| Abstract |
This paper examines the context for developing computational thinking (CT), computational participation (CP), and spatial reasoning among predominantly Black elementary students in grades 5 and 6, who attended a public school in the urban fringe of a large city in the Eastern United States. A case study is presented as the method to examine two African-American female teachers’ use of culturally relevant pedagogy to enhance these students’ learning and engagement in a 10-week informal after-school program where LEGO® robotics tasks were implemented. The processes of coding, constant comparison, and convenience sampling were used to analyze data using qualitative methods. Results revealed evidence of CT among nine focal students. CP was not observed at the baseline but was evident at the endpoint. Moreover, six of the nine focal students demonstrated a variety of spatial reasoning skills during LEGO® robotics tasks, which are correlated with higher mathematics achievement and academic success. Further analysis revealed that these focal students persisted in problem solving during the LEGO® robotics program. Focus group interviews with the two teachers and eight randomly selected students support these outcomes. |
| Authors |
Jacqueline Leonard   , Cara M. Djonko-Moore , Krista Francis , Abigail S. Carey , Monica Mitchell , Imani Goffney
|
| Journal Info |
Springer Science+Business Media | Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematic and Technology Education , vol: 23
, iss: 1
, pages: 120 - 144
|
| Publication Date |
5/8/2023 |
| ISSN |
1492-6156 |
Type |
article |
| Open Access |
closed
|
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42330-023-00267-0 |
| Keywords |
Educational Robotics (Score: 0.578057) , Computational Thinking (Score: 0.562732) , Cognitive Development (Score: 0.535961) , Programming Education (Score: 0.53222) , Cognitive Maps (Score: 0.523413)
|
