engleski

Object-oriented Programming in Primary Education

Abstract Informatics as a subject in elementary schools is rather new. In Croatia it is a faculty subject for children between 5th and 8th grade although there is a tendency to introduce this subject in lower grades as well. According to the official program informatics for elementary school pupils have computer programming lessons as late as in 8th grade. Research studies in the world have shown that computer programming is not conditioned with mathematical knowledge but promotes development of procedural, algorithmic thinking and stimulates the spirit of exploration. To achieve this, problems from others, already known fields of education, are being used. Experience from USA indicate that children from the age of 7 years old should be introduced in objective programming in a funny and acceptable way so that they learn to think in procedures and algorithms. On the foundation of education through games for development of procedural and algorithmic way of thinking ability we can, from the 5th to the 8th grade, continue to build up with real object oriented programming language. This paper speculates on replacement of procedural programming languages (Pascal, Basic and Logo) and traditional forms of education with object oriented programming languages and modern approach to IT education. According to comparison of characteristics of programming languages assistant tools we can choose corresponding technical implementation in process of teaching. Elementary school educational applications have not changed for several years. Therefore the potential of new technologies and adequate methods has not been utilized. With this paper we suggest replacement of contemporary educational program with new and more remunerative one.

children; elementary school; informatics; object-oriented approach; programming; C#; Scratch; education.

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