Share Paper: Examining Pre-Service Teachers’ Computational Thinking: Are there Differences Between Gender in Digital Game Construction?

  1. Corbett Artym, Edmonton Public School Board; University of Alberta, Canada
  2. Mike Carbonaro, University of Alberta, Canada

Abstract: Jeannette Wing (2006) suggested that computational thinking (CT) should be essential part of a 21st Century learner’s educational experience and integrated across the K-12 curriculum. Wing views CT as using concepts, largely drawn for computing science to solve problems, design systems, and understand human behaviour. In this study we assessed the CT skills of pre-service teachers, who designed and built their own video games using the Scratch programming environment. The learning environment was based on a constructionist-learning framework proposed by Papert (1991). Forty pre-services teachers, divided equally by gender, each constructed their own digital games. The games were assessed across ...