Kaushalya AI: Understanding Computational Skills Progression and Overlap with Other Foundational Skills in Schooling
摘要
Computational thinking (CT) is an essential skill for many tasks. It helps develop problem-solving skills and come up with optimal solutions to any category of problems. Bebras challenge is one such initiative that tests computational thinking skills among students of various age groups. In this paper, Kaushalya (Kaushalya is a word for skill in Indian Languages.) AI, we first present a curated set of seven computational skills essential for computational thinking. Second, we use large language models (LLMs) to rate the representation of these computational skills for the tasks in the Bebras challenges. Third, we use LLMs to come up with foundational skills, namely linguistic skills, mathematical skills and computational skills prerequisites to identify age appropriateness of the given task. We observe that the Bebras challenge adequately addresses most computational skills. We observed that the Data Representation skill scored low medium and was tested relatively less, Algorithmic thinking and Simplifying Complexity scored medium-high, while Puzzle Solving, Logical Reasoning and Pattern Recognition scored high-very high making them the most tested skills in the challenge. In addition, the tasks were more aligned to identify advanced learners in an age group. The linguistic and mathematical skills prerequisites to solve a certain task were found to be acquired at a slightly higher age. In conclusion, we suggest the adoption of such puzzle solving activities as part of the curriculum in schools, to enhance computational thinking among students and embed them in subjects like English, Mathematics, and other relevant subjects after the prerequisites are attained.