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A Systematic Literature Review Examining the Impacts of Integrating Computer Science in K-5 Settings

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Conference

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Baltimore , Maryland

Publication Date

June 25, 2023

Start Date

June 25, 2023

End Date

June 28, 2023

Conference Session

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE) Technical Session 2: Let's Get Thinking Computationally

Tagged Division

Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)

Page Count

20

DOI

10.18260/1-2--42523

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/42523

Download Count

395

Paper Authors

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Alaina Katherine Mabie

biography

Monica McGill CSEdResearch.org Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0002-3096-9619

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Monica McGill is President & CEO of CSEdResearch.org. Her areas of scholarship are K-12 computer science and cybersecurity education research with a current focus on diversity, equity and inclusion as well as improving the quality of research.

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Brenda Huerta Bradley University

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Abstract

Problem: Computer Science (CS) is in its early stages of being taught to K-5 students within the United States. It still remains unknown how best to teach CS to students; however, evidence suggests that integrating CS into other subject areas may yield positive learning gains. Further, as teachers struggle to find time to add another subject, teaching integrated CS can gain them the time without sacrificing other subject areas. Research Questions: Our research question is: What does existing literature indicate as promising practices when integrating CS into other subjects? Methodology: We conducted a systematic literature review to identify articles that investigate the integration of computational thinking and/or computer science in K-5 learning environments. Findings: We found 243 articles that met our initial requirements, which then were reduced to 29 articles. We extracted the findings from these articles, including the subject areas in which CS was integrated. Our review shows that there are several noted promising practices for integrating computer science and computational thinking into K-5 learning environments, with a particularly focus on integrating CS into STEM. We also found that constructive approaches and unplugged activities can enhance learning. Implications: Based on this literature review, we identified several promising practices for creating curriculum that integrates K-5 into learning environments. These practices provide guidance for curriculum designers and those creating resources and tools for teaching K-5 students computer science.

Mabie, A. K., & McGill, M., & Huerta, B. (2023, June), A Systematic Literature Review Examining the Impacts of Integrating Computer Science in K-5 Settings Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--42523

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