An Example of Unplugged Coding Education in Preschool Period: Activity-Based Algorithm for Problem Solving Skills

Abstract

This study aimed to introduce unplugged algorithm activities developed for preschool children and to examine their implementation process. The activities used in the study were designed to support preschool children to develop and apply different solutions to problem situations that require algorithmic thinking and to learn basic algorithm concepts, such as unit, loop, and command. In total, 24 algorithm activities were used with 16 kindergarten students over a period of 8 weeks. The classroom observations revealed that the students actively participated in the activities, were highly motivated, developed a variety of solutions to the problems, and made sense of the algorithm concepts. Explaining the general structure of unplugged algorithm activities and elaborating on how they can be used in preschool classrooms to promote problem solving skills of the students might offer guidance for practitioners and researchers in the field.