Abstract:

Search algorithms are an important part of the field of Artificial Intelligence. They have many real-world applications such as traffic routing, scheduling, optimization problems, data retrieval and processing, and industrial processes that include changing or fine-tuning different parameters. Therefore, it is important to include topics covering the search algorithm concepts in the school curriculum, but teaching and understanding these concepts have proven to be difficult and demanding. Of course, it is not entirely realistic to expect that young children know all the concepts related to search algorithms, but what is certain is that they use them intuitively. It is important to introduce those concepts as early as possible. As students grow up, it is expected that they will recognize the possibilities of applying these algorithms and understand the importance of choosing the suitable (efficient) algorithm for a specific problem.

One of the goals of this research is to compare different approaches to teaching key concepts related to search algorithms depending on students’ age. Two search algorithms were chosen as topics (Linear and Binary search), and class materials were prepared for two different age groups. Both groups consisted of elementary school students, the first containing lower (3rd and 4th) grade students and the second upper (7th and 8th) grade students. Teaching materials were carefully adapted to the age of the children, and an unplugged teaching approach was used. This approach was chosen to avoid any potential distractions from using a computer in the classroom and to transfer focus on concepts related to search algorithms instead of any programming language or integrated development environment (IDE). The prepared class materials were used as part of regular classes and aligned with the existing curriculum. A few weeks after the lessons, we tested the retention of key concepts for both groups and compared the obtained results.

This paper presents all phases of research – planning, and preparation of teaching materials, description of teaching process and activities, testing the retention of concepts, and finally, processing and analysis of the results.

Keywords:

Search algorithms, binary search, linear search, unplugged, elementary school education.