Micro:bit vs. Python: Students’ Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Computing

There has been a growing interest in teaching computer science (CS) concepts to students at a younger age. Increasingly, block-based programming has been used in place of traditional text-based programming languages, like Python, in K-12 education. However, little empirical research has been conducted to compare the combination of the former and physical computing with the latter. This study aimed to address this gap by comparing the attitudes and perceptions of elementary school students in the two approaches in a six-week afterschool program. The findings from the experiment indicated that students’ attitudes and perceptions toward computing were more positive when using physical computing. These findings suggest potential pedagogical implications and future research directions.