Using unplugged and block-based activities through video conferencing to develop secondary schoolers' computational thinking skills

The aim of this study is to design, develop, and evaluate a learning module that brings together unplugged computing with block-based activities to develop Computational Thinking (CT) and arouse interest in computer science, especially for children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. A mixed method study was used to investigate quantitative and qualitative data. Participants of the study were secondary school students (n=62) from different public schools. 8-week learning module consists of 8 unplugged and 7 block-based activities that were implemented through video conferencing. A CT skills test consisting of 12 questions selected from Bebras tasks and 3 questions developed by the researcher, the Self-Efficacy Perception Scale for Computational Thinking Skills developed by Gülbahar et al., (2018) and the rubrics for the assessment of the students' final Scratch projects were used as data collection instruments. Feedback questionnaires and interviews with mentors were carried out for examining the students' learning. The results showed a statistically significant increase in the students' CT skills and self-efficacy perceptions. Based on an analysis of the Scratch projects, most frequent components were events, conditional statements, and loops and the overwhelming majority of the students used an incorporated theme in their projects, which were also functional. The qualitative findings demonstrated that the majority of the students learned about Computer Science, and gained new skills such as basics of coding, and coding in Scratch.