TY - GEN
T1 - Pattern recognition in programming to support the evaluation of Computational Thinking
AU - Pacheco-Portuguez, Steven
AU - Gonzalez-Torres, Antonio
AU - Sancho-Chavarria, Lilliana
AU - Trejos-Zelaya, Ignacio
AU - Monge-Fallas, Jorge
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 IEEE.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Computational thinking is a high-level skill that involves both critical and creative thinking. This research proposes an advanced method for analyzing source code to assess computational thinking skills in elementary school students. We present a large-scale approach that examines source code from various programming exercises using a generalized abstract syntax tree, enabling language-independent analysis. Clustering techniques are applied to identify different levels of computational thinking development in areas such as parallelism, data representation, abstraction and decomposition, control flow, and programming structure. The results of the automated assessment provide insights into students' computational thinking abilities across diverse populations, highlighting opportunities for improving the educational framework.
AB - Computational thinking is a high-level skill that involves both critical and creative thinking. This research proposes an advanced method for analyzing source code to assess computational thinking skills in elementary school students. We present a large-scale approach that examines source code from various programming exercises using a generalized abstract syntax tree, enabling language-independent analysis. Clustering techniques are applied to identify different levels of computational thinking development in areas such as parallelism, data representation, abstraction and decomposition, control flow, and programming structure. The results of the automated assessment provide insights into students' computational thinking abilities across diverse populations, highlighting opportunities for improving the educational framework.
KW - Computational thinking assessment
KW - clustering techniques
KW - code analysis
KW - generic abstract syntax tree
KW - pattern recognition
KW - software metrics
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105007411957
U2 - 10.1109/EDUNINE62377.2025.10981362
DO - 10.1109/EDUNINE62377.2025.10981362
M3 - Contribución a la conferencia
AN - SCOPUS:105007411957
T3 - EDUNINE 2025 - 9th IEEE Engineering Education World Conference: Education in the Age of Generative AI: Embracing Digital Transformation - Proceedings
BT - EDUNINE 2025 - 9th IEEE Engineering Education World Conference
A2 - Brito, Claudio da Rocha
A2 - Ciampi, Melany M.
PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
T2 - 9th IEEE Engineering Education World Conference, EDUNINE 2025
Y2 - 23 March 2025 through 26 March 2025
ER -