Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2017. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Page 104 blank. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 100-103). / The need for computer science education is greater than ever. There are currently over 500,000 unfilled computer science jobs in the United States and many schools do not teach computer science in their classrooms. Computers are powerful tools, and computational thinking-skills of problem-solving, logic, and abstraction that form the foundation of computer science-can be applied across other disciplines. Many current approaches to computer science education use computer screens. Though computer science education is important and effective from a young age, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends we limit screen time in children; and research shows that excessive screen time is detrimental for a child's development. A 2006 research study by Angeline Lillard published in Science showed that Montessori students scored higher on academic, cognitive, social, and behavioral tests than students in a traditional elementary school setting. The Montessori Method is characterized by mixed-age classrooms, child-driven learning, and a series of sensorial, physical materials. Developed nearly 100 years ago by Dr. Maria Montessori, the Montessori curriculum does not explicitly include computer science in its curriculum. This research examines the Montessori Method as a way to teach computer science for early childhood education. Interpreting and extending Dr. Montessori's original pedagogy, I have developed a curriculum with new learning materials for young children that breaks down the fundamentals of computational thinking into a set of discrete concepts that are expressed in tactile, hands-on ways. This research evaluates this approach through direct observation and teacher feedback; and suggests the potential for this Method as an effective approach to teach computational concepts to young children. / by Kimberly Smith. / S.M.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:MIT/oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/112546 |
| Date | January 2017 |
| Creators | Smith, Kimberly |
| Contributors | Sepandar Kamvar., Program in Media Arts and Sciences (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Program in Media Arts and Sciences (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) |
| Publisher | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Source Sets | M.I.T. Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 104 pages, application/pdf |
| Rights | MIT theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed, downloaded, or printed from this source but further reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission., http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 |
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