Abstract:

Basic digital education is becoming an important topic, also at primary level. Computational thinking is seen as one of the basic conditions for fostering students' problem-solving thinking skills in primary school. In the field of early computing education, however, there are no empirically founded competence models available yet. Nevertheless, experts agree that playful methods of programming, e.g. with robots, can foster computational thinking and creativity. Enhancing creativity is an important task in primary education and is also one of the key skills required for 21st century learning.

First programming with Ozobots, which are small robots that can be programmed with color codes, is part of a research project of the University College for Teacher Education in Lower Austria. By using the method of lesson study, it will be investigated if aspects of creativity in programming Ozobots can be identified or differences between girls and boys can be determined.

The purpose of this paper is to show how an introduction to programming with Ozobots in a child-friendly way can be successful at primary level. It will also be shown how computing education can be located in primary school. In addition, the results of the lesson study research will be presented.

Keywords:

Computational Thinking, creativity, primary school, computer science, lesson study.