You are cordially invited to the online research seminar organized by the Department of Educational Sciences.<\/p>\n
Title: Children\u2019s Shape Composition and Decomposition Practices with Legos as a Window into Future Computational Thinking<\/p>\n
Speaker: Sezai Kocabas<\/p>\n
Date: Friday, 9 May 2025
\nTime: 16:30-17:30
\nLocation: Zoom
\nThis is an online seminar. To request event details please send a message to department.<\/p>\n
Abstract:
\nThis research talk explores twelve first-grade students\u2019 spatial reasoning and their ability to identify and fix discrepancies in Lego structures and step-by-step building manuals involving repeated patterns, with another aim to explore potential alignments between mathematical practices and computational thinking (CT) skills. Current mathematics standards emphasize the need for activities enhancing spatial reasoning. Early spatial reasoning development, often developed through playful activities like Lego construction, significantly impacts later academic success. Using multiple theoretical frameworks, the study involved an assessment and two Lego sessions where students identified and fixed the discrepancies. Key findings included spatial strategies students used such as rotating, flipping, and rebuilding Lego bricks, but often struggled to coordinate multiple spatial features. They also used symmetry and repeating patterns suggesting an early form of loops, a key concept of CT. Additionally, the strategies used to identify and fixed the discrepancies were similar to those found in programming, indicating that spatial reasoning activities may support the development of early debugging skills. The study highlighted that early exposure to spatial activities can lay the groundwork for more advanced CT skills, suggesting implications for educational practices, particularly in supporting parents (and more knowledgeable others) in enhancing children\u2019s spatial reasoning and CT in informal settings.<\/p>\n
Biodata:
\nSezai Kocabas is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he works on an NSF-funded mathematics graduate teaching assistant professional development project (Award Nos. 2013422, 2013563, 2013590) focused on implementing evidence-based teaching practices. He has a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from Purdue University, an M.S. in Teaching, Learning and Culture from Texas A&M University, and a B.S. in Elementary Education from Mehmet Akif Ersoy University. His research interests center around computational thinking, mathematical thinking, spatial reasoning, and teacher education, with a focus on the interplay among these domains. His dissertation explored young children\u2019s spatial reasoning and computational thinking through block play, with the pilot study supported by a Ross-Lynn grant at Purdue. He also worked on several research projects, including an NSF-funded project on commenting and debugging in early years programming (Award No. 1759254) and an internally funded project on AI-generated versus teacher-generated mathematics word problems in K-2 settings. Beyond research, he taught undergraduate and graduate courses, including elementary mathematics methods, teacher leadership, and STEM assessment. He uses evidence-based teaching practices, integrates innovative tools such as mixed-reality simulations and AI into his teaching. He is also an active member of professional communities, serving in leadership and reviewer roles.<\/p>\n
Curriculum & Instruction
\nEducational Sciences
\nGraduate School of Education<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
You are cordially invited to the online research seminar organized by the Department of Educational Sciences. Title: Children\u2019s Shape Composition and Decomposition Practices with Legos as a Window into Future Computational Thinking Speaker: Sezai Kocabas Date: Friday, 9 May 2025 Time: 16:30-17:30 Location: Zoom This is an online seminar. To [\u2026] <\/p>\n