Empowering Early Education With Computational Thinking, AI, and STEM

Empowering early education with computational thinking, artificial intelligence (AI), and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is transforming the way students engage with the learning process. As the educational field develops, the integration of these fields in early childhood curricula enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills while fostering creativity and collaboration among students. By introducing foundational concepts of computational thinking and AI at a young age, educators can cultivate a generation of innovators who are equipped to navigate complex challenges and contribute to society. Further research into effective integration may prepare children for future academic pursuits while instilling a personal interest in learning, ensuring students can thrive in a technological world. Empowering Early Education With Computational Thinking, AI, and STEM explores the integration of computational thinking, AI, and STEM into early education environments. It provides comprehensive guidance on effectively introducing computational thinking, coding skills, and STEM concepts to young learners, offering practical strategies and resources for educators. This book covers topics such as curriculum development, educational technologies, and gamification, and is a useful resource for educators, teachers, administrators, scientists, computer engineers, academicians, and researchers.

Michail Kalogiannakis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Thessaly and Associate Tutor at School of Humanities at the Hellenic Open University in Greece. He graduated from the Physics Department of the University of Crete and continued his postgraduate studies at the University Paris 7-Denis Diderot (D.E.A. in Didactic of Physics), University Paris 5-René Descartes-Sorbonne (D.E.A. in Science Education) and received his PhD degree at the University Paris 5-René Descartes-Sorbonne (PhD in Science Education). His research interests include science education in the early childhood, science teaching and learning, e-learning, the use of ICT in education, distant and adult education. He has published many articles in international conferences and journals and has served on the program committees of numerous international conferences. Stamatios Papadakis is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Preschool Education, University of Crete, Greece. His expertise lies in Educational Technology with a specific focus on mobile learning. Engaged in numerous international and national projects concerning computational thinking and pedagogy across Pre-K to 16 Education, he is dedicated to advancing the field. His research primarily explores mobile learning, particularly leveraging smart mobile devices and associated applications in Preschool and Primary Education. He aims to foster Computational Thinking and enhance students' numerical comprehension. Additionally, his current research delves into the impact of a STEM learning approach facilitated by context-aware mobile learning environments in preschool classrooms, elucidating its effects on learning outcomes among preschoolers.