Objectives and Contribution to the Teaching and Learning of Science

Our learning goal is the acquisition of basic computational thinking concepts together with basic physical and natural science concepts. PhysGramming is planned to be used within the context of physical and natural science courses, based on the results of research that have revealed the beneficial use of technology regarding the empowerment of learning outcomes in early childhood education.

The most important characteristic of the proposed educational technique is that children turn into creators, according to the theory of constructivism, while participating in physical and natural science courses, in a way that provides familiarity with the basic principles of object-oriented programming and computational thinking, without a direct reference to them.

The innovative educational computational environment PhysGramming contributes to integrating programming in the first and second grade of primary school. Its use according to the educational technique we propose, satisfies several relevant factors, such as the "do-it-yourself" culture and ethos of digital natives, the contemporary educational tense to disseminate computational thinking and the need to encourage technological culture. PhysGramming supports self-expression and gives vent to children's imagination and creativity.

Based on children's enthusiastic acceptance of the proposed approach, we claim that we add to the learning process by making it fun and engaging. We also advocate the overturn of the status quo that keeps the computer laboratories remote from the everyday classroom activities.