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A Case Study to Promote Computational Thinking: The Lab Rotation Approach

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Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNTCS,volume 10949))

Abstract

This paper presents the rationale, design, development, implementation and evaluation of a case study utilizing the lab rotation model of blended learning for teaching computational thinking in Chinese higher education. The principles of computational thinking were integrated into an entry level course that is required among all college students, entitled Fundamentals of College Computing. A mixed method research approach was utilized to examine students learning outcomes and perception of the instructional process among 114 first year college students. The results showed that the teaching approach was successful at improving students’ computational thinking, particularly on the method and ability dimensions. Recommendations for promoting college students’ computational thinking, as well as teaching strategies for implementing this type of a unique lab rotational approach in China are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Central China Normal University (CCNU14Z02006).

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Correspondence to Harrison Hao Yang .

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Cai, J., Yang, H.H., Gong, D., MacLeod, J., Jin, Y. (2018). A Case Study to Promote Computational Thinking: The Lab Rotation Approach. In: Cheung, S., Kwok, Lf., Kubota, K., Lee, LK., Tokito, J. (eds) Blended Learning. Enhancing Learning Success. ICBL 2018. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 10949. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94505-7_32

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94505-7_32

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-94504-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-94505-7

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