The SEAMEO Regional Centre for QITEP in Mathematics (SEAQiM) held a highly successful Workshop on Unplugged Computational Thinking from 14 to 16 October 2024 at SEAQiM’s premises in Yogyakarta. The workshop, aimed at primary school teachers, introduced computational thinking (CT) through hands-on, screen-free activities, utilizing the Unplugged Computational Thinking Coloring Book in its newly released Bahasa Indonesia version.
Dr. Sumardyono, Director of SEAQiM, officially opened the event and brought together passionate educators from Pangandaran, Ogan Komering Ulu, and Yogyakarta. In his opening remarks, Dr. Sumardyono emphasized the importance of integrating computational thinking into early education, particularly in regions with limited access to technology. He also highlighted SEAQiM’s commitment to equipping teachers with innovative strategies to enhance their teaching practices.
A key highlight of the workshop was the participation of Dr. Roberto Araya, a renowned expert from the Universidad de Chile and the author of the “Unplugged Computational Thinking Coloring Book”. Dr. Araya shared his insights on the practical applications of unplugged computational thinking activities. He guided participants through the coloring book’s content, providing practical tools to introduce CT concepts in their classrooms.
Joining Dr Araya were SEAQiM’s esteemed academic team members, including Dr Sri Wulandari Danoebroto, Mr Bungkus Dias, and Ms Ummy Salmah, who facilitated the workshop sessions. Dr Sri Wulandari Danoebroto, Deputy Director for Programs at SEAQiM, played a pivotal role in guiding participants through the entire course, ensuring that the teachers understood the theory behind computational thinking and developed practical lesson plans ready for classroom implementation.
The workshop’s interactive format allowed participants to engage in peer teaching sessions, where they demonstrated the skills and techniques they had learned. These sessions were particularly well-received, with participants showing great enthusiasm and creativity in applying the new methods. The peer teaching exercises fostered collaboration and provided valuable opportunities for reflection and feedback, ensuring that participants left the workshop with concrete ideas for integrating CT into their teaching.
SEAQiM deeply appreciates all participants for their dedication and active involvement throughout the three-day event. The commitment and enthusiasm shown by educators from Pangandaran, Ogan Komering Ulu, and Yogyakarta were truly commendable.
The workshop marked an important step in SEAQiM’s ongoing efforts to promote the inclusion of computational thinking in primary education across the Southeast Asian region. As we look forward, SEAQiM is confident that the teachers who attended this workshop will play a critical role in shaping the future of STEM education in their respective regions.
SEAQiM extends its sincere gratitude to Dr Roberto Araya, Dr Sri Wulandari Danoebroto, Mr Bungkus Dias, Ms Ummy Salmah, and all facilitators for their invaluable contributions. We also thank the participants whose enthusiasm made the event a great success. We look forward to future collaborations that continue to strengthen education in the region.
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