Teaching Computational Thinking Using Open-Source, High-Impact Practice Project-based Approach

This paper explores a novel pedagogical approach incorporating Open Educational Resources (OER) and High Impact Practices (HIPs) for cultivating computational thinking in engineering education. It diverges from the conventional practice of introducing these concepts primarily through programming courses. Instead, this approach advocates for the integration of project-based hardware programming applications into the curriculum. The paper details a successful implementation of this methodology within a first-year computing course, utilizing Arduino and MATLAB as the primary tools. The core of this approach is to immerse students in hands-on hardware programming projects, aiming to foster a deeper engagement and enthusiasm for engineering applications and computational thinking. This method has demonstrated a significant enhancement in student performance within the course. Comprehensive statistical assessment methods were employed to validate the effectiveness of this teaching model. These included quantitative and qualitative analyses, offering a robust evaluation of the pedagogy's impact. Furthermore, the paper presents a comparative analysis between this innovative teaching model and the traditional format of the same course. This comparison is critical in highlighting the advancements and improvements brought about by the project-based approach. The findings from this study offer valuable insights and evidence for the merit of integrating hands-on hardware programming in early engineering education, suggesting a transformative shift in teaching computational thinking to engineering students.