Future Lower Primary School Teachers Taking an Online Algorithmization and Programming Course and Self-Assessing their Performance

Abstract

Computational thinking, problem-solving and the ability to apply knowledge; these and a plethora of other skills are essential for success in both personal and professional life. In order to be able to develop those skills in their students, the teachers themselves need to possess them. This paper focuses on female future lower primary school teachers who, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, took an online course on algorithmization and programming, having little or no prior knowledge and skills. The completion rate depended not only on the students' motivation and willingness to learn, but mainly on the content and structure of the course, which was completely modified and made into an online course. The results were more than surprising. The students were able to complete the activities included in the course. Moreover, those activities inspired them to create their own activities, which they may be able to use in their future classes.