Computational thinking in solving engineering problems – a conceptual model

Neo, Choon Hui

Abstract

Programming is an excellent approach to cultivating computational thinking (CT) skills lacking among current engineering undergraduate students. Although highly useful in teaching programming skills, physical, tangible programming tools available in the market are limited to users aged 12 and below, a gap that impedes the effort to cultivate problem-solving skills and computational thinking among engineering students. As a result, many students who join engineering programmes are without solid computer programming skills. This paper proposes a method to tackle the said gap by applying physical programming education blocks. The programming blocks have various logical functions and input-output capabilities that allow decision-making, looping, and function calling. Users can build their logical thinking skills in the form of cause-and-effect analysis using the play method. Through this approach, students can enhance their programming skills, which improves their computational thinking ability and complex problem-solving skills. It is hoped that such an approach could help them in transiting from tangible programming to textbased programming.

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