2020 Volume 62 Issue 3 Pages 257-265
In this study, to address the obligation to provide computer programming instruction in elementary schools beginning in 2020, such classes were introduced to 30 fifth grade pupils. In these classes, a controlled robot travels in a labyrinth followed by a program that uses Scratch 2.0, a block-type programming tool.
From the analysis of tests on the labyrinths, each student's artwork and impressions of the course before and after the classes were introduced. The student's ability to use programming thinking logically and to combine the programming control structure (sequence, iteration, and selection), was evaluated. It was found that the understanding of selection improved compared with previous classes, in which the controlled robots were not utilized as teaching tools. Moreover, the study revealed that most pupils were interested in computer programming learning. Therefore, computer programming classes using controlled robots are considered to be helpful in the development of students' abilities to logically employ programming thinking.
