Integrating Computational Thinking Concept Into Digital Storytelling to Improve Learners’ Motivation and Performance

Abstract

This paper examines a method which can be used by instructors pursuing innovative methods for language teaching, which expands learners’ motivation in second language learning. Computational thinking (CT) is a problem-solving skill which can motivate students’ English language learning. Designing a learning activity which integrates CT into English language learning has been considered in only a few academic studies. This study aimed to explore whether integrating CT into English language learning can be useful for improving learners’ motivation and performance. The method of “present, practice, and produce” was applied as a method of presenting computational thinking in the English language learning classroom. Fifty-two elementary school students (52) participated in the experimental study. Following an experimental design, data were collected and analyzed from a combination of knowledge test scores, storytelling, motivation, and anxiety surveys. The experimental results indicate that the CT strategy improves students’ language learning and raises their motivation in the two dimensions of extrinsic and intrinsic goal orientation. These results imply the positive effect of CT strategy on strengthening problem-solving skills of students participating in digital storytelling and increases their motivation and performance in English language learning.

The Decision-Making Process and the Construction of Online Sociality through the Digital Storytelling Methodology

“…The intervention, therefore, allows participation and involvement in group activities to emerge, and it is interesting that all the elements for the construction of a group spirit and mentality emerge in this training intervention, like common work objectives, division of the role and pleasure of the task [44,45]. External competition, internal conflict resolution, and finally, the group decision prevails as the final outcome of the triggered process.…”

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“…However, everyone should acquire CT, not only programmers (National Research Council, 2010) and students should get exposed to CT long before programming (Lu & Fletcher, 2009). To date, several researchers have investigated the integration of CT in foreign language learning (FLL) [Barr & Stephenson, 2011;Hsu & Liang, 2021;Lu & Fletcher, 2009;Parsazadeh et al, 2021]. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, none of them have investigated hands-on approaches to foster CT in FLL in depth.…”

Digital storytelling for improving critical reading skills, critical thinking skills, and self-regulated learning skills

“…Researchers have also documented comparative studies showing the effects of digital storytelling on improving the critical thinking skills of students in different disciplines. The study of Parsazadeh, Cheng, Wu & Huang (2021) examined the impact of incorporating the computational thinking concept within digital storytelling on learner motivation and performance was investigated. Computational thinking (CT) is a problem-solving technique that can help pupils learn English more effectively.…”