Abstract:

The Industrial Revolution 5.0, typically the advancement of ChatGPT, requires educators to redesign their teaching and learning methodologies to impact the learning process. In line with this, the students are required to think critically and solve problems with their practical skills. Therefore, it is essential to educate the young generation about problem solving during their academic years through innovative pedagogy. Computational Thinking (CT) is a thought process, similar to an inquiry as a mode of thinking, which can support problem solving. With the rapid adoption of computers and related technology, this study presented the innovative integration of CT with Problem-Based Learning (PrBL) and Project-Based Learning (PjBL) with microcontroller and sensor technologies. CT integrated with PrBL and PjBL, known as CT-PrBL-PjBL, involves decomposing a real-life problem into smaller units and designing algorithms to solve them by creating artefacts based on analysis, design, and revising those artefacts. However, the students lack developed problem-solving skills. It is a challenge for students to apply computational thinking skills during their studies if they do not have a platform to experience them. Hence, this study aimed to explore the scaffolding of computational thinking through PrBL and PjBL approaches among pre-university students through hands-on projects in a computing course. The study population was the Foundation in Arts (FIA) students for the session 2022/2023 of the University of Technology Sarawak, a Sarawak State University in Malaysia. The 600 pre-university students were assigned a team-based assignment where they needed to solve a real-life problem using a microcontroller and electronic sensors. A mixed method that consisted of a questionnaire and focus group discussion was employed. In this study, positive results were obtained for both knowledge and soft skills from the 459 respondents who returned the questionnaires voluntarily. The findings showed that the students cultivated the 21st-century soft skills of the 4Cs (Creativity, Critical thinking, Communication and Collaboration) and technical knowledge of microcontrollers, sensors and coding. The students expressed their happiness and sense of accomplishment in the learning process. This study can greatly contribute to the framework of CT integration and implementation with PrBL and PjBL in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education.

Keywords:

21st Century Skills, Computational Thinking, Pre-university Students, Problem-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning.