Computational Thinking Ability as the Foundation for Solving Contextual Mathematical Problems among Informatics Students
Abstract
This study examines the role of computational thinking (CT) ability as a foundational skill for solving contextual mathematical problems among informatics students. Contextual mathematical problems require students to translate real-world situations into mathematical representations, apply appropriate strategies, and interpret solutions meaningfully. Such processes align closely with core components of computational thinking, including decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithmic thinking. This study employed a quantitative correlational design involving undergraduate informatics students. Data were collected using a computational thinking test and a contextual mathematical problem-solving assessment. Statistical analysis was conducted using correlation and regression techniques to determine the contribution of CT ability to students’ problem-solving performance. The findings indicate that computational thinking ability has a significant and positive effect on students’ ability to solve contextual mathematical problems. These results suggest that strengthening computational thinking skills is essential for enhancing mathematical problem-solving competence, particularly in informatics education. The study provides empirical support for integrating computational thinking explicitly into mathematics-related courses for informatics students.
References
Denning, P. J. (2017). Computational thinking in science. American Scientist, 105(1), 13–17. https://doi.org/10.1511/2017.105.1.13
Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., & Alkassim, R. S. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11
Field, A. (2018). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
Grover, S., & Pea, R. (2018). Computational thinking: A competency whose time has come. In S. Sentance, E. Barendsen, & C. Schulte (Eds.), Computer science education: Perspectives on teaching and learning (pp. 19–38). Bloomsbury Academic.
Hassinger-Das, B., Zosh, J. M., Golinkoff, R. M., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Kittredge, A. K. (2020). Play-based learning and the development of mathematical skills. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 50, 44–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2019.07.011
Jones, S. M., McGarrah, M. W., & Kahn, J. (2019). Social and emotional learning: A principled science of human development in context. Educational Psychologist, 54(3), 129–143. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2019.1625776
Li, Y., O’Connor, E. E., & Dearing, E. (2019). Classroom emotional climate and children’s academic readiness. Developmental Psychology, 55(9), 1884–1897. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0000754
OECD. (2019). OECD learning compass 2030. OECD Publishing.
Ramani, G. B., & Scalise, N. R. (2020). It’s more than just fun and games: Play-based learning and mathematics development. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 29(5), 451–456. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721420944099
Sarama, J., & Clements, D. H. (2019). Early childhood mathematics education research. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 48, 163–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2019.01.004
Schoenfeld, A. H. (2016). Learning to think mathematically: Problem solving, metacognition, and sense making. Journal of Education, 196(2), 1–38. https://doi.org/10.1177/002205741619600202
Stillman, G., Brown, J., & Galbraith, P. (2016). Research into mathematical modelling. In G. Stillman et al. (Eds.), Mathematical modelling and applications (pp. 1–19). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-36987-0_1
Weintrop, D., Beheshti, E., Horn, M., Orton, K., Jona, K., Trouille, L., & Wilensky, U. (2016). Defining computational thinking for mathematics and science classrooms. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 25(1), 127–147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-015-9581-5
Wing, J. M. (2014). Computational thinking benefits society. Social Issues in Computing.
.jpg){kind=logo}
