s y o ur g e nde r ?
O pe n- e nde d que s t i on.
2. W ha t i s y o ur e duc a t i on ba c kgr ound? ( c he c k a l l
t ha t a ppl i e s )
A : T hr e e - y e a r c ol l e ge
B : B a c he l or D e gr e e
C : M a s t e r D e gr e e
C O M P U T A T I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D C O M P U T E R P R O G R A M M I N G 1 1 2
D : D oc t or a t e D e gr e e
E : ot he r s
F : C om put e r r e l a t e d
G . E duc a t i on r e l a t e d
H . S c i e nc e r e l a t e d
I . M a t h r e l a t e d
J . ot he r s
K . H i g he s t de gr e e pur s ue d i n C hi na
L . H i g he s t de gr e e pur s ue d ove r s e a s
M - V a l u e : T e a c he r s ne e d t o s e e t he va l ue
i n a ddi ng c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s
i n t he i r c om put e r pr ogr a m m i ng c our s e
c ur r i c ul um t o pr e pa r e t he s t ude nt s w i t h
21
s t
c e nt ur y s ki l l s .
M - s e l f - e f f i c ac y: T e a c he r s ne e d t o
be l i e ve t he y a r e c a pa bl e of e f f e c t i ve l y
i nt e g r a t i ng c ur r i c ul um w i t h
c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s .
3. T o w ha t e x t e nt do y o u a gr e e t ha t c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng ( C T ) s ki l l s a r e i m por t a nt f or s t ude nt s
a s 21
s t
c e nt ur y s ki l l s ?
4. I f e e l c a pa bl e of i m pl e m e nt i ng ne w c ont e nt t ha t
e m pha s i z e s C T s ki l l s i nt o m y l e s s on pl a ns
O - c u l t u r al m od e l : T he c om pa ny ne e ds
t o c ul t i va t e a c ul t ur e of g e ne r a l
a c c e pt a nc e a nd w i l l i ng ne s s a m ong t he
t e a c he r s t o c ont i nuous l y upda t i ng
e x i s t i ng c our s e s .
O - c u l t u r al s e t t i n g: T he c om pa ny ne e ds
t o pr ovi de t r a i ni ng oppor t uni t i e s f or
t e a c he r s t o l e a r n f r om e f f e c t i ve r ol e
m ode l s f r om t he i ndus t r y w ho ha ve
i nt e g r a t e d c om put a t i ona l t hi nki ng s ki l l s
i nt o c our s e s .
O - c u l t u r al s e t t i n g: T he c om pa ny ne e ds
t o pr ovi de l e a de r s hi p t ha t i s t r us t e d t o
or g a ni z e a nd s uppor t t e a c he r s dur i ng t he
t r a ns i t i on t o ne w m ode l s of l e a r ni ng.
5. I a m s uppor t i ve of t he c om pa ny be c om i ng a
na t i ona l m ode l f or c odi ng c ur r i c ul um by
i nt e g r a t i ng C T s ki l l s
6. I a m w i l l i ng t o c ont i nuous l y upda t e m y e x i s t i ng
c ur r i c ul um , a s ne e de d
7. I t hi nk t ha t i nc or por a t i ng C T s ki l l s i n
c ur r i c ul um de s i gn s houl d be a pr i or i t y of m y
c om pa ny
8. T he c om pa ny g i ve s m e s uppor t on how t o
i nt e g r a t e ne w s ki l l s i nt o m y c our s e s
9. I t w oul d be va l ua bl e t o m e t o ha ve a ddi t i ona l
t r a i ni ng oppor t uni t i e s t o l e a r n f r om e f f e c t i ve
r ol e m ode l s w ho ha ve i nt e g r a t e d c om put a t i ona l
t hi nki ng s ki l l s i nt o c our s e s .

Abstract (if available)

Abstract Computational thinking (CT), as a critical complex problem-solving skill, is recognized as a 21st century competency that all students should develop (Barr, Harrison, & Conery, 2011; Wing, 2006). With increasing attention being placed on early programming education, it is important to evaluate the quality of teaching and learning outcomes of programming, especially in relation to computational thinking with focus on early school-age children. This dissertation addresses the problem of practice of the current lack of computational thinking being taught and cultivated through programming education, with programming a common approach and an important way to integrate computational thinking (Lye & Koh, 2014; Selby, 2012, 2014). In particular, this study attempts to understand the circumstances and factors impacting the learning of computational thinking to identify ways to advance the teaching and development of computational thinking for our students, especially in areas of teachers' knowledge, motivations and skills.
The findings showed that in terms of knowledge needs, teachers have awareness and basic understanding of computational thinking concepts, however, they lack systematic and in-depth knowledge regarding the concept itself and pedagogy. In terms of motivational needs, teachers believe that CT skills are valuable for the students, themselves and the company, and they believe in their ability to prepare for CT teaching. In terms of organizational needs, Ango company does create a culture of willingness for teaching improvement through trusted leadership, however, the company would need to provide additional training opportunities in face of the challenges in the future for setting a national model of computer programming classes integrating the teaching of CT.
Based on these findings, three solutions are proposed for Ango Company to make effective its goal of integrating CT into programming course curricula to become a nationally recognized model for programming education. The continuing needs to improve teachers' knowledge, pedagogy, and confidence in teaching CT could all be addressed by providing training programs. Also, an updated recruitment procedure could help the company to build and cultivate a culture of acceptance and willingness among teachers to integrate CT in classes. Such requirements could be set as a benchmark for the potential candidates of Ango company. Thirdly, the company need to offer support in updating the curriculum so to provide a foundation for teachers to integrate CT.

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University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses

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Asset Metadata

Creator Yao, Ying (author)

Core Title Building computations thinking through teaching of computer programming: an evaluation of learning centers in China

School Rossier School of Education

Degree Doctor of Education

Degree Program Global Executive

Degree Conferral Date 2020-08

Publication Date 07/28/2022

Defense Date 07/28/2020

Publisher University of Southern California (original), University of Southern California. Libraries (digital)

Tag computational thinking,computer programming,gap analysis,learning centers,OAI-PMH Harvest

Language English

Contributor Electronically uploaded by the author (provenance)

Advisor Krop, Cathy Sloane (dissertation committee chair)

Creator Email erinyao8520@126.com,yaoying@usc.edu

Permanent Link (DOI) https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-oUC11663922

Unique identifier UC11663922

Legacy Identifier etd-YaoYing-8808

Dmrecord 348730

Document Type Dissertation

Rights Yao, Ying

Type texts

Source University of Southern California (contributing entity), University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses (collection)

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Repository Name University of Southern California Digital Library

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Repository Email cisadmin@lib.usc.edu