Students’ Understanding of Computational Thinking with a Focus on Decomposition in Building Network Simulations

Steve Mvalo, Chris Bates

2018

Abstract

This paper reports a study into students’ understanding of decomposition when building network simulations. Students were asked to complete three problem-solving tasks involving designing and troubleshooting computer networks using simulation software. Through online surveys, interviews and focus groups the students’ understanding of computational thinking was interrogated. The results show that students were not conscious that they were applying computational thinking concepts when designing and troubleshooting networks on simulation software. It appears their interest were to simply get problems solved but not necessarily with the understanding of the application of the concepts of computational thinking.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Mvalo S. and Bates C. (2018). Students’ Understanding of Computational Thinking with a Focus on Decomposition in Building Network Simulations.In Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU, ISBN 978-989-758-291-2, pages 245-252

in Bibtex Style

@conference{csedu18,
author={Steve Mvalo and Chris Bates},
title={Students’ Understanding of Computational Thinking with a Focus on Decomposition in Building Network Simulations},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU,},
year={2018},
pages={245-252},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={},
isbn={978-989-758-291-2},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU,
TI - Students’ Understanding of Computational Thinking with a Focus on Decomposition in Building Network Simulations
SN - 978-989-758-291-2
AU - Mvalo S.
AU - Bates C.
PY - 2018
SP - 245
EP - 252
DO -