Design of Cognitive Tools to Enhance Problem-Solving in Computer Language Programming for High School Students

Abstract

Programming is a complicated science and includes many skills, and it is also a key part in promoting problem-solving and higher-order thinking skills of students in the 21st century. The purposes of this research are to design and to develop the cognitive tools to enhance the problem-solving skill in computer language programming for high school students. The research study is a developmental research, and the statistic method includes document analyses, surveys and case studies. The participants are experts in content validity, instructional design, media learning design, learning environment, and evaluation. In terms of the research procedure, this study was carried out through 5 steps: a study of the theories and research; a study of the context; a synthesis of theoretical framework of cognitive tools; a synthesis of designing framework of cognitive tools; and an evolution of the efficiency of the cognitive tools designing framework. The data analysis employed an interpretation and conclusion by the researcher. The result revealed that the designing framework consisted of 7 essential elements which were: Problem-Based Tools, Information Seeking Tools, Information Presentation Tools, Knowledge Organization Tools, Knowledge Integration Tools, Knowledge Generation Tools, and Communication Tools. According to the expert review, the designing framework was of efficiency.