Abstract:

We Present an initiative of M.Ed. track in Educational Technology for teachers who have no background in coding or computer science. One of this track goals is to introduce the concept of Computational Thinking in its broad meaning and prepare the students for using this concept in their teaching in K-8 education, in various subject areas.

The approach of this track is combining computational thinking with creative learning and design thinking. Students are required to develop creative solutions to educational challenges of various types that are meaningful for them, using Microbits, Tinybit robots, and compatible sensors. They engage in a design process in which they prepare their projects, study the influence on their students, and reflect on their own learning and teaching. Each project involves the 4 P's as introduced by Resnick's creative learning method: Projects, Passion, Peers and Play.

The learning process is scaffolded the same way we believe teachers should scaffold their students' learning process: The first project is easier than the second one, with less open parameters, and more instruction, and so on until the final project which is open ended. The level of coding required increases gradually, building on existing codes examples in the Makecode and Scratch websites. This moderated gradient helps students to get used to the new concepts of computational thinking, but it cannot and shouldn't prevent them from feeling frustrated when something doesn't work as expected, seems too difficult or fails. Since dealing with frustration and failure is one of the main competencies needed in the 21st century, we see this experience as a necessary part of the studies. Students are provided with tools we hope they will be able to provide their own students: online and offline platforms for expressing their feelings, mentors who can provide feedback and help students get back on track, and the theme that failure is just a step in the process that will lead you further. We will present student projects' samples, together with analysis of the group and personal process they experienced.

Keywords:

Computational Thinking, Robots, Creative Learning.