Using peer code review to improve computational thinking in a blended learning environment: A randomized control trial

Abstract

Although the importance of computational thinking (CT) has been widely recognized, we still poorly understand how to effectively teach this skill. The aim of this study is to investigate whether peer code review (PCR) could affect CT, learning engagement, and learning satisfaction in a blended learning environment. To achieve this, we carried out a randomized control trial study involving 84 first-year undergraduates (second semester) from different majors. There was no difference in CT before this experiment and after the experiment, general CT, specific CT, learning engagement, and satisfaction were measured. An independent sample t test showed that students learning with code peer review showed better performance on computational concepts, computational perspectives, learning engagement, and learning satisfaction (p < .001). Bayesian t test further showed substantial or strong evidence for the improvement of computational concepts, learning engagement, learning satisfaction, and computational perspectives. Moreover, the absolute values of Cohen's effect sizes of computational concept, computational perspectives, emotional engagement, behavior engagement, learning engagement, learning satisfaction were all above 0.4, which is viewed as educationally meaningful. Although there was no difference in the general CT, we still saw evidence of improvement over the course of the experiment. Overall, our findings suggest instructors to use PCR reasonably to further improve CT, learning engagement, and satisfaction in programming courses.

What influences computational thinking? A theoretical and empirical study based on the influence of learning engagement on computational thinking in higher education

“…The results suggested that behavioral engagement needed not to be considered when improving students' algorithmic thinking. Thus, instructors focused on providing various programming tasks, guidance [30], and emotional support [40] during classroom activities to improve students' emotional and cognitive engagement. However, the influence of emotional and cognitive engagement on creativity varied in different environments.…”

How do thinking styles and STEM attitudes have effects on computational thinking? A structural equation modeling analysis

“…It includes 29 items, which are distributed into five subscales. This widely‐used scale is a general CT evaluation method (Kilic et al, 2021; Lin et al, 2021). We performed a back‐to‐back translation whereby experts in both Chinese and English helped check the language's accuracy and coherence.…”

“…evaluation method (Kilic et al, 2021;Lin et al, 2021). We performed a back-to-back translation whereby experts in both Chinese and English helped check the language's accuracy and coherence.…”