Knowledge mapping of Computational Thinking and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CT+STEM)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33830/ijdmde.v1i1.7599Keywords:
Bibliometric, Computational Thinking, Scopus, STEMAbstract
Despite growing interest in Computational Thinking (CT) integration within STEM education, significant gaps remain—particularly regarding underrepresented college students, CT inclusion at the entry level, and limited teacher preparation for CT integration. This study addresses these gaps by examining how educators’ professional experiences influence their attitudes and practices related to CT in STEM contexts. It also underscores the urgent need for empirical evidence to navigate the tension between generalized critical thinking frameworks and the unique demands of scientific representations in instructional planning. To map the development and current landscape of CT+STEM research, a bibliometric analysis was conducted on literature published between 1978 and 2023. The analysis reveals a consistent annual growth rate of 7.22% in the CT+STEM domain, encompassing 241 publications across 127 scholarly sources. The study identifies key authors, institutions, and influential works, while also visualizing global collaboration patterns and thematic trends in the field. This research contributes to the advancement of CT+STEM by providing a comprehensive overview of its evolution, highlighting areas of strength and underexplored dimensions. Although the study is quantitative in nature and acknowledges limitations such as potential database bias, it lays a foundation for future inquiry into qualitative methodologies, pedagogical strategies, and inclusive practices. The findings hold significant implications for educational policy, workforce development, and digital-age problem-solving, and call for deeper exploration into the pedagogical and sociocultural dynamics that shape effective CT+STEM integration.
References
Agbo, F., Oyelere, S., Suhonen, J & Adewumi, S. (2019). A systematic review of computational thinking approach for programming education in higher education institutions. In Proceedings of the 19th Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research (pp. 1-10). https://doi.org/10.1145/3364510.3364521
García-Peñalvo, F., Conde, M., Gonçalves, J & Lima, J. (2021). Current trends in robotics in education and computational thinking. In Ninth International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality (TEEM'21) (pp. 9-12). https://doi.org/10.1145/3486011.3486411
Kallia, M., Borkulo, S., Drijvers, P., Barendsen, E & Tolboom, J. (2021). Characterizing computational thinking in mathematics education: a literature-informed Delphi study. Research in Mathematics Education, 23(2), 159-187. https://doi.org/10.1080/14794802.2020.1852104
Korkmaz, Ö & Bai, X. (2019). Adapting computational thinking scale (CTS) for Chinese high school students and their thinking scale skills level. Participatory Educational Research, 6(1), 10-26. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.19.2.6.1
Lee, I., Grover, S., Martin, F., Pillai, S & Malyn-Smith, J. (2019). Computational thinking from a disciplinary perspective: integrating computational thinking in k-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 29(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-019-09803-w
Lyon, J. & Magana, A. (2020). Computational thinking in higher education: a review of the literature. Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 28(5), 1174-1189. https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.22295
Psycharis, S & Kotzampasaki, E. (2019). The impact of a stem inquiry game learning scenario on computational thinking and computer self-confidence. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics Science and Technology Education, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/103071
Rich, P. and Hodges, C. (2017). Emerging research, practice, and policy on computational thinking. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52691-1
Soltanian, S. and Dehghani, H. (2018). Boris: a key regulator of cancer stemness. Cancer Cell International, 18(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12935-018-0650-8
Agbo, F. J., Oyelere, S. S., Suhonen, J., & Adewumi, S. E. (2019). A Systematic Review of Computational Thinking Approach for Programming Education in Higher Education Institutions. In Proceedings of the 19th Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research (pp. 1-10). https://doi.org/10.1145/3364510.3364521
Basu, S., Biswas, G., Sengupta, P., Dickes, A., Kinnebrew, J. S., & Clark, D. (2016). Identifying middle school students’ challenges in computational thinking-based science learning. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 11(1), 13-42. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41039-016-0036-2
