The Development of Computational Thinking among Middle School Students Creating Computer Games

本研究通过对中学生计算思维的概念化和测量，有助于加深对非正式环境下STEM教与学的理解。三个研究问题将被解决：1)什么是中学计算思维的合适定义？2)创建计算机游戏是否促进计算思维？3)在什么情况下，结对编程比单独编程在计算思维中产生更大的收益？这项研究将持续三年。大约240名学生将在16周的时间里使用讲故事的爱丽丝制作3D动画游戏。参与者将参加两个学区的扩展学习项目，其中主要包括拉丁裔和白人学生。课程将被随机分配到配对或单独编程的条件下。结对的学生将选择他们的伴侣，并将对纵向相互依赖的数据进行统计分析。数据将包括考试前和考试后的调查、访谈、计算机记录数据、观察、学生游戏、录像带和表现评估。他们还将采用分组随机对照试验；随机化将按类别进行，以进行配对编程或单独编程。定性和定量数据将衡量计算思维、学生编程体验、与伙伴的亲密程度、情感和在计算机上的行为。该项目将提供证据，证明与单独开发技术游戏相比，结对工作的力量有多大，它的目的是为讨论计算思维的意义提供信息。

This is a research project that would contribute to further understanding of STEM teaching and learning in informal settings by conceptualizing and measuring computational thinking for middle school students. Three research questions will be addressed: 1) What is an appropriate definition of computational thinking in middle school? 2) Does creating a computer game promote computational thinking? 3) Under what conditions does pair programming produce greater gains in computational thinking than solo programming? The study will be conducted over three years. Approximately 240 students will use Storytelling Alice to create 3-D animation games over 16 weeks. Participants will be drawn from extended learning programs in two school districts that include primarily Latino and white students. Classes will be randomly assigned to either pair or solo programming conditions. Paired students will choose their partners and statistical analyses designed for longitudinal dyadic interdependent data will be conducted. Data will include pre and post-test surveys, interviews, computer logging data, observations, students games, videotape, and performance assessments. They will also employ a group-randomized controlled trial; randomization will be by class to either a pair programming or solo programming condition. The qualitative and quantitative data will measure computational thinking, students experience programming, closeness with partner, affect, and behavior on the computer. The project will produce evidence about the strength of working in pairs compared with working on technology games alone and it is intended to inform discussions of the meaning of computational thinking.