Fostering Computational Thinking in Freshman Electrical Engineering Students through a Micro:Bit Code Project

Computational Thinking (CT) is an essential skill for budding engineers, particularly in the realm of Electrical and Computer Engineering. CT can be broadly defined as a problem-solving technique that involves dissecting complex problems into manageable steps, suitable for computer execution. Typically, students begin honing their CT skills during their initial programming-related courses. However, these courses often entail a steep learning curve as students grapple with programming rules, language syntax, and the array of tools at their disposal. For freshman electrical engineering students, who may perceive programming as an extraneous domain, this presents a unique challenge. This paper will describe the approach that was taken in an Introduction to Computer Applications for Electrical Engineers class to nurture and evaluate CT among freshman electrical engineering students. The primary objective was to cultivate proficiency in programming concepts, engineering design, and computational thinking while employing Python and the Micro:Bit platform to construct a functional Morse code machine as their final class project. This hands-on project bridged the gap between theory and application, rendering abstract concepts tangible and fostering a deeper understanding of programming principles. Students were also required to apply programming knowledge to interface with sensors and actuators present in the Micro:Bit platform. Overall, students engaged in a multifaceted learning experience, combining both theoretical and practical elements. They tackled key programming topics, including variables, arrays, logic and branching, loops, functions, and flowcharts, all while working towards the creation of their Morse code machine. By contextualizing these programming concepts within a real-world application, students were motivated to explore beyond their comfort zones and leverage CT skills to develop creative solutions.