research-article

A Crafts-Oriented Approach to Computing in High School: Introducing Computational Concepts, Practices, and Perspectives with Electronic Textiles

Authors:

Yasmin B. Kafai,

Kristin Searle,

Deborah Fields,

Debora LuiAuthors Info & Claims

ACM Transactions on Computing Education (TOCE), Volume 14, Issue 1

Article No.: 1, Pages 1 - 20

https://doi.org/10.1145/2576874

Published: 01 March 2014 Publication History

Abstract

In this article, we examine the use of electronic textiles (e-textiles) for introducing key computational concepts and practices while broadening perceptions about computing. The starting point of our work was the design and implementation of a curriculum module using the LilyPad Arduino in a pre-AP high school computer science class. To understand students’ learning, we analyzed the structure and functionality of their circuits and program code as well as their design approaches to making and debugging their e-textile creations and their views of computing. We also studied students’ changing perceptions of computing. Our discussion addresses the need for and design of scaffolded challenges and the potential for using crafts materials and activities such as e-textiles for designing introductory courses that can broaden participation in computing.

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Beheshti MShah SZhang HBarnett MHira A(2024)Affordances of Technology for Sustainability-Oriented K–12 Informal Engineering EducationSustainability10.3390/su1616671916:16(6719)Online publication date: 6-Aug-2024
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Index Terms

A Crafts-Oriented Approach to Computing in High School: Introducing Computational Concepts, Practices, and Perspectives with Electronic Textiles
1. Social and professional topics
  1. Professional topics
    1. Computing education
      1. Computing education programs
        Computer science education

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Published In

cover image ACM Transactions on Computing Education

ACM Transactions on Computing Education Volume 14, Issue 1

March 2014

98 pages

EISSN:1946-6226

DOI:10.1145/2600089

Editors:
Robert McCartney
University of Connecticut, USA
,
Josh Tenenberg
University of Washington--Tacoma, USA

Issue’s Table of Contents

Copyright © 2014 ACM.

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Association for Computing Machinery

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Publication History

Published: 01 March 2014

Accepted: 01 September 2013

Revised: 01 September 2013

Received: 01 March 2013

Published in TOCE Volume 14, Issue 1

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https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3641554.3701858
İzci K(2025)Promoting Computational Thinking Through STEM EducationIntegrating Computational Thinking Through Design-Based Learning10.1007/978-981-96-0853-9_10(167-191)Online publication date: 3-Jan-2025
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-0853-9_10
Beheshti MShah SZhang HBarnett MHira A(2024)Affordances of Technology for Sustainability-Oriented K–12 Informal Engineering EducationSustainability10.3390/su1616671916:16(6719)Online publication date: 6-Aug-2024
https://doi.org/10.3390/su16166719
Mills KCope JScholes LRowe L(2024)Coding and Computational Thinking Across the Curriculum: A Review of Educational OutcomesReview of Educational Research10.3102/00346543241241327Online publication date: 1-Apr-2024
https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543241241327
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Seraj MVerano Merino MRahimi EOchoa Venegas LHermans FBohrer R(2024)Programming Smart Objects: How Young Learners’ Programming Skills, Attitudes, and Perception Are InfluencedProceedings of the 2024 ACM SIGPLAN International Symposium on SPLASH-E10.1145/3689493.3689982(45-55)Online publication date: 17-Oct-2024
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