Simultaneously Fostering Computational Thinking and Social-Emotional Competencies in 4th Graders Using Scratch: A Feasibility Study

Katharina Maitz, Lisa Paleczek, Claudia Danielowitz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference paperpeer-review

Abstract

Social-emotional skills and computational thinking are related to problem-solving skills. Even though these are crucial areas in today's world, they are only rarely taught in school and interventions that target these areas simultaneously are still very rare. We therefore developed a four-day workshop with the aim of fostering computational thinking and social-emotional skills in Grade 4 students. To do so, we used the child-friendly programming language Scratch. In the present paper, we investigate the feasibility of such a workshop. In total, 18 students participated. Data was collected via observation and interviews and analysed by qualitative content analysis. Results showed that students liked working with Scratch and liked working on social-emotional challenges. The workshop was found to work well and students worked independently. Pair work activity was found to be particularly beneficial. Although some issues initially proved challenging (mostly relating to "how to"issues in Scratch), these may easily be addressed by making suitable adaptations to the introduction of the program provided on Day 1 of the workshop.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMensch und Computer 2022
Subtitle of host publicationFacing Realities, MuC 2022 - Proceedings
EditorsMax Muhlhauser, Christian Reuter, Bastian Pfleging, Thomas Kosch, Andrii Matviienko, Kathrin Gerling, Sven Mayer, Wilko Heuten, Tanja Doring
PublisherAssociation of Computing Machinery
Pages399-403
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9781450396905
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 Sept 2022
EventMensch und Computer Conference 2022: Facing Realities - Darmstadt, Germany
Duration: 4 Sept 20227 Sept 2022

Publication series

NameACM International Conference Proceeding Series

Conference

ConferenceMensch und Computer Conference 2022
Abbreviated titleMuC 2022
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityDarmstadt
Period4/09/227/09/22

Keywords

  • computational thinking
  • primary school
  • programming
  • social-emotional competencies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
  • Software

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