ABSTRACT
"Computer Science (CS) Unplugged" is an educational method for introducing non-specialists to concepts of CS through hands-on activities that don't require the use of a computer. Often the deeper concepts of CS have been considered as being too difficult for elementary and middle school students, and many educators teaching "IT" are not even aware of the richness of the topic. CS Unplugged methods have been used successfully with students of a wide range of ages. In this paper, we analyze the structure of CS Unplugged activities to identify the elements that make them work well. Based on the analysis, we propose a design pattern which will be useful as a guideline for developing new activities, and to revise existing ones. We also describe our experience developing original teaching material, using the pattern as a benchmark for evaluation.
- Rick Rashid: Inspiring a New Generation of Computer Scientists, Communications of the ACM, Vol. 51, No. 7, pp. 33--34, 2008. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Tim Bell, Ian H. Witten, Mike Fellows: Computer Science Unplugged-An enrichment and extension programme for primary-aged children, 2005. http://csunplugged.com/Google Scholar
- Tim Bell, Ian H. Witten, Mike Fellows: Computer Science Unplugged: off-line activities and games for all ages, 1999.Google Scholar
- Lee WonGyu (translation): Computer Science Unplugged (Korean Version), Hongreung Science Publishing, 2006.Google Scholar
- Susumu Kanemune et al. (translation): Computer Science Unplugged (Japanese Version), Etext, 2007.Google Scholar
- Tomohiro Nishida et al.: New Methodology of Information Education with "Computer Science Unplugged", ISSEP 2008 Proceedings, LNCS 5090, Springer, pp. 241--252, 2008. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Yukio Idosaka et al.: A Practical Approach for Elementary Schoolchildren with "Computer Science Unplugged", Proceedings of SSS2008, pp. 25--32, 2008. (In Japanese)Google Scholar
- Yayoi Hofuku et al.: Using CS Unplugged in High School Information-B Classes, Proceedings of SSS2008, pp. 201--206, 2008. (In Japanese)Google Scholar
- Hiroki Manabe et al.: Information Education in a Vocational Training School for Persons with Disabilities, Proceedings of SSS2008, pp. 171--178, 2008.(In Japanese)Google Scholar
- ACM K-12 Task Force Curriculum Committee: ACM K-12 CS Model Curriculum, 2nd Edition, 2003. http://csta.acm.org/Curriculum/sub/ACMK12CSModel.htmlGoogle Scholar
- Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, John Vlissides: Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software, Addison-Wesley, 1995. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Joseph Bergin: Fourteen Pedagogical Patterns. http://csis.pace.edu/~bergin/PedPat1.3.htmlGoogle Scholar
- Andrew Begel, Daniel D. Garcia and Steven A. Wolfman: Kinesthetic learning in the classroom, SIGCSE Bull., 36(1), 183--184, 2004. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa, and Murray Silverstein: A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction, Oxford University Press, 1977.Google Scholar
- Martin Fowler: Analysis Patterns: Reusable Object Models, Addison-Wesley, 1996. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Pattern Languages of Programs. http://hillside.net/conferences/plop.htmGoogle Scholar
- James Coplien: Software Patterns, 1996. http://sites.google.com/a/gertrudandcope.com/info/Publications/Patterns/WhitePaperGoogle Scholar
- Paul Curzon: Computing Without Computers. http://www.dcs.qmul.ac. uk/~pc/research/education/puzzles/reading/Google Scholar
Index Terms
- A CS unplugged design pattern
Recommendations
Assessing Computational Thinking in CS Unplugged Activities
SIGCSE '17: Proceedings of the 2017 ACM SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science EducationComputer Science (CS) Unplugged activities have been deployed in many informal settings to present computing concepts in an engaging manner. To justify use in the classroom, however, it is critical for activities to have a strong educational component. ...
On plugging "unplugged" into CS classes
SIGCSE '13: Proceeding of the 44th ACM technical symposium on Computer science educationA variety of experience reports and studies has shown Computer Science Unplugged to be an effective resource for outreach, and it has been suggested to build upon these benefits to augment teaching in a regular classroom as well. Based upon an analysis ...
Teaching CS unplugged in the high school (with limited success)
ITiCSE '11: Proceedings of the 16th annual joint conference on Innovation and technology in computer science educationCS Unplugged is a set of active learning activities designed to introduce fundamental computer science principles without the use of computers. The program has gained significant momentum in recent years, with proponents citing deep engagement and ...
Comments