1. Abstraction in Computer Science Education: An Overview.
- Author
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MIROLO, Claudio, IZU, Cruz, LONATI, Violetta, and SCAPIN, Emanuele
- Subjects
ABSTRACTION (Computer science) ,COMPUTER science education ,COMPUTER science ,COMPUTER scientists ,APPLICATION software - Abstract
When we "think like a computer scientist," we are able to systematically solve problems in different fields, create software applications that support various needs, and design artefacts that model complex systems. Abstraction is a soft skill embedded in all those endeavours, being a main cornerstone of computational thinking. Our overview of abstraction is intended to be not so much systematic as thought provoking, inviting the reader to (re)think abstraction from different - and perhaps unusual - perspectives. After presenting a range of its characterisations, we will explore abstraction from a cognitive point of view. Then we will discuss the role of abstraction in a range of computer science areas, including whether and how abstraction is taught. Although it is impossible to capture the essence of abstraction in one sentence, one section or a single paper, we hope our insights into abstraction may help computer science educators to better understand, model and even dare to teach abstraction skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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