The Value of Computational Thinking Across Grade Levels

计算思维的价值（VCT）项目结合了罗格斯大学DIMACS中心、数学及其应用联盟（COMAP）、科罗拉多州立大学、霍巴特和威廉史密斯学院、计算机科学教师协会、五个合作学区开发并测试一套12个课程模块，旨在让高中学生和他们的老师参与到应用计算概念和方法在各种科学背景下解决问题的过程中。从项目的角度来看，计算思维可以被看作是数学建模的一种特殊形式。在特定领域中，计算思维的产物是一种情境的模型，一种情境的结构和表示，它使计算能够用于回答问题、解决问题、控制过程、预测结果或增强理解。由于计算思维在STEM和STEM教育中是一个相对较新的概念，因此很少有可用的课程材料来支持旨在培养理解、思维习惯和相关具体技术的教学。VCT项目的基本目标是回答一个工程研究问题：“什么样的教学材料和学习经验将培养有效的计算思维技能和态度？”VCT项目正在应用设计研究过程，包括开发、试点测试和修订的迭代阶段，以生产原型教学材料，这些材料将作为独立的课程模块或收集到不同的包中以支持完整的高中课程。项目实地测试评估将提供初步证据，证明这些材料在培养学生理想学习方面的有效性。STEM和STEM教育中计算思维的支持者认为，它为解决特定学科和跨学科环境中的问题提供了一种强大的通用方法。他们还认为，如果教学得当，它可以为计算机科学和其他计算密集型领域的职业提供有效的介绍和吸引力。因此，VCT项目的长期目标是扩大计算机科学和相关技术领域的参与。正在设计具有特殊功能的材料，以提高其实现这一目标的有效性。

The Value of Computational Thinking (VCT) project combines the talents and resources of STEM professionals at the Rutgers University DIMACS Center, the Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications (COMAP), Colorado State University, Hobart and William Smith College, the Computer Science Teachers Association, and five partner school districts to develop and test a set of 12 curriculum modules designed to engage high school students and their teachers in the process of applying computational concepts and methods to problem solving in a variety of scientific contexts. The project perspective is that computational thinking can be usefully thought of as a specialized form of mathematical modeling. The product of computational thinking in a particular domain is a model of a situation, a structuring and representation of the situation, that enables computations to be performed to answer questions, solve problems, control processes, predict consequences, or enhance understanding. Since computational thinking is a relatively new construct in STEM and STEM education, there are few available curriculum materials to support instruction intended to develop the understanding, habits of mind, and specific techniques that are involved. The fundamental goal of the VCT project is to answer an engineering research question: "What kinds of instructional materials and learning experiences will develop effective computational thinking skills and attitudes?" The VCT project is applying a design research process involving iterative phases of development, pilot testing, and revision to produce prototype instructional materials that will be useful as stand-alone curriculum modules or when collected into different packages to support full high school courses. Project field test evaluation will provide preliminary evidence about the efficacy of the materials in developing desired student learning.Proponents of computational thinking in STEM and STEM education have argued that it offers a powerful general approach to problem solving in discipline-specific and inter-disciplinary settings. They also argue that, when properly taught, it can provide an effective introduction and attraction to careers in computer science and other computing-intensive fields. Thus the VCT project has a long-term goal of broadening participation in computer science and related technology fields. Materials are being designed with special features to enhance their effectiveness in reaching this objective.