An Overview of Computational Thinking

Abstract

Computers and information technologies are increasingly becoming indispensable elements of our lives. Technological hardware and softwares are widely used in the field of education as well as in many fields such as engineering, business world, and health sector. In order to use these technologies efficiently, it is important for learners to understand the working logic of computers. One of the methods developed to achieve this is computational thinking. Although computational thinking is a relatively new concept, it is a rapidly developing concept. Computational thinking can be defined as a way of thinking that involves solving problems, designing systems, and making sense of human behavior using the basic concepts of computer science. The aim of this study is to discuss various dimensions of computational thinking with sources from the literature. In this context, firstly, the definitions of computational thinking were emphasized, and then information about the history and development process of computational thinking was given. The dimensions of computational thinking and the competencies related to computational thinking such as critical thinking, creative thinking, and algorithmic thinking are included. Finally, information is given about applications on computational thinking such as Google Education, Bebras, and Code.org.

Keywords

• Computational thinking
• Information technologies
• Critical thinking
• Creative thinking

Bilgi İşlemsel Düşünme Üzerine Genel Bir Bakış

Öz

Bilgisayarlar ve bilişim teknolojileri giderek artan bir hızda hayatımızın vazgeçilmez öğeleri haline gelmektedirler. Teknolojik donanımlar ve yazılımlar mühendislik, iş dünyası, sağlık sektörü gibi pek çok alanın yanında eğitim alanında da bilişim teknolojileri oldukça yaygın olarak kullanılmaktadır. Bu teknolojilerin verimli şekilde kullanılması için öğrenenlerin bilgisayarların çalışma mantığını anlamaları önem arz etmektedir. Bunu sağlamak amacıyla geliştirilen yöntemlerden biri de bilgi işlemsel düşünmedir. Bilgi işlemsel düşünme görece yeni bir kavram olmasına rağmen hızla gelişen bir kavramdır. Bilgi işlemsel düşünme bilgisayar biliminin temel kavramlarını kullanarak problem çözmeyi, sistem tasarlamayı ve insan davranışını anlamlandırmayı içeren bir düşünme şekli olarak tanımlanabilir. Bu çalışmanın amacı alanyazından kaynaklarla bilgi işlemsel düşünmenin çeşitli boyutlarını ele almaktır. Bu kapsamda öncelikle bilgi işlemsel düşünmenin tanımları üzerinde durulmuş, daha sonrasında bilgi işlemsel düşünmenin tarihi ve gelişim süreci hakkında bilgi verilmiştir. Bilgi işlemsel düşünmeyi oluşturan boyutlar ve eleştirel düşünme, yartıcı düşünme, algoritmik düşünme gibi bilgi işlemsel düşünme ile ilgili yeterliklere yer verilmiştir. Son olarak Google Education, Bebras, Code.org gibi bilgi işlemsel düşünme üzerine uygulamalar hakkında bilgi verilmiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Bilgi işlemsel düşünme
• Bilişim teknolojileri
• Eleştirel düşünme
• Yaratıcı düşünme

Kaynakça

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