Vol. 8 No. 2 (2026): Edisi Juni
Open Access
Peer Reviewed

Implementasi Computational Thinking dalam Pembelajaran Sekolah Dasar: Sebuah Systematic Literature Review terhadap Penelitian Tahun 2021-2026

Authors

M. Gunawan Supiarmo , Gilang Primajati

DOI:

10.29303/jm.v8i2.12649

Published:

2026-06-30

Downloads

Abstract

Computational Thinking (CT) is a crucial 21st-century competency that should be cultivated starting at the primary school level. This study aims to analyze research trends, implementation, and the impact of CT in primary school education during the 2021–2026 period. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology was employed. Scholarly articles were sourced from Scopus, ERIC, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, SINTA, Garuda, and Google Scholar, and subsequently analyzed using a descriptive-qualitative approach. The findings indicate a rise in CT research, accompanied by increasingly diverse implementation methods-such as Scratch, robotics, STEM, Project-Based Learning, educational games, Artificial Intelligence, and unplugged activities. CT implementation has been shown to enhance algorithmic thinking, decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, problem-solving, creativity, and student learning motivation. However, implementation still faces challenges regarding teacher competence, curriculum integration, and the development of appropriate assessments. Consequently, there is a need to strengthen teacher capacity, develop an integrated curriculum, and conduct further research to optimize CT implementation at the primary school level.

Keywords:

Computational Thinking Primary School Learning Systematic Literature Review

References

Aksoy, B. D., Mumcu, F. K., & Günhan, B. C. (2026). Unveiling the nexus: Computational thinking and mathematical modelling in K-12 education- a teacher-centric exploration. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 60, 102049. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2025.102049

Brooks, E., Kaup, C. F., Dau, S., Emma, E., Francesca, G., & Lie, R. E. K. (2025). Computational Play in Early Childhood: Integrating Analog and Digital Tools to Support Mathematical Learning and Computational Thinking. Education Sciences, 15(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15121601

Büscher, C. (2025). Differences in Students’ Computational Thinking Activities when Designing an Algorithm for Drawing Plane Figures. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 23(2), 365–386. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-024-10465-3

Cantlon, J. F., Becker, K. T., & DeLong, C. M. (2024). Computational Thinking During a Short, Authentic, Interdisciplinary STEM Experience for Elementary Students. Journal for STEM Education Research, 7(3), 425–443. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41979-024-00117-0

Chen, C.-P. (2021). Processing Analysis of Swift Playgrounds in a Children’s Computational Thinking Course to Learn Programming. Computers, 10(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/computers10050068

Chen, L.-X., Su, S.-W., Liao, C.-H., Yan, J.-Y., & Yuan, S.-M. (2026). The impact of computational thinking teaching aids on secondary students: A digital game application. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 62, 102222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2026.102222

Chevalier, M., Giang, C., El-Hamamsy, L., Bonnet, E., Papaspyros, V., Pellet, J.-P., Audrin, C., Romero, M., Baumberger, B., & Mondada, F. (2022). The role of feedback and guidance as intervention methods to foster computational thinking in educational robotics learning activities for primary school. Computers & Education, 180, 104431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104431

Clarke-Midura, J., Lee, V. R., Shumway, J. F., Silvis, D., Kozlowski, J. S., & Peterson, R. (2023). Designing formative assessments of early childhood computational thinking. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 65, 68–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2023.05.013

Dahshan, M., & Galanti, T. (2024). Teachers in the Loop: Integrating Computational Thinking and Mathematics to Build Early Place Value Understanding. Education Sciences, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14020201

Dominguez, X., Danae, K., Tiffany, L., Shuchi, G., & Vahey, P. (2025). Preschool Problem Solvers: Developing Assessment Tasks to Measure Young Children’s Learning of Computational Thinking Skills and Practices. Education Sciences, 15(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15101360

Fanchamps, N., Gool, E. V., Folkertsma, A., & Meyst, K. D. (2024). The Influence of Music Producing and Creativity on Computational Thinking in Primary School Children. Education Sciences, 14(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14121380

Gardeli, A., & Vosinakis, S. (2025). Fostering computational thinking in young students through student generated challenges in tangible mobile augmented reality games. Discover Education, 4(1), 529. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00899-4

Giannakoulas, A., & Xinogalos, S. (2024). Studying the effects of educational games on cultivating computational thinking skills to primary school students: A systematic literature review. Journal of Computers in Education, 11(4), 1283–1325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-023-00300-z

Grover, S., & Pea, R. (2013). Computational Thinking in K–12: A Review of the State of the Field. Educational Researcher, 42(1), 38–43. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X12463051

