Papers

This is a list of readings related to the computational thinking class. The papers are organized into three broad categories:
Not all of these will be used in the class. The ordering of papers is not significant.


Model (What is Computational Thinking?) [back to top]

Wing, J.M., Computational thinking. Commun. ACM, 2006. 49(3): p. 33-35.   [PDF]

Wing, J.M., Computational Thinking and Thinking About Computation. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, 2008. 366(1881): p. p. 3717-3725.   [PDF]

Wing, J., Computational Thinking--What and Why?, in thelink. 2011, Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science. p. 8. [PDF]

Report of a Workshop on the Scope and Nature of Computational Thinking. 2010, National Research Council. [PDF]

Aho, A., Computation and Computational Thinking. The Computer Journal, 2012. 56(7): p. 832-835. [PDF]

Lu, J.J. and G.H.L. Fletcher, Thinking About Computational Thinking, in SIGCSE'09. 2009: Chattanooga, TN, USA.   [PDF]

Blackwell, A.F., L. Church, and T. Green, The Abstract is an Enemy: Alternative Perspectrives to Computational Thinking, in Psychology of Programming Interest Group 20th Annual Workshop. 2008: Lancaster, UK. [PDF]

Astrachan, O., et al., The present and future of computational thinking, in Proceedings of the 40th ACM technical symposium on Computer science education. 2009, ACM: Chattanooga, TN, USA. p. 549-550. [PDF]

Selby, C., Computational Thinking: The Developing Definition, in 19th Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education. 2013: Canterbury, Great Britain. p. 6pp. [PDF]

Hu, C., Computational thinking: what it might mean and what we might do about it, in Proceedings of the 16th annual joint conference on Innovation and technology in computer science education. 2011, ACM: Darmstadt, Germany. p. 223-227. [PDF]

Weinberg, A., Computational Thinking: An Investigation of the Existing Scholarship and Research, in School of Education. 2013, Colorado State University: Fort Collins, CO. p. 98. [PDF]

International Society for Technology Education and Computer Science Teachers Association. Operational Definition of Computation Thinking for K-12 Education. [PDF]

Chun, B. and T. Piotrowski. Computational Thinking Illustrated.  2013; Available from: http://www.ctillustrated.com/. [PDF]

Berry, D.M., The Computational Turn: Thinking About the Digital Humanities. Culture Machine, 2011. 12. [PDF]

Computer Science: Reflections on the Field, Reflections from the Field. 2004, National Research Council. [PDF]

Kramer, J., Is abstraction the key to computing? Commun. ACM, 2007. 50(4): p. 36-42.   [PDF]

Barr, V. and C. Stephenson, Bringing computational thinking to K-12: what is Involved and what is the role of the computer science education community? ACM Inroads, 2011. 2(1): p. 48-54. [PDF]

Lamport, L., Computation and State Machines, in Available from:  http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/lamport/pubs/state-machine.pdf. 2008. [PDF]

Shaw, M., The impact of abstraction concerns on modern programming languages. Proceedings of the IEEE, 1980. 68(9): p. 1119-1130.   [PDF]

Shaw, M., Prospects for an Engineering Discipline of Software. IEEE Softw., 1990. 7(6): p. 15-24.   [PDF]

Lewis, C., Human-Centered Computing and Representation: A Framework, in CHI 2009. 2009: Boston, MA, USA.   [PDF]

Denning, P.J., Great principles of computing. Commun. ACM, 2003. 46(11): p. 15-20. [PDF]

Denning, P.J., The profession of IT: Beyond computational thinking. Commun. ACM, 2009. 52(6): p. 28-30. [PDF]


Pedagogy (How can it be taught?) [back to top]

Report of a Workshop on the Pedagogical Aspects of Computational Thinking. 2011, National Research Council. [PDF]

Perkovi, L., et al., A framework for computational thinking across the curriculum, in Proceedings of the fifteenth annual conference on Innovation and technology in computer science education. 2010, ACM: Bilkent, Ankara, Turkey. p. 123-127.   [PDF]

Kafura, D. and D. Tatar, Initial experience with a computational thinking course for computer science students, in Proceedings of the 42nd ACM technical symposium on Computer science education. 2011, ACM: Dallas, TX, USA. p. 251-256.   [PDF]

