Beyond the Lab
Veronica Lin, Orit Shaer · 2016
We present a two-part case study to explore how technology toys can promote computational thinking for young children. First, we conducted a formal study using littleBits, a commercially available technology toy, to explore its potential as a learning tool for computational thinking in three different educational settings. Our findings revealed differences in learning indicators across settings. We applied these insights during a teaching project in Cape Town, South Africa, where we partnered with an educational NGO, ORT SA CAPE, to offer enriching learning opportunities for both privileged and impoverished children. We describe our methods, observations, and lessons learned using littleBits to teach computational thinking to children in early elementary school, and discuss how our lab study informed practical work in the developing world.