Teaching Computing in a Multidisciplinary Way in Social Studies Classes in School - A Case Study

https://doi.org/10.21585/ijcses.v1i2.9

Authors

  • Christiane Gresse von Wangenheim Federal University of Santa Catarina Department of Informatics and Statistics
  • Nathalia Cruz Alves Federal University of Santa Catarina Department of Informatics and Statistics
  • Pedro Eurico Rodrigues University of São Paulo Graduate Program in Social History Escola Autonomia
  • Jean Carlo Hauck Federal University of Santa Catarina Department of Informatics and Statistics

Keywords:

Computer Science, Social Studies Teaching, K-12, Scratch, Programming, Computational Thinking

Abstract

In order to be well-educated citizens in the 21st century, children need to learn computing in school. However, implementing computing education in schools faces several practical problems, such as lack of computing teachers and time in an already overloaded curriculum. A solution can be a multidisciplinary approach, integrating computing education within other subjects in the curriculum. The present study proposes an instructional unit for computing education in social studies classes, with students learning basic computing concepts by programming history related games using Scratch. The instructional unit is developed following an instructional design approach and is applied and evaluated through a case study in four classes (5th and 7th grade) with a total of 105 students at a school in (omitted for submission). Results provide a first indication that the instructional unit enables the learning of basic computing concepts (specifically programming) in an efficient, effective and entertaining way increasing also the interest and motivation of students to learn computing.

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Published

2017-05-11

How to Cite

von Wangenheim, C. G., Alves, N. C., Rodrigues, P. E., & Hauck, J. C. (2017). Teaching Computing in a Multidisciplinary Way in Social Studies Classes in School - A Case Study. International Journal of Computer Science Education in Schools, 1(2), 3–16. https://doi.org/10.21585/ijcses.v1i2.9