An integrated approach for teaching computational thinking by problem solving

• Grant number: 14/26560-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: March 01, 2015
• End date: February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computing Methodologies and Techniques
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo de Oliveira Anido
• Grantee: Ricardo de Oliveira Anido
• Host Investigator: Jeff Kramer
• Host Institution: Instituto de Computação (IC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Imperial College London, England

Abstract

This project aims to develop an integrated framework for teaching computational thinking and computer programming to students of all levels, but specially to primary and secondary level students. To that end, we propose to build software tools, to be used by teachers and students, to develop and practice computational thinking and computer programming, instrumented with tools to analyze student-produced solutions so that learning outcomes can be objectively measured. We will also investigate motivational techniques and pedagogical approaches, and develop a curriculum framework to induce a broader interest of computer science, and to promote the introduction of computational thinking and computer programming in Brazilian schools. The Brazilian Olympiad in Informatics will be used both as a platform for deploying the tools and resources developed by the project, and as a medium for analyzing the project effectiveness. The project will be developed at Imperial College, London, one of the leading universities of the world, in England, which is one of the first countries where computer programming skills are being introduced in school curricula at all levels, starting at primary school, after a government decision in 2012. (AU)