Informatics Concepts and Computational Thinking in K-12 Education: A Lithuanian Perspective

Abstract

Informatics or Computer Science is important subject in nowadays school education. Informatics can be presented as a discipline for understanding technology in a deeper way-the understanding behind computer programs. Bringing Informatics to schools means preparing young people to be creators of information technology-not only to be users of technological devices. To achieve that, we need to introduce Informatics concepts to primary, basic (K-9) and secondary education (K-12). From the other side, we need to help people to solve problems by using technology and developing computational thinking in various areas. The paper presents a short overview of Informatics education at schools of Lithuania with focus on future modern Informatics and Information Technology curriculum for K-12 education. The importance of informal education of Informatics concepts and computational thinking through contests is discussed as well. Few examples of short tasks for understanding Informatics concepts and developing computational thinking skills are presented.

Informatics and Programming Education at Primary and Secondary Schools in Japan

“…Furthermore, they are selected as good Bebras tasks and used in some countries. Actually, It was reported that a problem made by a student was one of the most interesting tasks among students in Lithuania (Dagienė et. al., 2016).…”

PRASK – an Algorithmic Competitionfor Middle Schoolers in Slovakia

“…However, many authors believe (Dagienė and Futschek, 2010;Dagienė et al, 2015;Dagienė and Stupurienė, 2016;Forišek and Winczer, 2006;Kalas and Tomcsanyiova, 2009;Kubica and Radoszewski, 2010) that by means of informatics competitions, we can present various parts and used concepts of computer science. Competitions like Olympiad in informatics, Bebras and many others have been the result of this line of thinking.…”

Computer Science High School Curriculum in Israel and Lithuania - Comparison and Teachers' Views

“…CS concepts play a central role for understanding fundamentals of computers, information technology, software, hardware and other devices. However, in practice, very often the training of skills in application software is given much more room at schools than to discover and going deeper into concepts of CS (Dagiene and Stupuriene, 2016a). CS education should be taken seriously and combine various forces.…”

“…For the Lithuanian case, the questionnaire was sent to about 650 IT/CS teachers (usually IT teachers teach CS as well in lower secondary schools), and was answered by 337 of them (about 52%). Results from the questionnaire in depth are presented in paper by Dagiene and Stupuriene (2016a). Below we present the questions from the questionnaire along with a summary of the teachers' answers.…”