Browsing by Subject "STEM learning"
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- PublicationOpen AccessJudgment day : activating computational thinking activities with popular culture(Universidad de Murcia, Servicio de Publicaciones, 2021) Dousay, Tonia A.Interest as a learning construct provides more than inspiration for innovation. Dewey recognized the role of interest as a powerful tool to engage learners. Yet, despite contemporary efforts to study the phenomenon, few learning designs recognize this potential. The current paper presents a conceptual framework for integrating popular culture into STEM, using computational thinking competencies as both a critical mechanism and context for application and testing. Interest contributes to motivation through self-regulation, and self-regulation has the power to enhance the cycle of learning achievement and interest. Through this framework, Merrill’s Activation Principle provides guidance on why and how we should attend to this cycle. By evoking positive memories related to learner interests, we can enhance other stages of learning disconnected from the initial learning experience. STEM educators and scholars can use this framework and confidently design and evaluate learning activities targeting computational thinking development using popular media and culture.