Everyday Computing

Background

LTEC-2 is a collaborative NSF STEM+C project that seeks to understand how to integrate computational thinking (CT) into elementary mathematics. This work involves the development and evaluation of integrated elementary mathematics activities focused on fractions in 3rd and 4th grades with CT and computer science (CS) concepts that align to learning trajectories for elementary CT. Our research investigates how students’ understanding of fractions is influenced by experiences with integrated lessons that combine mathematics and CT.

This project is a collaborative effort between researchers, staff, and research assistants from the University of Florida, UChicago STEM Education, the University of Illinois-Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, and the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign.

Why it matters

With the rapid proliferation of computer science (CS) and computational thinking (CT) in elementary schools, there is a growing need to understand how to integrate this subject area into existing instruction. One way of integrating CS and CT into elementary instruction is to integrate it into mathematics instruction. However, there are many questions about how this integration should take place, the effect of integration on disciplinary learning, and the learning progressions that would inform which computational concepts should be taught across the grades. This project seeks to address these issues by (1) designing integrated lessons that can be tested out in elementary classrooms, (2) developing assessments for CT, and (3) investigating whether integrated instruction leads to increased student learning in the area of fractions.

Research Questions

The following four research questions guide the LTEC-2 project:

How does development and implementation of integrated math+CT instructional materials inform further development of our emerging CT learning trajectories?
What are the level of integration, balance between disciplines, and pacing of the math+CT instructional materials?
What affordances and challenges do students experience when engaged in integrated math+CT instruction?
Are there significant differences in the mathematical knowledge of students who receive integrated math+CT instruction as compared to students who receive traditional mathematics instruction?

Methodology

This study makes use of a mixed methods design. In the first two years of the study, the research team primarily used a qualitative methodology involving classroom observations and teacher interviews with the purpose of iteratively refining the math + CT lessons and assessments. We also used cognitive interviews with think-aloud protocols to begin learning how students’ thinking processes demonstrate CT concepts along the CT learning trajectories. In the last year of the study (2019-2020), we are using a quasi-experimental design to evaluate the impact of the integrated lessons on students’ understanding of fractions. Treatment and control classrooms both use the same mathematics curriculum (Everyday Mathematics, 4th Edition). The treatment classrooms also attend professional development about CT, integration, and the integrated lessons. The teachers in the treatment condition also implement the integrated lessons while the control classrooms will use the standard mathematics curriculum. At the same time, the research team is continuing to conduct cognitive interviews with students to gain a deeper understanding of students’ thinking about CT concepts.