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Investigating the role of computer‐supported annotation in problem‐solving‐based teaching: An empirical study of a S cratch programming pedagogy
Author(s) -
Su Addison Y. S.,
Yang Stephen J. H.,
Hwang WuYuin,
Huang Chester S. J.,
Tern MingYu
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
british journal of educational technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.79
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1467-8535
pISSN - 0007-1013
DOI - 10.1111/bjet.12058
Subject(s) - scratch , computer science , mathematics education , process (computing) , computer programming , teaching method , multimedia , programming language , psychology
For more than 2 years, S cratch programming has been taught in T aiwanese elementary schools. However, past studies have shown that it is difficult to find appropriate learning methods or tools to boost students’ S cratch programming performance. This inability to readily identify tutoring tools has become one of the primary challenges addressed in S cratch programming studies. To cope with this problem, we propose an innovative approach, which combines an A nnotation‐based S cratch P rogramming ( ASP ) tool with the problem‐solving‐based teaching approach in S cratch programming pedagogy. The ASP tool was developed to enable students to create, review and share S cratch programming and homework annotations. In a quasi‐experimental study, we have evaluated S cratch programming pedagogy at a N orth T aiwanese elementary school to investigate the effects of instructional‐tools‐supported programming instructional modes on S cratch programming performance. The experimental results show that students who received ASP tool support in conjunction with a problem‐solving‐based teaching approach performed significantly better than the other groups. Based on our findings, the innovative approach was believed to play an important role in improving the learning patterns of younger pupils. Therefore, we suggest that teachers consider incorporating the innovative method into their teaching environments in order to boost students’ learning achievements in the area of S cratch programming and the subsequent learning process.