Teaching Computer Algorithm as a Medium of Improving Problem Solving Skills in Elementary School Students

Abstract

Teaching computer algorithm is one of the basic steps of teaching computer programming. It helps the programmers to understand what the problem is and how it is supposed to be solved. Therefore this process requires a certain level of problem solving iskills. The purpose of this experimental study is to investigate if the process of learning and using computer algorithm can improve the problem solving skills of elementary school students. The findings of this study are considered important and useful since placing a programming course into the curriculum was considered by the Ministry of Education in Turkey. The results of the study suggest that there is a significant difference between the experimental group and the control group according to their problem solving skills in favor of the experimental group.