UNS — Between January and June 2021, Early Childhood Education Learning Innovation Research Group, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, studied the effectiveness of “ScratchJr” usage on 5-6 years old children problem-solving ability. ScratchJr is a visual programming or coding tool developed for children in kindergarten and grade two of elementary school.
These research group members are the Faculty Members of Early Childhood Education Program (PG-PAUD), FKIP UNS: Novita Eka Nurjanah, M.Pd., Ruli Hafidah, S.Pd., MA., Muhammad Munif Syamsuddin, S.Pd., MA., Nurul Kusuma Dewi, S.Pd., M.Pd., andVera Sholeha, S.Pd., M.Pd. This team received assistance from students and research assistants Novianti Puspitasari, Agnes Dhear Nur C, and Tri Utami Latifah.
To uns.ac.id, Novita Eka Nurjanah, M.Pd., as the Head of Researchers, stated that the observation was conducted on students in B2 class PAUD Terpadu Islam Diponegoro Surakarta during an online learning program amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Their observation shows that the use of ScratchJr is effective in improving 5-6 years old children’s ability to solve the problem. This finding was concluded from the assessment indicators: finding problems, finding ideas for a solution, evaluate the appropriate solution, and apply the generated solution. For example, when children perform simple coding by creating a greeting card, children find a challenge, generate ideas, select ideas, and then apply in the ScratchJr project.
The use of ScratchJr was integrated into the learning process. “The first meeting was Eid-themed. Children used the ScratchJr program to create electronic greeting cards,” Novita Eka Nurjanah explained on Saturday (10/7/2021). She added that the program improved student’s problem-solving skills by encouraging them to think, explore, and build knowledge through practice. The program also introduced the computation concept such as sorts, loops, events, and operators. The students were involved in a cognitive process related to the problem-solving process. ScratchJr offers diverse activities such as driving, competing, and sunsets, while teachers take a role to guide students in selecting background, characters, and programs to practice their simple coding.
Non-Optimal Stimulation
This research starts from the need for learning innovation amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The initial interview with early childhood school teachers in Solo City showed that the stimulation for student’s problem-solving skills was not optimal. The learning program through the online platform did not provide enough activities that stimulate problem-solving skills in children. Therefore, this study will provide literature on the application of the ScratchJr program on students’ problem-solving ability and the program’s development to improve students’ problem-solving skills and shape professional teachers.
The research assistants performed visitation to student’s houses, program introduction, guiding teachers, and observed in-class activities. Novianti, one of the research assistants, stated that she got new experience and is happy to share knowledge with the teachers and students in TK Islam Diponegoro Surakarta. Humas UNS
Reporter: Kaffa Hidayati
Editor: Dwi Hastuti