Exploring the effects of web-mediated computational thinking on developing students' computing skills in a ubiquitous learning environment. Issue 6 (18th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tsai, Chia-Wen; Shen, Pei-Di; Tsai, Meng-Chuan; Chen, Wen-Yu
• Is Part Of: Interactive learning environments. Volume 25:Issue 6(2017)
• Page Start: 762
• Page End: 777
• Publication Date: 2017-08-18
• Subjects: Web-mediated computational thinking -- ubiquitous learning -- computing skills -- computing education -- online education; Educational technology -- United States -- Periodicals; 371.33
• DOI: 10.1080/10494820.2016.1181093
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-4820

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Much application software education in Taiwan can hardly be regarded as practical. The researchers in this study provided a flexible means of ubiquitous learning (u-learning) with a mobile app for students to access the learning material. In addition, the authors also adopted computational thinking (CT) to help students develop practical computing skills. Three classes of first-year students were chosen for the empirical study. They were divided into three groups: two experimental groups (CT&UL group and CT group) and one control group. According to the results in this study, students who received the treatment of u-learning could have significantly better computing skills in using PowerPoint and Word than those without. However, the treatment of web-mediated CT did not result in better development of students' computing skills in this research. Finally, the researchers expect that this study provides a design and illustration of CT in a u-learning environment for schools and educators.