Computational Thinking and Coding Skills in Schools (CoCoS)

The research group Computational Thinking and Coding Skills in Schools (CoCoS) has two bases. Partly computational thinking (CT) – a collection of methods for problem solving that means that a given problem and its possible solutions can be expressed in a way that a computer can also perform. Partly coding skills – to have the knowledge and the skills that allow you to program and implement computer programs. Moreover, since a couple of years we are also exploring how to introduce teachers and students to the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education and further develop the notion of AI literacy.

Our efforts include research activities, teaching and competence development courses related to CT, AI and coding skills in schools. Our conceptual lens can be characterized by the elaboration of a holistic view on computational thinking, considered as an approach to problem solving and posing using diverse programming tools. 

Currently, we are involved in several national and international research projects. We also give courses based on activities where we make use of both visual programming,  micro-controllers and text-based programming to develop different educational scenarios that introduce computational thinking, artificial intelligence and creative coding in a variety of subject matters and domains.

Our work is conducted in projects that are financed by a number of national and international funding agencies and organizations. We work in close in collaboration with the Swedish National Agency for Education (Skolverket) and with local and international edtech companies. During the past years we have collaborated with more than 600 Swedish teachers, through both on-site and on-line activities.