ERIC Number: EJ1311484
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Oct
Pages: 32
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0735-6331
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Exploring Factors That Influence Computational Thinking Skills in Elementary Students' Collaborative Robotics
Stewart, William H.; Baek, Youngkyun; Kwid, Gina; Taylor, Kellie
Journal of Educational Computing Research, v59 n6 p1208-1239 Oct 2021
Recently educational robotics has expanded into curriculum beyond traditional STEM fields, and which can also be used to foster computational thinking (CT) skills. Prior research has shown numerous interdisciplinary benefits related to CT, however, these influential factors have often been investigated with relatively few variables. This study investigated factors that may lead to 4th and 5th grade elementary school students' development of computational thinking skills in collaborative robotics activities by hypothesizing a model which proposed that a problem solving inventory, intrinsic motivation, and enjoyment were the main predictors of computational thinking skills. The model was then tested by surveying students with several psychometric inventories where a revised model was then constructed. The study found significant relationships between perceived competence and enjoyment, and learning motivation, and intrinsic motivation. Another important finding was that problem solving was a significant predictor of computational thinking skills. Results were interpreted with reference to implications for possible means of improving learning outcomes when using collaborative robotics in an educational setting.
Descriptors: Thinking Skills, Problem Solving, Computation, Elementary School Students, Robotics, STEM Education, Grade 4, Grade 5, Cooperative Learning, Student Motivation, Predictor Variables, Student Attitudes, Correlation, Self Efficacy, Psychological Patterns, Cognitive Style
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 4; Intermediate Grades; Grade 5; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Idaho
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Learning Style Inventory
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A