Coding and computational thinking among Chinese young children: A review of empirical studies

Huiyan XU, Weipeng YANG

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapters

Abstract

This article presents a scoping review of the published studies on coding (or “computer programming”) and computational thinking education for young children in mainland China. A total of 21 eligible publications were included in the final analysis. Results revealed that (a) most studies did not involve a theoretical framework for intervention and data analysis, (b) the effectiveness of coding with a variety of platforms requires further scientific evaluation, and (c) it is in urgent need to train Chinese teachers to achieve intentional teaching for early coding and computational thinking education. Given that China is pursuing its technological and digital transformation of the society, it is essential to provide developmentally and culturally appropriate coding education for young children to enhance their transferable computational thinking and digital literacy. Copyright © 2024 by Information Age Publishing,
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDigital technologies and early childhood in China: Policy and practice
EditorsIlene R. BERSON, Wenwei LUO, Michael J. BERSON, Chuanmei DONG
Place of PublicationUSA
PublisherInformation Age Publishing
Pages113-136
ISBN (Electronic)9798887304953
ISBN (Print)9798887304939, 9798887304946
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Citation

Xu, H., & Yang, W. (2024). Coding and computational thinking among Chinese young children: A review of empirical studies. In I. R. Berson, W. Luo, M. J. Berson, & C. Dong (Eds.), Digital technologies and early childhood in China: Policy and practice (pp. 113-136). Information Age Publishing.

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