Exploring methods, tools and challenges in teaching programming to children : a comprehensive review of approaches and best practices
Διερεύνηση μεθόδων, εργαλείων και προκλήσεων στη διδασκαλία προγραμματισμού σε παιδιά : μια συνολική ανασκόπηση προσεγγίσεων και βέλτιστων πρακτικών
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Keywords
Computational thinking ; Programming education ; Gamification ; Education ; Visual programming languages ; Project-based learning ; Inclusive education ; Teacher professional development ; Assessment ; Programming education ; Play-based learningAbstract
As the digital era progresses, it is crucial to teach children programming to help them develop computational thinking and problem-solving skills. This paper aims to explore various ways of teaching coding, the resources used and the difficulties that teachers encounter when introducing coding to young children. The strategies include unplugged activities, visual programming, gamification, project-based learning, and collaborative tasks which also help in the development of creativity and teamwork. Of course, the activities are made to be suitable for the age of the children while also being challenging enough. The resources range from block-based programming languages to robotics kits, to coding games, to text-based programming languages for beginners. Each of the tool was nicely designed to make coding easily accessible and enjoyable, while at the same time introducing the child to basic programming concepts. The major challenges in this case include handling the cognitive load, making the content accessible to all types of learners, lacking resources for teacher professional development, and maintaining students’ interest. Furthermore, conventional testing methods are inadequate to evaluate children’s coding abilities. It also re-echoes the best practices in using play and project work-based learning, collaboration and the availability of resources for teacher professional development. It also stresses on the need to create positive learning environments for children and make them more inclusive. Therefore, this research is a proof of the need for new and innovative ways of delivering programming education and shall serve as a reference for the development of future education.
Department
Σχολή Τεχνολογιών Πληροφορικής και Επικοινωνιών. Τμήμα ΠληροφορικήςNumber of pages
127Language
EnglishCollections
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Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα
Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα