Algorithmic Thinking Skills without Computers for Prospective Computer Science Teachers

Abstract

Algorithmic thinking skills may be considered as an important attribute of any person lives in this century, especially for teachers, more particularly for computer science teachers. This study examines an elective course offered under the title of Algorithmic Thinking for prospective computer science teachers. A mixed method approach was followed for the current study. The study was carried out with the participation of sixth semester students of a Computer Education and Instructional Technology Department of an Education Faculty who may be considered as prospective computer science teachers. Twenty-eight students were enrolled the selective AT course opened for the period. Within the scope of the study, development of the course curriculum, instructional process of the course and evaluation of the course in line with students’ views and exam scores, are presented. Findings of the research suggest that the students find the Algorithmic Thinking course helping them to acquire some algorithmic thinking skills as well as some other academic and life related thinking abilities. Also, the course may be considered as a necessary course particularly for the training process of computer science teachers. In addition, the students think that the offered course was an effective and beneficial course.

Keywords

• algorithmic thinking
• computational thinking
• computer science
• course
• prospective teacher

Bilgisayar Öğretmen Adayları için Bilgisayar Kullanmadan Algoritmik Düşünme Becerileri

Öz

Algoritmik düşünme becerileri bu yüzyılda yaşayan herkes için gerekli bir özellik olarak düşünülebilir. Günümüzde bireyler ve toplumlar bilgi iletişim teknolojilerini (BİT) kullanmak durumunda kalıyorlar. Bu durum onların BİT okuryazarı olmalarını gerektirmektedir. Bu gerekliliğin karşılanmasında öğretmenlere önemli görev düştüğü söylenebilir. Bu çalışmada, bilişim teknolojileri öğretmen adayları için Algoritmik Düşünme adıyla sunulan seçmeli bir ders ele alınmıştır. Çalışmada karma yöntem yaklaşımı izlenmiştir. Çalışma, bir Eğitim Fakültesi Bilgisayar ve Öğretim Teknolojileri Eğitimi Bölümü altıncı yarıyılında öğrenim gören bilgisayar bilimleri öğretmen adayları ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Söz konusu dönem için açılan seçmeli dersi 28 öğrenci almıştır. Çalışma kapsamında öğrencilerin görüşleri ve sınav puanları doğrultusunda dersin öğretim süreci ve dersin değerlendirilmesine yer verilmiştir. Bununla beraber ders programının gelişim sürecine de yer verilmiştir. Araştırmanın bulguları, öğrencilerin bazı algoritmik düşünme becerilerinin yanı sıra diğer akademik ve yaşamla ilgili düşünme becerilerini kazanmaları noktasında Algoritmik Düşünme dersini yararlı bulduklarını göstermektedir. Ayrıca ders, özellikle bilgisayar bilimleri öğretmenlerinin yetiştirilmesi açısından gerekli bir ders olarak değerlendirilebilir. Ek olarak öğrencilerin, sunulan dersin etkili ve faydalı bir ders olduğu yönünde görüşler belirttikleri de belirtilebilir. 

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Algoritmik düşünme
• bilgi-işlemsel düşünme
• bilgisayar bilimleri
• ders
• öğretmen adayı
• Algoritmik düşünme, bilgi-işlemsel düşünme, bilgisayar bilimleri, ders, öğretmen adayı

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