Computers in the Schools· 2026Q1
A Robotics and Coding Project-Based Learning Module: Creative and Critical Thinking in Primary Classrooms
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- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
A Grade 4 project-based learning module using robotics and coding revealed that critical thinking (especially interpretation and analysis) was observed more frequently than creative thinking, with divergent thinking peaking during ideation and implementation showing the most overlap between creative and critical modes.
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Key points
- Critical thinking was observed more often than creative thinking in primary students during a robotics and coding module.
- Interpretation and analysis were the most frequent critical thinking modes, particularly during the skill-building phase.
- Divergent thinking was most evident during the ideation phase.
- The implementation phase showed the strongest overlap between creative and critical thinking modes.
- Robotics provided tangible feedback for testing and revision, while coding primarily supported interpretation and analysis.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Creative and critical thinking are emphasized in curriculum policy, yet little is known about how they appear together in primary project-based robotics and coding. This video-based study examined observable modes of creative and critical thinking, their phase-specific variation, and the affordances of robotics and coding in a Grade 4 project-based learning module. The data consisted of approximately 7,200 min of video from eight small groups in four classrooms. From this dataset, 112 one-minute segments were sampled across skill-building, ideation, implementation, and co-reflection phases and analyzed deductively using five creative and five critical thinking modes. Critical thinking was observed more often than creative thinking, especially interpretation and analysis during skill-building. Divergent thinking was most visible during ideation, whereas implementation involved the strongest overlap between creative and critical modes. Coding mainly foregrounded interpretation and analysis, while robotics created conditions for ideation, testing, and revision through tangible feedback.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Computers in the Schools, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Computer Science Applications
Computer Science ApplicationsComputer Science