Students' Proficiency in Computational Thinking Through Constructivist Learning Theory

This study aims to analyse the mathematical computational thinking ability of Mathematics Education study program students in terms of constructivism learning theory. The main focus of this research is to understand how the constructivist learning approach affects the development of students' mathematical computational thinking ability. This research is qualitative descriptive research. It explores students' learning process in the context of developing computational understanding and application of computational concepts in mathematics education. This research was conducted in the Department of Mathematics Education on students who took the Algebraic Structure course in the 2023/2024 academic year. The subjects of this research amounted to 34 students. The findings of this study provide insight into the effectiveness of constructivism learning theory in improving the mathematical computational thinking skills of Mathematics Education students. The results showed that students' average mathematical computational thinking ability was good, and descriptively, the prior mathematical knowledge could also differentiate students' mathematical computational thinking ability in terms of constructivism learning theory.


Introduction
In an era where information and communication technologies increasingly dominate everyday life, using computing in mathematics education is becoming increasingly important.Technological developments have changed how we interact with mathematics, and mathematics education must adapt to this challenge.Amidst these developments, the importance of computational thinking skills must be addressed (Ye et al., 2023;Barr & Stephenson, 2011;Voogt et al., 2015).
International Journal of Mathematics and Mathematics Education Computational thinking skills involve understanding basic computing concepts, including problemsolving, algorithms, programming, and data.These essential skills can help students solve mathematical problems effectively, understand real-world applications of mathematics, and prepare for an increasingly technology-dependent future (Grover & Pea, 2013;Kale et al., 2018).
Mathematics Education is essential in developing students' computational thinking skills, especially Mathematics Education students.They are expected to be agents of change in teaching mathematics by integrating technology and computation.Therefore, it is essential to understand the extent to which Mathematics Education students have developed computational thinking skills.
Learning approaches based on constructivism learning theory strongly relate to developing computational thinking skills.Constructivism emphasises student-centred learning, where students build their understanding through active experience and reflection.In this context, research on the computational thinking skills of Mathematics Education students with a constructivist perspective is critical (Suprapti, 2018;Saputro & Pakpahan, 2021;Sari & Kurniawan, 2023).
The critical role of Mathematics Education students in developing computational thinking skills is very significant, and understanding computational concepts in the context of mathematics education is essential.Mathematics Education students are expected to be agents of change in technology and computing in mathematics learning in schools.They should be able to integrate computational tools, such as math software and programming, into the mathematics learning process to facilitate students' understanding of concepts and the development of computational thinking skills (Brown & Capper, 2019;Selden et al., 2014).
Mathematics Education students will often become mathematics teachers in schools.Therefore, they should be able to guide students in developing deep mathematical understanding and computational thinking skills.These students will play an essential role in helping students overcome difficulties in understanding mathematical concepts through computational approaches.Mathematics Education students can play a role in developing computational-based learning materials, such as interactive math games, simulations, or math applications.This can help students internalise mathematical concepts more interestingly and effectively.
Computational thinking skills help students in developing creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Mathematics Education students should understand how computation can be used to formulate and solve mathematical problems.They can encourage students to think computationally and seek innovative solutions.Computational thinking skills are relevant not only for students but also for teachers.Mathematics Education students will continue to learn and develop in their profession.
Therefore, computational understanding can help them continue to learn and utilise technology in mathematics teaching (Lee & Yadav, 2016;Ye et al., 2023).
Constructivism Learning Theory is a framework in education that emphasises the active role of students Angraini, Kania, & Gürbüz. (2024) 47 in constructing their knowledge through experience, reflection and interaction with learning materials.This theory highlights student-centered learning and an emphasis on deep understanding.
Constructivism emphasises that learning should not just be the delivery of information from lecturer to student but involve students actively.This means that lecturers act as facilitators, assisting students in understanding mathematical concepts by supporting exploration and problem-solving (Baran & Maskan, 2021;Yılmaz, 2017).
Constructivism theory says students construct their knowledge by formulating meaning from learning experiences.They create mental representations and concepts based on their interaction with learning materials (Duffy & Jonassen, 2013;Akkoç & Ocak, 2019).In this context, students who understand computing concepts can develop their understanding through active exploration.This theory emphasises the importance of collaboration and social interaction.Students learn by discussing, sharing and collaborating with fellow students.In the context of computational understanding, students can discuss and work together to solve computational problems.
Constructivism theory encourages the development of critical thinking skills.Students are encouraged to question, analyse and formulate their understanding.Students should think critically about algorithms, logic, and problem-solving in terms of computational understanding.This theory emphasises the importance of contextualising learning.Students should be able to see the relevance and applicability of mathematical concepts in real-world situations.In computational understanding, contextualisation helps students connect computational concepts with everyday applications.
The constructivist approach is very relevant in developing computational thinking skills.
Constructivism requires students to be active in their learning.In understanding computational concepts, students need to explore, try, and face computational problems.This approach allows students to actively design algorithms, run code, and face programming challenges.Constructivism theory encourages students to collaborate and discuss.In the context of computational understanding, students can work together to solve problems and share knowledge.Exchanging ideas and solutions can enrich their understanding (Grover & Pea, 2013;Liu et al., 2021).
Constructivism encourages the development of critical thinking skills.Students must think logically, analyse problems, and formulate effective solutions to understand computing.The constructivism approach helps students understand the logic and algorithms underlying computing.This theory encourages deep understanding rather than mere memorisation.To understand computing, students need to understand the basic principles and concepts of computing.Constructivism allows students to formulate solid knowledge through exploration and practice.Constructivism emphasises contextualising learning in real situations.In computational understanding, students can relate computational concepts to real-world applications, such as application development, problem-solving, and data analysis (Kale et al., 2018;Yılmaz, 2017).
Algebraic structures courses are part of the mathematics education curriculum that cover higher topics International Journal of Mathematics and Mathematics Education in abstract algebra.It may include group theory, rings, fields, and other complex algebraic topics.
Constructivism learning theory is a theoretical approach emphasising that students construct knowledge through personal experiences.It creates a close relationship between the learning process and students' formation of meaningful knowledge.
This study aims to investigate the computational thinking ability of Mathematics Education students by focusing on the framework of constructivism learning theory.This research seeks to understand how constructivism learning theory can develop students' computational thinking ability and how studentcentred learning processes and knowledge construction can influence the understanding of computational concepts.

