Trends in tools used to teach computational thinking through elementary coding
Peter Rich, Scott Bartholomew, David E. Daniel, Kenzie Dinsmoor, Meagan Nielsen, Connor Reynolds, Meg Swanson, Ellyse Winward, Jessica Yauney
Abstract
In this study, we attempted to curate a list of tools whose primary intent is to enable and teach children to code. From this list, we developed a framework for the classification of coding tools and reviewed current research to determine how tools are used to teach coding in elementary education. The catalog grew to over 300 specific tools intended to teach coding to children. We subsequently searched Google Scholar for studies of computational thinking in elementary or primary education. This resulted in an analysis of 161 research studies in which there was an intervention intended to teach computational thinking to young children. Through this analysis, we identified patterns in which tools have been used to teach elementary coding, to which audiences, and in what ways.