Computational thinking in STEM education: current state-of-the-art and future research directions
The knowledge society exists mainly due to advancing technology and the exponential development of professionals’ capabilities. Digital transformation and new technologies generate complex environments demanding high-level skills. This work analyzes the current state of pedagogical approaches with a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Computer Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomp.2024.1480404/full |
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| author | Rasikh Tariq Bertha Maria Aponte Babines Jesus Ramirez Inés Alvarez-Icaza Fawad Naseer |
| author_facet | Rasikh Tariq Bertha Maria Aponte Babines Jesus Ramirez Inés Alvarez-Icaza Fawad Naseer |
| author_sort | Rasikh Tariq |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The knowledge society exists mainly due to advancing technology and the exponential development of professionals’ capabilities. Digital transformation and new technologies generate complex environments demanding high-level skills. This work analyzes the current state of pedagogical approaches with a special focus on project-based learning that develops computational thinking in STEM students. A Systematic Literature Review examined the current state of pedagogical approaches along with project-based learning aimed at enhancing computational thinking within the context of higher education. Results allowed us to infer that (a) computational thinking promotes sustainable development through STEM education and novel teaching practices; (b) it is a fundamental skill for the problem-solving processes that evolve with technological progress; (c) its development is a global concern, not limited to a country’s development level; and (d) its introduction at an early stage provides opportunities for the advancement of vulnerable groups. Outlining, this study conducts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) using PRISMA 2020 guidelines to analyze pedagogical approaches including project-based learning for enhancing computational thinking in STEM higher education, identifying global research trends, common strategies, and areas for improvement, while proposing a framework to align computational thinking skills with emerging technological challenges and promote sustainable educational practices. This study presents relevant results on the construction of state-of-the-art computational thinking and education; it is valuable for curricular design underpinning disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d8b90c49a0824c3b8105a4fdd6cfef52 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2624-9898 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Computer Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-d8b90c49a0824c3b8105a4fdd6cfef522025-01-08T06:11:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Computer Science2624-98982025-01-01610.3389/fcomp.2024.14804041480404Computational thinking in STEM education: current state-of-the-art and future research directionsRasikh Tariq0Bertha Maria Aponte Babines1Jesus Ramirez2Inés Alvarez-Icaza3Fawad Naseer4Tecnologico de Monterrey, Institute for the Future of Education, Monterrey, Nuevo León, MexicoTecnológico de Monterrey, Escuela de Humanidades y Educación, Monterrey, Nuevo León, MexicoFacultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, MexicoTecnologico de Monterrey, Institute for the Future of Education, Monterrey, Nuevo León, MexicoComputer Science and Software Engineering Department, Beaconhouse International College, Faisalabad, PakistanThe knowledge society exists mainly due to advancing technology and the exponential development of professionals’ capabilities. Digital transformation and new technologies generate complex environments demanding high-level skills. This work analyzes the current state of pedagogical approaches with a special focus on project-based learning that develops computational thinking in STEM students. A Systematic Literature Review examined the current state of pedagogical approaches along with project-based learning aimed at enhancing computational thinking within the context of higher education. Results allowed us to infer that (a) computational thinking promotes sustainable development through STEM education and novel teaching practices; (b) it is a fundamental skill for the problem-solving processes that evolve with technological progress; (c) its development is a global concern, not limited to a country’s development level; and (d) its introduction at an early stage provides opportunities for the advancement of vulnerable groups. Outlining, this study conducts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) using PRISMA 2020 guidelines to analyze pedagogical approaches including project-based learning for enhancing computational thinking in STEM higher education, identifying global research trends, common strategies, and areas for improvement, while proposing a framework to align computational thinking skills with emerging technological challenges and promote sustainable educational practices. This study presents relevant results on the construction of state-of-the-art computational thinking and education; it is valuable for curricular design underpinning disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomp.2024.1480404/fullcomplex thinkingstem educationeducational innovationhigher educationcomputational thinking |
| spellingShingle | Rasikh Tariq Bertha Maria Aponte Babines Jesus Ramirez Inés Alvarez-Icaza Fawad Naseer Computational thinking in STEM education: current state-of-the-art and future research directions Frontiers in Computer Science complex thinking stem education educational innovation higher education computational thinking |
| title | Computational thinking in STEM education: current state-of-the-art and future research directions |
| title_full | Computational thinking in STEM education: current state-of-the-art and future research directions |
| title_fullStr | Computational thinking in STEM education: current state-of-the-art and future research directions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Computational thinking in STEM education: current state-of-the-art and future research directions |
| title_short | Computational thinking in STEM education: current state-of-the-art and future research directions |
| title_sort | computational thinking in stem education current state of the art and future research directions |
| topic | complex thinking stem education educational innovation higher education computational thinking |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomp.2024.1480404/full |
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