Bers, M. U. (2018). Coding and computational thinking in early childhood: the impact of ScratchJr in Europe. European Journal of STEM Education, 3(3), 1-13 https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/3868
Chen, W., Ahmed, M., Sofiah, W. I., Mat Isa, N. A., Ebrahim, N. A., & Hai, T. (2021). A Bibliometric Statistical Analysis of the Fuzzy Inference System - Based Classifiers. Ieee Access. https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2021.3082908
Chen, Y.-C., Tsui, P.-L., & Lee, C.-S. (2021). Is mathematics required for cooking? An interdisciplinary approach to integrating computational thinking in a culinary and restaurant management course. Mathematics, 9(18). https://doi.org/10.3390/math9182219
Ching, Y.-H., & Hsu, Y.-C. (2023). Educational robotics for developing computational thinking in young learners: a systematic review. Techtrends, 68(2), 423–434 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-023-00841-1
Ching, Y.-H., Hsu, Y.-C., & Baldwin, S. (2018). Developing computational thinking with educational technologies for young learners. TechTrends, 62(6), 563 – 573. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-018-0292-7
Chondrogiannis, E., Symeonaki, E., Papachristos, D., Loukatos, D., & Arvanitis, K. G. (2021). Computational thinking and stem in agriculture vocational training: A case study in a greek vocational education institution. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 11(1), 230–250. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe11010018
Eguchi, A. (2016). RoboCupJunior for promoting STEM education, 21st-century skills, and technological advancement through robotics competition. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 75, 692 – 699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.robot.2015.05.013
English, L. D. (2017). Advancing elementary and middle school STEM education. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 15, 5–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-017-9802-x
Gunadi, F., Sudirman, S., Runisah, R., Senjaya, A., & Mustari, S. (2023). Impact of STEM Learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) on Students’ Mathematics Thinking Ability: Systematic Literature Review. In Proceedings of the 2nd Multidisciplinary International Conference, MIC 2022, 12 November 2022, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia.
Guzey, S. S., Moore, & Harwell, M. R. (2016). Building up STEM: an analysis of teacher-developed engineering design-based STEM integration curricular materials. Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research, 6(1), 11-29. https://doi.org/10.7771/2157-9288.1129
Hinojo-lucena, F. J., Dúo-Terrón, P., Navas-Parejo, M. R., Rodríguez-Jiménez, C., & Moreno-Guerrero, A.-J. (2020). Scientific performance and mapping of the term STEM in education on the Web of Science. Sustainability, 12(6), 2279. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062279
Ioannou, A., & Makridou, E. (2018). Exploring the potentials of educational robotics in the development of computational thinking: A summary of current research and practical proposal for future work. Education and Information Technologies, 23(6), 2531–2544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-018-9729-z
Jaipal-Jamani, K., & Angeli, C. (2017). Effect of robotics on elementary preservice teachers’ self-efficacy, science learning, and computational thinking. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 26(2), 175 – 192. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-016-9663-z
Jeong, S., & Kim, H. (2015). The effect of a climate change monitoring program on students’ knowledge and perceptions of STEAM education in Korea. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 11(6), 1321–1338. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2015.1390a
Knie, L., Standl, B., & Schwarzer, S. (2022). First experiences of integrating computational thinking into a blended learning in-service training program for STEM teachers. Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 30(5), 1423-1439. https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.22529
Law, K. E., Karpudewan, M., & Zaharudin, R. (2021). Computational thinking in STEM education among matriculation science students. Asia Pacific Journal of Educators and Education, 36(1), 177-194. https://doi.org/10.21315/apjee2020.36.1.10
Lee, I., Grover, S., Martin, F., Pillai, S., & Malyn-Smith, J. (2019). Computational thinking from a disciplinary perspective: integrating computational thinking in K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 29(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-019-09803-w
Leonard, J., Buss, A., Gamboa, R., Mitchell, M., Fashola, O. S., Hubert, T., & Almughyirah, S. (2016). Using Robotics and Game Design to Enhance Children’s Self-Efficacy, STEM Attitudes, and Computational Thinking Skills. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 25(6), 860 – 876. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-016-9628-2
