The Investigation of Algorithmic Thinking Skills of 5th and 6th Graders at a Theoretical Dimension
Hayal Yavuz Mumcu, Suheda Yıldız · DergiPark (Istanbul University) · 2018
Besidesalgorithmic thinking is a basic mathematical skill that places on the centre ofmathematical processes such as problem solving, programming and coding, it isseen that studies related to algorithmic thinking in the literature are verylimited. In this context, this study aims to investigate the algorithmicthinking skills of secondary school students at a theoretical dimension. Thisis a case study and the study group consist of 138 students in total studyingat 5th and 6th grades of different public secondary schools in the province ofOrdu. Roughly, fifty-four and forty-five percents of the study group consist offemale and male and fifty and forty-nine percent of them consist of fifth andsixth graders respectively. Criteria sampling method of objective samplingmethods was used in determining the study group and Algorithmic Thinking Test developed by the author as a datacollection tool was administered to the students in the study group. As aresult of the study, the algorithmic thinking skills of the students wereassessed considering the sub-dimensions of these skills and students in thestudy group had 43% of the achievement averages in using algorithmic thinkingskills at the end of the study. It is seen that algorithmic tasks are the most successful questions for thestudents, and the logic is the mostunsuccessful. Some recommendations were presented for relevant studies that canbe carried out about the subject in the future.