Research Instruments

Computational Thinking Test (CTt)

Based on the validated version by Román-González, Marcos et al. (2018). “Can computational talent be detected? Predictive validity of the Computational Thinking Test” International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, Volume 18, 2018, pgs 47-58,
ISSN 2212-8689.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2018.06.004.

See the most recent version in PDF

Interview Guide for Data Science Focus Groups

Integrating computation and science problem-solving in informal learning

Date:

Participant number:

Interviewer name:

Thank you for talking with us about Minecraft! I would like to learn more about why you like Minecraft and how you play. There are no right or wrong answers, so please just share anything that comes to mind. This should take about 20 minutes. Is it OK if I record your answers so we don’t miss any parts of your answers?

  1. What video games other than Minecraft do you like to play and why? (1 or 2)

Possible prompts:           How often do you play?

What is your favorite game?

  • Do you like to play in creative mode? (If yes) Give me some examples of things you like to do in creative mode.

Possible prompts:            Do you explore new maps mostly? Go into caves?

                                          What kinds of things do you build?

  • What was your favorite activity of the week in camp?                            
  • What kind of computer programming have you done before?  (If yes) What systems have you used to learn?  What languages do you know?   How do you feel about computer programming?  (Field note) get to know them better.

Possible prompts:          Did you learn the language at school?

  • What have you liked learning about computer craft/turtles and what else would you like to do with it? 
  • Could you describe to me what Data Science is?

Possible prompts:                     In what parts of this camp did you learn data science skills?

              Which parts did you enjoy learning about?

              Which parts did you find challenging?

Are there any other skills that involve collecting data, using the data, or displaying it that you would have liked to learn with a turtle?

  • What are some things we can do with data once we have collected it?
  • In this camp we have learned how to collect data using a turtle and use that data to make a bar graph to display different types of blocks that are around the turtle:
    • Describe the fruit snack activity students completed on Day 1 and tie it into the question prompt.
    • Could you think of another way that data can be displayed?
  • What is one global challenge problem that you can think of? Now imagine this problem is simulated in Minecraft. How can you use data science skills with the turtle’s help to visualize the problem? Can you think of a solution to this challenge in Minecraft? What data would you need to collect for your solution?
    • Examples I gave:  hunger, flooding, earthquakes…

Extra Question:

  1. *Do you like Redstone?  (If yes) Tell me about something you like do with Redstone.

Possible prompts:           What components did you need in your creation?

(switches, repeaters)

  1. Have you used Minecraft in school for any reason?  Tell me what you did and if teachers helped. (If no) In which class would you want to use Minecraft to learn more about the subject?