Hambrusch, S., et al., A multidisciplinary approach towards computational thinking for science majors, in Proceedings of the 40th ACM technical symposium on Computer science education. 2009, ACM: Chattanooga, TN, USA. p. 183-187.   [PDF]

Cortina, T.J., An introduction to computer science for non-majors using principles of computation, in Proceedings of the 38th SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education. 2007, ACM: Covington, Kentucky, USA. p. 218-222. [PDF]

Walden, J., et al., An informatics perspective on computational thinking, in Proceedings of the 18th ACM conference on Innovation and technology in computer science education. 2013, ACM: Canterbury, England, UK. p. 4-9. [PDF]

Howland, K., J. Good, and K. Nicholson, Language-based support for computational thinking, in Proceedings of the 2009 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing (VL/HCC). 2009, IEEE Computer Society. p. 147-150.   [PDF]

Freudenthal, E.A., et al., MPCT: media propelled computational thinking, in Proceedings of the 41st ACM technical symposium on Computer science education. 2010, ACM: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. p. 37-41. [PDF]

Ruthmann, A., et al., Teaching computational thinking through musical live coding in scratch, in Proceedings of the 41st ACM technical symposium on Computer science education. 2010, ACM: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. p. 351-355.   [PDF]

Edwards, M., Algorithmic composition: computational thinking in music. Commun. ACM, 2011. 54(7): p. 58-67. [PDF]

Good, J., et al., An embodied interface for teaching computational thinking, in Proceedings of the 13th international conference on Intelligent user interfaces. 2008, ACM: Gran Canaria, Spain. p. 333-336. [PDF]

Berland, M. and V.R. Lee, Collaborative strategic board games as a site for distributed computational thinking. International Journal of Game-Based Learning, 2011. 1(2): p. 65-81. [PDF]

Guzdial, M., Education: Paving the way for computational thinking. Commun. ACM, 2008. 51(8): p. 25-27.   [PDF]

Schwarz C.V., et al., Developing a learning progression for scientific modeling: Making scientific modeling accessible and meaningful for learners. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 2009. 46(6): p. 632-654.   [PDF]

Weller, M.P., E.Y.-L. Do, and M.D. Gross, Escape machine: teaching computational thinking with a tangible state machine game, in Proceedings of the 7th international conference on Interaction design and children. 2008, ACM: Chicago, Illinois. p. 282-289.   [PDF]

Sherin, B., Representing Geometric Constructions As Programs: A Brief Exploration. International Journal of Computers for Mathematical Learning, 2002. 7(1): p. 101-115.   [PDF]

Sieg, W., The AProS Project: Strategic Thinking & Computational Logic. Logic Journal of IGPL, 2007. 15(4): p. 359-368. [PDF]

Sherin, B.L., A Comparison of Programming Languages and Algebraic Notation as Expressive Languages for Physics. International Journal of Computers for Mathematical Learning, 2001. 6(1): p. 1-61.   [PDF]

Lehrer, R. and L. Schauble, Developing Model-Based Reasoning in Mathematics and Science. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 2000. 21(1): p. 39-48.   [PDF]

A Model Curriculum for K-12 Computer Science. 2003, ACM K-12 Task Force Curriculum Committee. [PDF]

Felleisen, M. and S. Krishnamurthi, Viewpoint: Why computer science doesn't matter. Commun. ACM, 2009. 52(7): p. 37-40 [PDF]

Wilensky, U., Modeling Nature's Emergent Patterns with Multi-Agent Languages, in Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling. 2013, Available at: http://ccl.northwestern.edu/papers/2013/mnep9.pdf: Northwestern University.   [PDF]

Wilensky, U. and W. Stroup, Learning through participatory simulations: network-based design for systems learning in classrooms, in Proceedings of the 1999 conference on Computer support for collaborative learning. 1999, International Society of the Learning Sciences: Palo Alto, California. p. 80.   [PDF]

Repenning, A., D. Webb, and A. Ioannidou, Scalable game design and the development of a checklist for getting computational thinking into public schools, in Proceedings of the 41st ACM technical symposium on Computer science education. 2010, ACM: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. p. 265-269.   [PDF]