Liu, X., Wang, X., Ke-Xue, X., & Hu, X. (2023). Effect of Reverse Engineering Pedagogy on Primary School Students’ Computational Thinking Skills in STEM Learning Activities. Journal of Intelligence, 11(2), 36. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence11020036
Manches, A., & Plowman, L. (2017). Computing education in children’s early years: A call for debate. British Journal of Educational Technology, 48(1), 191–201. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12355
Moon, J., & Park, Y. (2022). Exploring South Korean elementary school classroom teachers’ beliefs and practices in physical education. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22), 15033. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215033
Osztián, P. R., Kátai, Z., & Osztián, E. (2022). On the computational thinking and diagrammatic reasoning of first-year computer science and engineering students. Frontiers in Education, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.933316
Peel, A., Sadler, T. D., & Friedrichsen, P. (2022). Algorithmic explanations: an unplugged instructional approach to integrate science and computational thinking. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 31(4), 428 – 441. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-022-09965-0
Psycharis, S., & Kotzampasaki, E. (2019). The impact of a STEM inquiry game learning scenario on computational thinking and computer self-confidence. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics Science and Technology Education, 15(4), em1689. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/103071
Repenning, A., Webb, D. C., Koh, K. H., Nickerson, H., Miller, S. B., Brand, C., Horses, I. H. M., Basawapatna, A., Gluck, F., Grover, R., Gutierrez, K., & Repenning, N. (2015). Scalable game design: A strategy to bring systemic computer science education to schools through game design and simulation creation. ACM Transactions on Computinig Education, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.1145/2700517
Richardo, R., Dwiningrum, S. I. A., Wijaya, A., Retnawati, H., Wahyudi, A., Sholihah, D. A., & Hidayah, K. N. (2023). The impact of STEM attitudes and computational thinking on 21st-century via structural equation modelling. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 12(2), 571 – 578. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v12i2.24232
Sengupta, P., Kinnebrew, J. S., Basu, S., Biswas, G., & Clark, D. (2013). Integrating computational thinking with K-12 science education using agent-based computation: A theoretical framework. Education and Information Technologies, 18(2), 351–380. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-012-9240-x
Supriyadi, E., Suryadi, D., Turmudi, T., Prabawanto, S., Juandi, D., & Dahlan, J. A. (2023). Didactical design research: a bibliometric analysis. Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, 18(Special Issue), 153–160. https://jestec.taylors.edu.my/Special Issue ISCoE 2022_2/ISCoE 2_20.pdf
Supriyadi, E., Turmudi, T., Dahlan, J. A., Juandi, D., Istikomah, E., Febriandi, R., & Sholikhakh, R. A. (2023). Global trend of ethnoscience research: a bibliometric analysis using scopus database. Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, 18 (Special Issue), 1–8. https://jestec.taylors.edu.my/Special Issue ISCoE 2022_2/ISCoE 2_01.pdf
Theobald, E. J., Hill, M. J., Tran, E., Agrawal, S., Arroyo, E. N., Behling, S., Chambwe, N., Cintrón, D. L., Cooper, J. D., Dunster, G. P., Grummer, J. A., Hennessey, K. M., Hsiao, J., Iranon, N. N., Jones, L., Jordt, H., Keller, M., Lacey, M. E., Littlefield, C. E., … Freeman, S. (2020). Active Learning Narrows Achievement Gaps for Underrepresented Students in Undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(12), 6476-6483. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1916903117
Troiano, G. M., Snodgrass, S., Argımak, E., Robles, G., Smith, G., Cassidy, M., Tucker-Raymond, E., Puttick, G., & Harteveld, C. (2019). Is My Game OK Dr. Scratch? Proceedings of the 18th ACM International Conference on Interaction Design and Children, 208–219. https://doi.org/10.1145/3311927.3323152
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
Yang, D., & S. Chittoori, B. C. (2022). Technology-supported engineering design and problem-solving for elementary students. International Journal of Technology in Education and Science, 6(4), 524-542. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijtes.406
Yata, C., Ohtani, T., & Isobe, M. (2020). Conceptual framework of STEM-based on Japanese subject principles. International Journal of STEM Education, 7(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-020-00205-8
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Edi Supriyadi, Joseph Gacusan Taban
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
