Seeds of Algebraic Thinking When Programming a Motorized Swing
Mathías A. López, Guangnan Xu · Proceedings. · 2025
This case study examines the seeds of algebraic thinking that a fifth grader used in a programming task.By reviewing video data and interviews, we showcase how the student used two seeds of algebraic thinking to program the movement of a swing: closing-in and more x, more y.Our findings illustrate how programming tasks can elicit early algebraic thinking and provide meaningful contexts for developing foundational mathematical concepts.