Blankenship, R J; Cherner, T
(Ed.)
This study investigates the effects of embodied learning experiences in learning abstract concepts, such as computational thinking (CT), among young learners. Specifically, it examines whether the benefits of embodied learning can be replicated within a mixed-reality setting, where students engage with virtual objects to perform CT tasks. A group of 10 first-grade students from an elementary school participated, engaging in embodied learning activities followed by assessments in CT. Through the analysis of video recordings, it was observed that participants could effectively articulate CT concepts, including the understanding of programming code meanings and their sequences, through their bodily movements. The congruence between students’ bodily movement and CT concepts was advantageous for their comprehension. However, the study also noted incongruent movements that did not align with the intended CT concepts, which attracted researchers’ attention. The study identified two distinct types of embodiments manifested in the mixed-reality environment, which shed light on the nuanced dynamics of embodied learning in CT education.
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