2020-2021 / PEDA0072-1

Introduction to computational and algorithmic thinking

Duration

20h Th, 20h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in education (120 ECTS)3 crédits 

Lecturer

Brigitte Denis

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course includes the production and analysis of activities aiming at the development of computational thinking as well as their experimentation in the field.

  • Definitions and Characteristics of Computational Thinking
  • Competency framework
  • Concepts/notions (algorithm, variable, loop, sequence of actions...)
  • Activities that are connected (e.g. use of robots, programming languages) and disconnected (without the use of technological tools)
  • Pedagogical scenario respecting the triple concordance between targeted competencies, learning activities and evaluation
  • Problem solving approaches
  • Reflexivity
  • ...

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The main course's objectives are (for the students):

  • learning how to build, implement and analyze teaching-learning devices for the development of Computational Thinking (CT) among students from kindergarten to high school.
  • reflecting on the training of teachers/trainers in the field of CT.
More specifically, learners will be able to :
  • define "Computational Thinking"
  • appropriate a competency framework (for young people of different age groups)
  • acquire (part of) the competency framework
  • understand complex problems, break them down into sub-problems, propose solutions that can be partially or fully automated
  • link a (series of) learning activities to one or more competencies
  • analyze various existing activities, particularly in terms of the triple alignment between target competencies, learning activities and evaluation
  • design a pedagogical scenario for the development of CT
  • implement their scenario in a given context
  • make links between these activities and teacher/trainer training
  • take a reflexive look at their learning process and their productions

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

  • Collect learner's conceptions/representations of Computational Thinking (CT)
  • Brief presentation of the competency framework "PIAF" (origin, comparison)
  • Pluged and unpluged activities in sub-groups (+ note taking)
  • Presentation of the pedagogical scenario framework
  • In sub-groups, complete part of the canvas based on the experience of a workshop 
  • Group debriefing
  • Intervention of external expert(s)
  • Analysis of existing activities or scenarios (observation grids)
  • Online resource exploration
  • Testing of different hardware (e.g. different types of robots or languages)
  • Co-creation in duo, mainly conducted and tutored at a distance, of a pedagogical scenario (personal choice of the learners validated by the teacher) based on a provided framework
  • Experimentation (of part) of the scenario in the field
  • Filling a reflective roadbook throughout the process

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Mainly on face-to-face. 

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Recommended or required readings

All the documents will be put online progressively on eCampus. 

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

written exam

- Remote

written work

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred remote


Additional information:

The evaluation is based on :


  • the design of a pedagogical scenario aimed at developing computer and algorithmic thinking in young people or in (future) supervisors
  • keeping a reflexive roadbook throughout the learning activities, including a brief report on the partial or total experimentation of the scenario including possible outlooks

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Profesor :
Brigitte Denis, b.denis@uliege.be
Teacher's assistant : 
Sarah Higuet, sarah.higuet@uliege.be