Holstein, S., & Cohen, A. (2025). Scratch teachers’ perceptions of teaching computational thinking with school subjects in a constructionist approach. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 56, 101772. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2025.101772

Hsu, T.-C., Abelson, H., Lao, N., Tseng, Y.-H., & Lin, Y.-T. (2021). Behavioral-pattern exploration and development of an instructional tool for young children to learn AI. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 2, 100012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2021.100012

Ioannis, V. (2026). Understanding Developmental Trajectories of Computational Thinking Concepts in Primary School: An Empirical Study of Sequences, Loops, and Conditionals. Education Sciences, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16040604

Jeong, H. (2025). Supporting interest development in gifted software education through computational thinking and project-based learning. Computers and Education Open, 9, 100282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2025.100282

Kanaki, K., & Kalogiannakis, M. (2022). Assessing Algorithmic Thinking Skills in Relation to Age in Early Childhood STEM Education. Education Sciences, 12(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12060380

Kopcha, T. J., & Ocak, C. (2023). Children’s computational thinking as the development of a possibility space. Computers and Education Open, 5, 100156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2023.100156

Luo, Q., & Zhang, S. (2026). The Role of Multidimensional Spatial Abilities in Computational Thinking of Young Children. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 35(3), 523–535. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-025-01048-z

Machuqueiro, F., & Piedade, J. (2024). Game On: A Journey into Computational Thinking with Modern Board Games in Portuguese Primary Education. Education Sciences, 14(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14111182

Mannila, L., Leinonen, T., Bauters, M., & Veermans, M. (2023). Student and teacher co-agency when combining CT with arts and design in a cross-curricular project. Computers and Education Open, 4, 100132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2023.100132

Master, A., Tang, D., Forsythe, D., Alexander, T. M., Cheryan, S., & Meltzoff, A. N. (2023). Gender equity and motivational readiness for computational thinking in early childhood. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 64, 242–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2023.03.004

Moon, W., & Kim, J. (2021). Effect Of Execution Time Analysis Epl Program For Computational Thinking Of Elementary School Students. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education, 12(4), 336–345.

Ow-Yeong, Y. K., Yeter, I. H., & Ali, F. (2023). Learning data science in elementary school mathematics: A comparative curriculum analysis. International Journal of STEM Education, 10(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-023-00397-9

Reinhold, F., Sprenger, P., & Staniczek, G. (2025). Introducing computational thinking to second and third graders. Programming whole paths outperforms step-by-step navigation in maze tasks. Computers and Education Open, 8, 100260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2025.100260

Robledo-Castro, C., Castillo-Ossa, L. F., & Hederich-Martínez, C. (2025). Computational thinking training and its effects on working memory, flexibility, and inhibition: Randomized controlled trial in fifth-grade children. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 100, 101850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2025.101850

Shamir, G., & Levin, I. (2026). Cultivating machine learning-related computational thinking in elementary school. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 61, 102177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2026.102177

Wilkie, K. J., & Hopkins, S. (2024). Primary students’ relational thinking and computation strategies with concrete-to-symbolic representations of subtraction as difference. The Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 73, 101121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmathb.2023.101121

Wing, J. M. (2008). Computational thinking and thinking about computing. Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences, 366(1881), 3717–3725. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2008.0118

Yang, W. (2025). A three-phase professional development approach to improving robotics pedagogical knowledge and computational thinking attitude of early childhood teachers. Computers & Education, 231, 105282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2025.105282

Yanti, Y., Kalifah, D. R. N., & Hidayah, N. (2024). Implementing Computational Thinking Skills in Socio Scientific Issue (SSI) of Force Material Around Us at Elementary School. E3S Web of Conferences, 482. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202448204001

Yaxin, X. G., Cady, A. G., & Christine, W. X. (2025). Playful Computational Thinking Learning in and Beyond Early Childhood Classrooms: Insights from Collaborative Action Research of Two Teacher-Researchers. Education Sciences, 15(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15070840

Author Biographies

M. Gunawan Supiarmo, Universitas Mataram

Author Origin : Indonesia

Gilang Primajati, Universitas Mataram

Author Origin : Indonesia

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

How to Cite

Supiarmo, M. G., & Primajati, G. (2026). Implementasi Computational Thinking dalam Pembelajaran Sekolah Dasar: Sebuah Systematic Literature Review terhadap Penelitian Tahun 2021-2026. Mandalika Mathematics and Educations Journal, 8(2), 1644–1660. https://doi.org/10.29303/jm.v8i2.12649

Most read articles by the same author(s)

> >> 

Similar Articles

> >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.