Integrating Computer Science and Informatics Education in Primary Schools: Insights from a Slovenian Professional Development Initiative

Andrej Flogie, Alenka Lipovec and Jakob Škrobar ()
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Andrej Flogie: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Alenka Lipovec: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Jakob Škrobar: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-25

Abstract: In this study, we present a professional development programme for teachers launched to introduce Computer Science and Informatics (CSI) in primary education in Slovenia. The study aims to examine which CSI core concepts teachers most frequently choose to integrate into their lessons when given the freedom to select the topics within the framework, and to explore how students engage with and respond to these activities, as reported in teachers’ reflections. This study is based on reflective feedback from forty-seven teachers from seven primary schools who implemented interdisciplinary lessons that integrate CSI content into existing primary school curricula. Qualitative data from 152 reflections were used to support our research findings. The results show that teachers most frequently introduced the concepts from the content area of algorithms and programming. In contrast, content areas such as computing systems , networks and the internet , data and analysis , and impacts of computing received less attention. Teachers reported that students were motivated and engaged, although some challenges emerged, including difficulties in solving tasks or following instructions. As this pilot study reports on the first year of a two-year initiative, the findings provide preliminary insights into how a structured professional development programme for teachers can support interdisciplinary approaches in CSI education.

Keywords: computer science education; computational thinking; STEM; professional development; engagement; motivation; primary school (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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