Title: Constructivist research framework for integrating indigenous knowledge into computing education

Authors: Ebenezer Anohah; Jarkko Suhonen

Addresses: University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101, Joensuu, Finland ' University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101, Joensuu, Finland

Abstract: Some computing educators, especially in African context, have been interested in pedagogical strategies that cultural heritage can provide viable mental models to enhance teaching and learning in curriculum. Particularly, students from Africa have rich cultural heritage that provides new ways of conceptualising computing principles. It is essential that literature provides framework that explains pedagogical benefits of indigenous knowledge in computing education. We analysed scientific publications related to computing education by systematically reviewing the article from constructivist perspectives on students learning from cultural heritage. The study reveals that constructivist philosophical assumptions of multiple meanings to reality and subjectivity in knowledge construction are compatible with the main objective in ethnocomputing studies that seeks to contextualise computing principles in cultural heritages.

Keywords: ethnocomputing; RATI model; computational thinking; cultural context; constructivist paradigm; conceptualisation; constructivism; reconceptualisation; indigenous knowledge; computing education; cultural heritage; Africa.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLT.2016.081713

International Journal of Learning Technology, 2016 Vol.11 No.4, pp.323 - 339

Published online: 22 Jan 2017 *

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