Cognitive competencies by early programming instruction

Researcher Dr. Esther Ziegler   

Computational devices and automated computing processes are omnipresent in our everyday lives. However, only a minority of people understands the underlying computer science concepts. In most western countries, computer science does not play a considerable role in school curricula even though there is high demand for more computer scientists and software developers.

We investigate whether early computer science education through programming at primary school helps raise interest and later programming career choices. But we also look at the impact of early programming instruction on a wide range of general cognitive competencies such as metacognition, deductive reasoning, mathematical problem solving, visuo-spatial and diagrammatic skills, and complex problem solving.