Data Mining Framework to Analyze the Evolution of Computational Thinking Skills in Game Building Workshops

Abstract

Computational thinking has become a required capability in the student learning process, and digital games as a teaching approach have presented promising educational results in the development of this competence. However, properly evaluating the effectiveness and, consequently, student progress in a course using games is still a challenge. One of the most widely implemented ways of evaluation is with an automated analysis of the code developed in the classes during the construction of digital games. Nevertheless, this topic has not yet been explored in aspects such as incremental learning, the model and teaching environment and the influences of acquiring skills and competencies of computational thinking. Motivated by this knowledge gap, this paper introduces a framework proposal to analyze the evolution of computational thinking skills in digital games classes. The framework is based on a data mining technique that aims to facilitate the discovery process of the patterns and behaviors that lead to the acquisition of computational thinking skills, by analyzing clusters with an unsupervised neural network of self-organizing maps (SOM) for this purpose. The framework is composed of a collection of processes and practices structured in data collection, data preprocessing, data analysis, and data visualization. A case study, using Scratch, was executed to validate this approach. The results point to the viability of the framework, highlighting the use of the visual exploratory data analysis, through the SOM maps, as an efficient tool to observe the acquisition of computational thinking skills by the student in an incremental course.

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“…This study uses an adaptation of a data mining framework proposed by De Souza et al. ( 2019 ) and based on the Practical Software Systems Measurement (PSM) guide (McGarry ( 2002 )). In De Souza et al.…”

“…In De Souza et al. ( 2019 ), the authors propose a conceptual framework for data mining, structured in different levels of abstraction which were denominated as visions . In the defined framework, the data mining process is guided by the questions ( guidelines ) that must be answered at the end of its execution.…”

“…From the De Souza et al. ( 2019 ) the Cluster Analysis View , the Process View and the guideline Information Needs are adapted to this paper. These items from the framework will be used in this study at the context of COVID-19 with the following goals: Information needs To address the selection of attributes for the training process and procedures for data analysis that allow knowledge discovery, pointing out patterns and features to support identification of patients positive for SARS-CoV-2; Cluster analysis view To guide the cluster analysis model, the configuration and application of the SOM algorithm, as well as the types of maps that must be generated and their visual interpretations in order to meet the established Information Needs; Process view To organize activities that must be performed for data mining: data gathering, pre-processing, analysis and interpretation of the obtained results, in order to meet the established Information Needs.…”

“…Adaptation of the process view structure proposed by De Souza et al. ( 2019 ). The Kohonen objects have a set of information resulting from application SOM algorithm such as: dataset, grid of the map and your units, intra-distance of each unit, among others that will be detailed in subsection 3.3 …”

Design and Evaluation of a Deep Learning Recommendation Based Augmented Reality System for Teaching Programming and Computational Thinking

“…The focus of truly successful learning is to allow students to gain different skills and mindsets to facilitate their learning and problem solving in the future. Computational thinking is considered to be a very important core competence to help students learning and thinking in the future [18]- [20]. How to help those students of different learning areas and ages inspire computational thinking skills is also a topic that is often discussed [21].…”