A2 Review article, Literature review, Systematic review
Computational Thinking in Programming with Scratch in Primary Schools : A Systematic Review (2021)


Fagerlund, J., Häkkinen, P., Vesisenaho, M., & Viiri, J. (2021). Computational Thinking in Programming with Scratch in Primary Schools : A Systematic Review. Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 29(1), 12-28. https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.22255


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsFagerlund, Janne; Häkkinen, Päivi; Vesisenaho, Mikko; Viiri, Jouni

Journal or seriesComputer Applications in Engineering Education

ISSN1061-3773

eISSN1099-0542

Publication year2021

Volume29

Issue number1

Pages range12-28

PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons

Publication countryUnited States

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1002/cae.22255

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessPartially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/68923

Additional informationSpecial Issue: Computational Thinking for STEAM and Engineering Education


Abstract

Computer programming is being introduced in educational curricula, even at the primary school level. One goal of this implementation is to teach computational thinking (CT), which is potentially applicable in various computational problem-solving situations. However, the educational objective of CT in primary schools is somewhat unclear: curricula in various countries define learning objectives for topics, such as computer science, computing, programming or digital literacy but not for CT specifically. Additionally, there has been confusion in concretely and comprehensively defining and operationalising what to teach, learn and assess about CT in primary education even with popular programming akin to Scratch. In response to the growing demands of CT, by conducting a literature review on studies utilising Scratch in K–9, this study investigates what kind of CT has been assessed in Scratch at the primary education level. As a theoretical background for the review, we define a tangible educational objective for introducing CT comprehensively in primary education and concretise the fundamental skills and areas of understanding involved in CT as its “core educational principles”. The results of the review summarise Scratch programming contents that students can manipulate and activities in which they can engage that foster CT. Moreover, methods for formatively assessing CT via students’ Scratch projects and programming processes are explored. The results underpin that the summarised “CT-fostering” programming contents and activities in Scratch are vast and multidimensional. The next steps for this research are to refine pedagogically meaningful ways to assess CT in students' Scratch projects and programming processes.


Keywordsprogrammingthinkingmathematical thinkingprogramming languagesprimary and lower secondary education

Free keywordscomputational thinking; programming; Scratch; assessment; primary school


Contributing organizations


Related research datasets


Ministry reportingYes

Reporting Year2021

JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2024-10-03 at 19:57