"TechCheck": Development and Validation of an Unplugged Assessment of Computational Thinking in Early Childhood Education

Autor/inn/en	Relkin, Emily; de Ruiter, Laura; Bers, Marina Umaschi
Titel	"TechCheck": Development and Validation of an Unplugged Assessment of Computational Thinking in Early Childhood Education
Quelle	In: Journal of Science Education and Technology, 29 (2020) 4, S.482-498 (17 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Relkin, Emily) ORCID (de Ruiter, Laura) ORCID (Bers, Marina Umaschi)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1059-0145
DOI	10.1007/s10956-020-09831-x
Schlagwörter	Developmentally Appropriate Practices; Computation; Thinking Skills; Early Childhood Education; Young Children; Student Evaluation; Computer Assisted Testing; Multiple Choice Tests; Programming; Coding; Robotics; Test Reliability; Test Validity; Test Theory; Difficulty Level; Grade 1; Grade 2; Racial Differences; Scores; Psychometrics + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Entwicklungsbezogene Bildung; Denkfähigkeit; Early childhood; Education; Frühkindliche Bildung; Frühpädagogik; Frühe Kindheit; Schulnote; Studentische Bewertung; Multiple choice examinations; Multiple-choice tests, Multiple-choice examinations; Multiple-Choice-Verfahren; Programmierung; Codierung; Robotertechnik; Testreliabilität; Testvalidität; Testtheorie; Schwierigkeitsgrad; School year 01; 1. Schuljahr; Schuljahr 01; School year 02; 2. Schuljahr; Schuljahr 02; Rassenunterschied; Psychometry; Psychometrie
Abstract	There is a need for developmentally appropriate Computational Thinking (CT) assessments that can be implemented in early childhood classrooms. We developed a new instrument called "TechCheck" for assessing CT skills in young children that does not require prior knowledge of computer programming. "TechCheck" is based on developmentally appropriate CT concepts and uses a multiple-choice "unplugged" format that allows it to be administered to whole classes or online settings in under 15 min. This design allows assessment of a broad range of abilities and avoids conflating coding with CT skills. We validated the instrument in a cohort of 5-9-year-old students (N = 768) participating in a research study involving a robotics coding curriculum. "TechCheck" showed good reliability and validity according to measures of classical test theory and item response theory. Discrimination between skill levels was adequate. Difficulty was suitable for first graders and low for second graders. The instrument showed differences in performance related to race/ethnicity. "TechCheck" scores correlated moderately with a previously validated CT assessment tool ("TACTIC-KIBO"). Overall, "TechCheck" has good psychometric properties, is easy to administer and score, and discriminates between children of different CT abilities. Implications, limitations, and directions for future work are discussed. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01