Understanding Public Perceptions of K-12 Computational Thinking Education Through an Analysis of Quora

Stella Xin Yin; Dion Hoe Lian Goh; Choon Lang Quek; Zhengyuan Liu

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-35927-9_12

Understanding Public Perceptions of K-12 Computational Thinking Education Through an Analysis of Quora

Stella Xin Yin, Dion Hoe Lian Goh^*, Choon Lang Quek, Zhengyuan Liu

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

As more education systems integrate mandatory computational thinking (CT) classes into their curricula, understanding how the public perceives this issue is an important step in making educational policies and implementing educational reform. In this paper, we retrieved all accessible texts related to K-12 CT education on the Quora platform. The textual data obtained ranged from June 2010 to September 2022. We then performed topic modeling analysis to identify major topics and uncover meaningful themes of the public responses to CT education initiatives. In general, people expressed positive comments about CT education. However, they were still concerned about the difficulties in learning and education equality for disadvantaged groups. In addition, since CT practices develop students' essential skills in the job market, people may overestimate the outcomes of CT education. Our findings provide insights into public perceptions of children’s CT education. The results of this study can facilitate education policymaking, curriculum design, and further research directions.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Social Computing and Social Media - 15th International Conference, SCSM 2023, Held as Part of the 25th HCI International Conference, HCII 2023, Proceedings
Editors	Adela Coman, Simona Vasilache
Publisher	Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages	162-180
Number of pages	19
ISBN (Print)	9783031359262
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35927-9_12
Publication status	Published - 2023
Externally published	Yes
Event	15th International Conference on Social Computing and Social Media, SCSM 2023, held as part of the 25th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCII 2023 - Copenhagen, Denmark Duration: Jul 23 2023 → Jul 28 2023

Publication series

Name	Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume	14026 LNCS
ISSN (Print)	0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)	1611-3349

Conference

Conference	15th International Conference on Social Computing and Social Media, SCSM 2023, held as part of the 25th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCII 2023
Country/Territory	Denmark
City	Copenhagen
Period	7/23/23 → 7/28/23

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Theoretical Computer Science
General Computer Science

Keywords

coding
computational thinking
education
Quora
topic modeling

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-031-35927-9_12

Cite this

Yin, S. X., Goh, D. H. L., Quek, C. L., & Liu, Z. (2023). Understanding Public Perceptions of K-12 Computational Thinking Education Through an Analysis of Quora. In A. Coman, & S. Vasilache (Eds.), Social Computing and Social Media - 15th International Conference, SCSM 2023, Held as Part of the 25th HCI International Conference, HCII 2023, Proceedings (pp. 162-180). (Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics); Vol. 14026 LNCS). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35927-9_12

Yin, Stella Xin ; Goh, Dion Hoe Lian ; Quek, Choon Lang et al. / Understanding Public Perceptions of K-12 Computational Thinking Education Through an Analysis of Quora. Social Computing and Social Media - 15th International Conference, SCSM 2023, Held as Part of the 25th HCI International Conference, HCII 2023, Proceedings. editor / Adela Coman ; Simona Vasilache. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2023. pp. 162-180 (Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)).

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title = "Understanding Public Perceptions of K-12 Computational Thinking Education Through an Analysis of Quora",

abstract = "As more education systems integrate mandatory computational thinking (CT) classes into their curricula, understanding how the public perceives this issue is an important step in making educational policies and implementing educational reform. In this paper, we retrieved all accessible texts related to K-12 CT education on the Quora platform. The textual data obtained ranged from June 2010 to September 2022. We then performed topic modeling analysis to identify major topics and uncover meaningful themes of the public responses to CT education initiatives. In general, people expressed positive comments about CT education. However, they were still concerned about the difficulties in learning and education equality for disadvantaged groups. In addition, since CT practices develop students' essential skills in the job market, people may overestimate the outcomes of CT education. Our findings provide insights into public perceptions of children{\textquoteright}s CT education. The results of this study can facilitate education policymaking, curriculum design, and further research directions.",

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author = "Yin, {Stella Xin} and Goh, {Dion Hoe Lian} and Quek, {Choon Lang} and Zhengyuan Liu",

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Yin, SX, Goh, DHL, Quek, CL & Liu, Z 2023, Understanding Public Perceptions of K-12 Computational Thinking Education Through an Analysis of Quora. in A Coman & S Vasilache (eds), Social Computing and Social Media - 15th International Conference, SCSM 2023, Held as Part of the 25th HCI International Conference, HCII 2023, Proceedings. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), vol. 14026 LNCS, Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, pp. 162-180, 15th International Conference on Social Computing and Social Media, SCSM 2023, held as part of the 25th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCII 2023, Copenhagen, Denmark, 7/23/23. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35927-9_12

Understanding Public Perceptions of K-12 Computational Thinking Education Through an Analysis of Quora. / Yin, Stella Xin; Goh, Dion Hoe Lian; Quek, Choon Lang et al.
Social Computing and Social Media - 15th International Conference, SCSM 2023, Held as Part of the 25th HCI International Conference, HCII 2023, Proceedings. ed. / Adela Coman; Simona Vasilache. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2023. p. 162-180 (Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics); Vol. 14026 LNCS).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

TY - GEN

T1 - Understanding Public Perceptions of K-12 Computational Thinking Education Through an Analysis of Quora

AU - Yin, Stella Xin

AU - Goh, Dion Hoe Lian

AU - Quek, Choon Lang

AU - Liu, Zhengyuan

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - As more education systems integrate mandatory computational thinking (CT) classes into their curricula, understanding how the public perceives this issue is an important step in making educational policies and implementing educational reform. In this paper, we retrieved all accessible texts related to K-12 CT education on the Quora platform. The textual data obtained ranged from June 2010 to September 2022. We then performed topic modeling analysis to identify major topics and uncover meaningful themes of the public responses to CT education initiatives. In general, people expressed positive comments about CT education. However, they were still concerned about the difficulties in learning and education equality for disadvantaged groups. In addition, since CT practices develop students' essential skills in the job market, people may overestimate the outcomes of CT education. Our findings provide insights into public perceptions of children’s CT education. The results of this study can facilitate education policymaking, curriculum design, and further research directions.

AB - As more education systems integrate mandatory computational thinking (CT) classes into their curricula, understanding how the public perceives this issue is an important step in making educational policies and implementing educational reform. In this paper, we retrieved all accessible texts related to K-12 CT education on the Quora platform. The textual data obtained ranged from June 2010 to September 2022. We then performed topic modeling analysis to identify major topics and uncover meaningful themes of the public responses to CT education initiatives. In general, people expressed positive comments about CT education. However, they were still concerned about the difficulties in learning and education equality for disadvantaged groups. In addition, since CT practices develop students' essential skills in the job market, people may overestimate the outcomes of CT education. Our findings provide insights into public perceptions of children’s CT education. The results of this study can facilitate education policymaking, curriculum design, and further research directions.

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Yin SX, Goh DHL, Quek CL, Liu Z. Understanding Public Perceptions of K-12 Computational Thinking Education Through an Analysis of Quora. In Coman A, Vasilache S, editors, Social Computing and Social Media - 15th International Conference, SCSM 2023, Held as Part of the 25th HCI International Conference, HCII 2023, Proceedings. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. 2023. p. 162-180. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)). doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-35927-9_12

Understanding Public Perceptions of K-12 Computational Thinking Education Through an Analysis of Quora

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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