ERIC Number: EJ1202419
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0737-0008
EISSN: N/A
Ecological Design-Based Research for Computer Science Education: Affordances and Effectivities for Elementary School Students
Harlow, Danielle B.; Dwyer, Hilary A.; Hansen, Alexandria K.; Iveland, Ashley O.; Franklin, Diana M.
Cognition and Instruction, v36 n3 p224-246 2018
This article integrates an ecological approach and design-based research in computer science education research by following the simultaneous development of a computer programming environment and curriculum for elementary school age children over 2-1/2 years. We studied the alignment of the affordances provided by the programming environment and curriculum with the effectivities of students in 4th through 6th grade (9-12 years old). We used the computer science concept of initializing as a tracer idea and both qualitative and quantitative data to identify mismatches between the affordances provided by our programming environment and the learners' effectivities. These included requisite mathematical skills, confusion between resetting and setting up, and incorrectly assuming that features of the programming environment conveyed information. We then describe how we addressed the mismatches by removing or adding functionality to the programming environment, adding signifiers, adapting the curriculum to include scaffolding related to the effectivities, or removing activities.
Descriptors: Computer Science Education, Elementary School Students, Programming, Scaffolding (Teaching Technique), Teaching Methods, Longitudinal Studies, Mathematics Skills, Psychological Patterns, Learning Processes, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Program Descriptions, Cognitive Ability
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 4; Intermediate Grades; Grade 5; Middle Schools; Grade 6
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: CNS1240985