Future in Educational Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Дек. 10, 2024

Empowering young minds in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape is crucial for preparing the next generation to confront and embrace challenges posed by this new era. Central mission integration of Computational Thinking (CT) within early childhood education, where a focus on understanding technologies, honing problem-solving skills, fostering positive ways thinking can shape future innovators. CT, which encompasses essential concepts, practices, perspectives (Brennan & Resnick, 2012), emerging as literacy age Artificial Intelligence (AI) (Celik, 2023). By embedding CT into curricula, we cultivate critical skills children that enable them think algorithmically adapt advancements. Furthermore, creating learning environments prioritize collaboration creativity—utilizing technology tool active engagement rather than passive consumption—will help develop mindset not only adapts change but also drives it. In way, education empower thrive fluency essential, ultimately fulfilling promise dynamic, tech-savvy society. Therefore, special issue presents couple cutting-edge studies examine current status AI pave way studies. The ushering transformative era educational practices pedagogies (Su Yang, 2022). collection, Berson (2024) explore paradigm shift examining interplay between AI, historical imagery, children's creativity through use an AI-powered painting called CultureCraft. Grounded constructionist theory multimodality digital play, their research investigates how such technologies democratize access cultural heritage resources while promoting creative expression, inquiry-based learning, skills. Utilizing design-based approach, study engaged 20 preschool classrooms assess incorporation CultureCraft could enhance teacher-child interactions experiences. iterative phases research—including initial training, implementation, observation, feedback—highlight importance collaborative adaptable framework introducing contexts. tandem with these findings, Yim Wegerif address yet often overlooked aspect: teachers' perceptions acceptance tools designed teach students. Employing Technology Acceptance Model, conducted mixed-methods surveying 57 teachers gauge views usability value tools, along factors influencing attitudes. results reveal generally hold benefits enhancing students' knowledge, responsible behaviors regarding AI. However, barriers remain, limited knowledge experience among educators, technical challenges, concerns about attributes inadequate school infrastructure, worries potential negative impacts prolonged AI-human interaction. convincingly argues teacher successfully implementing education. Complementing studies, Yeter et al. offer global perspective comprehensive review state learners across various regions, including Asia, Oceania, Europe, Americas. They analyze diverse national regional initiatives aimed at concepts applications, highlighting pedagogical approaches employed. emphasizes age, enhanced thinking, overall cognitive development. Additionally, ethical considerations related misinformation citizenship. Collectively, illuminate reshaping revealing both opportunities policymakers, researchers must navigate effectively harness AI's full nurturing learners. A multifaceted model its children. As illustrated Figure 1, more just single dimension skills; it represents organic systemic includes fundamental applications thinking. Accordingly, significantly influence key foundational are vital lifelong triple helix computational This differs from Zeng al.'s (2023) three-dimensional emphasize fact system closely intertwined. increasingly recognized complex innovative Harper incorporating culturally responsive computing (CRC) computer science Through partnership, authors codeveloped CRC curriculum preschoolers Culturally Relevant Robotics: Family Teacher (CRRAFT) program. Their qualitative content analysis revealed CRRAFT program created meaningful Black Latinx relevant findings highlight coding activities creators agents, contributing burgeoning tailored aims engage underrepresented groups age. Expanding concept, Hubelbank introduce research-practice partnership (RPP) integrate PreK-5 classrooms. explores co-constructed processes frameworks established educators involved RPP, support culturally, linguistically, developmentally pedagogies. Key indicate participation RPP elementary confidence curricula. Teachers reported experiences perceived professional development they received valuable integrating practices. significance parental involvement underscored Lim (2024), who "Discovery Play" program, utilizes open-ended construction play engineering design process. approach fosters skills—such decomposition algorithmic thinking—but empowers parents, especially those economically disadvantaged backgrounds, confidently learning. highlights effectiveness unplugged, family oriented methods development, particularly underserved communities may have formal opportunities. Meanwhile, Lemley Aladé investigate parents' after engaging CT-embedded media alongside Given rising emphasis STEM CT-focused audiences, reveals most participating parents were unfamiliar term "computational thinking" lacked clear learn skills—even exposure media. finding underscores need clearer messaging scaffolding around media, bolster reinforcement home. unique informal spaces, libraries museums, offers caregiver collaboration. Campana settings interviewing 18 library museum United States, explored goals strategies enabling varied roles. aim caregivers adopt roles ranging actively supervising facilitating collaboratively co-learning Various approaches, providing specific prompts, structured activities, atmosphere, implemented reinforce summary, collectively illustrate nature necessity formal, informal, home-based environments. embracing responsive, inclusive, pivotal role shaping thinkers. Yang present outlines ecosystem-driven pathway (Figure 2) advancing umbrella synthesizes 13 prior thorough landscape. We identify facets learners, abstraction, algorithms, decomposition, debugging, control structures. platforms used tangible robotics interactive apps. Crucially, age-appropriate instructional strategies, using narratives physical embodiments, group. insights outcomes associated assessment methods, training programs. employing methodology, addresses significant gaps actionable guidance policymakers. It resource aiming incorporate ensuring equipped future. An figure adapted Yang's hybridization (Yang, 2021, p. 24). movement toward gains momentum, accessible programs needs These generations AI-driven world (Yeter al., 2024). While promising human element should support, replace, (Berson Berson, shaped will possess ability tackle problems cannot solve. 21st-century enhances nurtures important personal traits perseverance communicate (Yang dedicated designing equitable curricula (e.g., To nurture thinkers, reform 2; Supporting co-facilitators home environment crucial, be achieved home-school collaboration, parent provision (Lemley Aladé, 2024; implementation student (Yim Wegerif, research-informed, emerges bridging gap practice, area (Hubelbank effective when supported (Harper comprehensive, system-wide reforms, establish solid foundation equips necessary succeed Weipeng Yang: Conceptualization; writing - original draft; editing. Jiahong Su: Writing Hui Li: Data sharing applicable article no datasets generated or analyzed during study.

Язык: Английский