Inquiry & authority: Method for organizing textbooks to support the introductory computer science course for middle school students

Abstract

Textbooks and learning materials used in the course of instruction and learning exert a significant impact on students’ motivation for and satisfaction with learning. For the process of learning about concepts and principles of subjects such as computer science that elementarylevel learners find difficult, it is necessary to compose textbooks and learning materials with consideration given to the learners. In particular, it can be difficult for students in their early school years to continue learning if they lose interest during the introductory process. Therefore, this study analyzed how textbooks must be composed to keep up interest in learning targeting middle school students, and also how textbook composition is relevant to learning materials. According to the analysis, first, the level of satisfaction with the inquiry text, which emphasizes activities in instruction, learning and contents, was higher. Second, knowledge and thought processes were closely related with the level of satisfaction with instruction and learning. This study provides implications as to what kind of text organization can raise the interest of middle school students for computer science education and support teachers with their instruction methods. In addition, this study provides suggestions for effective introduction of learning materials in addition to textbook composition. © Research India Publications.