Abstract:

Most European countries have well-designed curricula for teaching informatics and information technology in primary schools. These curricula cover interesting topics that are related to the development of information, algorithmic thinking, programming skills, and digital skills of children. The technical equipment of the schools is also satisfactory. However, the situation is different in developing countries where the technical equipment is either lacking or insufficient. Schools in such countries often lack computers, programmable toys, robotic kits, and other educational tools essential to acquiring children's digital skills. Even if they have educational programs, objectives, and standards correctly and appropriately developed. There is often a lack of adequate teaching staff, as well as school equipment and Internet connection to use virtual, simulation and emulation tools. In this paper, the authors present the possibility of adopting the procedure for solving practice tasks and teaching methods from the basic university course “Introduction to Computational Thinking”. Other practical tasks and their sample solutions are from the subject "Informatics in Elementary School" from the teacher's study program. These tutorials and methodological guidelines can significantly help computer science teachers in developing countries teach coding and programming to children from an early age. Such methodical assistance will contribute to improving the digital culture, literacy, and skills of teachers and their students and create prerequisites for teaching the subject of informatics to primary school pupils using digital educational tools. In addition, it will allow teachers to supplement their materials and educational programs with modern and relevant topics, learning procedures and teaching methods. In this study, the authors provide examples of experiences in teaching an “Introduction to Computational Thinking” course to students with little or no programming experience and consider how these examples can be implemented in teaching computer science in primary schools.

Keywords:

Informatics, computer science, computational thinking, digital skills, children, programming, primary school.