KAO, DE HSIANG
National Taipei University of Education Graduate School of Curriculum and Instructional Communication Technology Student
Email：mermaidz86@gmail.com
LIU, YUAN CHEN
National Taipei University of Education Graduate School of Curriculum and Instructional Communication Technology Professor
Email：liu@tea.ntue.edu.tw
Abstract
This study aims to explore the impact of different computational thinking methods on STEM career interest. Eight intact classes of 202 fifth graders from four elementary schools in Taipei City were recruited, and they were randomly assigned into three groups: VR-micro:bit group, micro:bit group and VR group. The researchers established a computing learning website to guide three groups of students to conduct computational thinking courses. Two tools, CoSpaces and micro:bit, were used to improve students’ STEM career interest and spatial thinking ability. A pre- and posttest for each group, STEM Semantic Survey and Career Interest Questionnaire (CIQ), Spatial Reasoning Instrument (SRI), Computational Thinking Test (CTT) were applied. Implications for adopting computing thinking courses in classrooms and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Keywords :STEM career interest, computational thinking, spatial thinking, virtual reality (VR)