CULTURALLY RELEVANT COMPUTING TASKS: EVIDENCE OF SYNERGIES BETWEEN STUDENTS' MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING.

In this study, we explore the synergies between students' mathematical and computational thinking as they engage in an open-ended computing "Quilts" project. The activity aims to create a culturally relevant learning environment in which students have opportunities to code personalized quilts that demonstrate their culture and values. An open-coding process was used to analyze team projects. The results of the study suggested that the computational medium gave students flexibility to devise multiple design plans using the power of mathematics and opportunities to test their chosen approaches. Some of the plans included defining functions, using geometric transformations and estimating coordinates. The code provided insights into the students' familiarity with mathematical concepts, level of abstraction and precision in their calculations. Each team created unique quilts that demonstrate multiple values such as freedom, equity and personal life experiences such as music, family, and homeland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]