 Cognitive computational thinking emphasizes students’ understanding of vital computational concepts, perspectives, and practices which will foster skill building and competency that will be useful later in life; this is on an individual level. Cognitive computational thinking involves problem-solving done by individual students. Instructional activities introduce computational concepts through loops, recursion, conditionals, data structures, and practices such as iteration, abstraction and automation, and responsible interactions. 

Cognitive Computational Thinking

Situated computational thinking places emphasis on constructionist and connected learning theories that place value on interests and community. Situated computational thinking focuses on developing computational fluency through designing and programming shared digital artifacts. Learning is facilitated within the design of digital applications with audiences in person or over social media. 

Situated Computational Thinking 

Critical computational thinking emphasizes thinking critically about the problems in the world and the forces that contribute to them. Critical computational thinking pushes students to create and disseminate digital projects that seek to expose injustices within the world. Activities that include this approach are interviewing residents and working with designers/programmers to visualize gentrification in neighborhoods. 

Critical computational thinking 

Each framework of computational thinking offers different but valuable skills; they serve their own purpose and offer something unique to CS education. More research has to be done on each frame of thinking to understand what to implement in CS education for K-12. It is important to note that all perspectives should be considered. 

Consensus about Computer Science Education in K-12 among researchers

They are cognitive computational thinking, situated computational thinking, and critical computational thinking.

State University of New York at Stony Brook

With advances in technology, the skill of computational thinking is being seen as increasingly useful. Promoters of CS education claim it places emphasis on skill and competence building, creative expression and participation, and social justice and ethics.

Computer Science Education In K-12

ICER '19: Proceedings of the 2019 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research. July 2019. Pages 101–109. https://doi.org/10.1145/3291279.3339400

From Theory Bias to Theory Dialogue: Embracing Cognitive, Situated, and Critical Framings of Computational Thinking in K-12 CS Education

Three Different Framings of Computational Thinking

Computational thinking is solving problems, designing systems, and understanding human behavior through fundamental computing concepts. It has been seen as a general-purpose skill that all students need to learn to gain competence. 

Computational Thinking

Nelson, G. L., &amp; Ko, A. J. (2018). On use of theory in Computing Education Research. Proceedings of the 2018 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research. https://doi.org/10.1145/3230977.3230992 

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