A Study on the Development of Materials for Teaching and Learning Decimals Using Entry

On the assumption that computational thinking is an important mathematics literacy of elementary school students, this study aims to develop teaching and learning mathematics environment using Entry as a coding program for integrated computational thinking and learning mathematics. For the purpose of this study, two research questions were set up as follows: First, constructing lessons of decimals using Entry and developing teaching and learning materials using Entry. Second, implementing them in elementary school students’ lessons and analyzing the results of developed and implemented lessons with teaching and learning materials. The subjects of study are six students among whom two 3rd graders have not learned decimals, and one 4th grader and three 5th graders have even learned addition and subtraction of decimals. Lessons were performed by grade at a different level using the developed materials and in the course of it, the materials on three topics of lesson were modified and supplemented. The results of this study are the followings: First, three topics for teaching and learning decimals using Entry were constructed and associated with elementary school mathematics curriculum. Teaching and learning decimals using Entry is effective for introducing the concept of decimals for elementary school students. Three topics were organized based on decimals contents of 3th-4th grader band in the elementary school mathematics curriculum. Teaching and learning materials were developed for learning the concept of decimals; ‘Running Race,’ ‘Blinking Light,’ and ‘Making My Own Coding.’ Three lesson plans with teaching and learning materials were developed and implemented for elementary school students. Second, the students were observed to participate in the learning actively, as they could check and correct the errors of learning easily. They were able to achieve leaning objectives of making materials for learning decimals on their own and by this, understanding the concept of decimals and comparing the size of decimals.