Sengupta, P., et al., Integrating computational thinking with K-12 science education using agent-based computation: A theoretical framework. Education and Information Technologies, 2013. 18(2): p. 351-380.   [PDF]

Grover, S. and R. Pea, Computational Thinking in K-12: A Review of the State of the Field. Educational Researcher, 2013. 42(1): p. 38-43. [PDF]

Briggs, B.N., et al., Incorporating Biomechanicl Research Topics Into K-12 Classroom Design Projects to Broaden Participation and Increase Engineering Interest, in ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. 2011: Denver, CO, USA. p. 333-341. [PDF]

Andersen, R., Component Content Management: Shaping the Discourse through Innovation Diffusion Research and Reciprocity. Technical Communications Quarterly, 2011. 20(4): p. 384-411. [PDF]

Day, D., M. Priestley, and D. Schell, Introduction to the Darwin Information Typing Architecture, in IBM developerWorks (see http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/xml/library/x-dita1/). 2005, IBM Corporation. p. 13. [PDF]


Assessment (How can it be measured and learned?) [back to top]

Tew, A.E. and M. Guzdial, The FCS1: a language independent assessment of CS1 knowledge, in Proceedings of the 42nd ACM technical symposium on Computer science education. 2011, ACM: Dallas, TX, USA. p. 111-116.   [PDF]

Martin, T., S. Rivale, and K. Diller, Comparison of Student Learning in Challenge-based and Traditional Instruction in Biomedical Engineering. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 2007. 35(8): p. 1312-1323.   [PDF]

Pea, R., E. Soloway, and J.C. Spohrer, The Buggy Path to the Development of Programming Expertise. Focus on Learning Problems in Mathematics, 1987. 9(1): p. 5-30.   [PDF]

Snow, E., et al., Assessing Computational Thinking, in NSF-CE21 Community Meeting. 2012: Washington, D.C., USA. [PDF]

Werner, L., et al., The fairy performance assessment: measuring computational thinking in middle school, in Proceedings of the 43rd ACM technical symposium on Computer Science Education. 2012, ACM: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. p. 215-220.   [PDF]

Marshall, K.S., Was That CT? Assessing Computational Thinking Patterns through Video-Based Prompts, in Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. 2011: New Orleans, Louisiana.   [PDF]

Herman, G.L. and M.C. Loui, Administering a Digital Logic Concept Inventory at Multiple Institutions, in 118th ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition. 2011: Vancouver, B.C. Canada.   [PDF]

Brennen, K. and M. Resnick, New Frameworks for Studying and Assessing the Development of Computational Thinking, in Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. 2012: Vancouver, Canada.   [PDF]

Aiken, J.M., et al., Understanding Student Computational Thinking with Computational Modeling, in Physics Education Research Conference: Philadelphia, PA, USA.   [PDF]

Koh, K.H., et al., Towards the Automatic Recognition of Computational Thinking for Adaptive Visual Language Learning, in Proceedings of the 2010 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing. 2010, IEEE Computer Society. p. 59-66. [PDF]

Bennett, V.E., K. Koh, and A. Repenning, Computing creativity: divergence in computational thinking, in Proceeding of the 44th ACM technical symposium on Computer science education. 2013, ACM: Denver, Colorado, USA. p. 359-364. [PDF]

Learning [back to top]

National Research Council, How people learn: brain, mind, experience, and school. 2004, Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press. [PDF]

Bodker, S., Creating conditions for participation: conflicts and resources in systems development. Hum.-Comput. Interact., 1996. 11(3): p. 215-236.   [PDF]

Bransford, J.D. and D.L. Schwart, Rethinking Transfer: A Siimple Proposal With Multiple Implications, in Review of Research in Education, A. Iran-Nejad and P.D. Pearson, Editors. 1999. p. 61-101. [PDF]

Bransford, J.D., et al., Learning Theories and Education: Toward a Decade of Synergy, in Handbook of Educational Psychology, P. Alexander and P. Winne, Editors. 2006, Erlbaum: Mahwah, NJ, USA. p. 39-77. [PDF]

Schwartz, D.L., J.D. Bransford, and D. Sears, Efficiency and Innovation in Transfer, in Transfer of Learning: From a Modern Multidisciplinary Perspective, J.P. Mestre, Editor. 2005, Information Age Publishing. p. 1-51.   [PDF]