Method
This research is a qualitative descriptive research.This study describes mathematics education students' mathematical computational thinking ability based on constructivist learning theory.The sample of this study amounted to 34 people who were taken purposively.The sample is selected purposively, and the researcher wants to obtain more in-depth information about the students' mathematical computational thinking ability to develop subsequent research.This research was conducted at the Mathematics Education Study Program at Universitas Islam Riau, Pekanbaru, in the 2023/2024 academic year.There were 34 5th-semester students who took the Algebraic Structure course, and all were taken as samples for this study.Students were divided into 3 initial mathematical ability categories: low, medium and high.The value of students' initial mathematical ability is taken from the previous quiz score.
The mathematical computational thinking ability referred to in this study is, according to (Angeli et al., 2016;Csizmadia et al., 2015;Lee et al., 2022), computational thinking is a thought process that involves elements such as abstraction, generalisation, decomposition, algorithmic thinking, and debugging.
According to Maharani et al. (2019), solving a problem through computational thinking can be seen from the following indicators: (1) Abstraction: Students can decide on an object to use or reject, which can be interpreted as separating important information from information that is not used; (2) Generalization: the ability to formulate solutions into a general form so that they can be applied to different problems, can be interpreted as the use of variables in solving solutions; (3) Decomposition: the ability to break down complex problems into simpler ones that are easier to understand and solve; (4) Algorithmic: the ability to design step by step an operation/action how the problem is solved; (5) Debugging: the ability to identify, discard, and correct errors.
The operational steps of implementing constructivism learning theory in research on the computational thinking ability of mathematics education students in the Algebraic Structure course can cover various aspects involving interactions between students, lecturers and subject matter.Here are some operational steps that can be applied (Cobb, 2014;Duffy & Jonassen, 2013;Josi & Patankar, 2016;Piaget, 1976;Vygotsky, 1978): 1) learning materials designed to encourage knowledge construction; 2) Students can be encouraged to work together, discuss, and solve problems together with lecturer guidance; 3) Use open-ended questions and open-ended problems to stimulate critical thinking and drive understanding of mathematical and computational concepts; 4) Provide constructive feedback to students on their performance and how to improve their computational thinking skills.
The stages of learning in constructivism learning theory in this study are (Suprapti, 2018 They seek to transfer their understanding to other contexts; (6) Students evaluate their understanding and performance in mastering the concepts or skills learned.They provide feedback to themselves or others.Furthermore, one example of a test instrument on computational thinking skills used in this study is as follows: 1) Show that G= {0,1}, (G, x) is not a group.

Results
This study aims to examine mathematics education students' mathematical computational thinking ability in the algebraic structure course, which is associated with constructivism learning theory.To see students' mathematical computational thinking ability on the material, a test related to mathematical computational thinking ability was given, the results of which are as follows: Based on the data in Table 2, the average mathematical computational thinking ability of students with high prior mathematical knowledge is much better than that of students with medium and even low prior mathematical knowledge.This shows that descriptively, PMK can also differentiate students' mathematical computational thinking.The students with a high level of ability in mathematical computational thinking, with an average score of about 93.09, showed a strong understanding of mathematical computational aspects.They have background knowledge and skills that support computational thinking.The group of students with moderate ability had an average of about 79.67.
They have a good understanding of mathematical computing, but there is potential for further improvement and development.The low-ability group of students, with an average of around 69, showed a lower understanding of mathematical computation.This indicates a lack of knowledge or skills required in this context.
During the learning process in the Algebraic Structure course, lecturers conduct learning that emphasises Constructivism learning theory.Computational thinking is powerfully relevant to constructivist learning theory in education.Constructivism learning theory emphasises that students receive and actively construct knowledge through experience, reflection, and interaction.Here are some points of the relevance of computational thinking to constructivism learning theory (Vygotsky, 1978;Piaget, 1976;Krahenbuhl, 2016;Paradesa, 2015): ( 1 Constructivism learning theory, first developed by Jean Piaget and later expanded by figures such as Lev Vygotsky, emphasises that learning is an active process in which individuals construct knowledge through experience and interaction with the environment.Individuals build understanding through reflection and the construction of knowledge centred on personal experience.The constructivist approach to mathematics learning emphasises the importance of deep understanding rather than factual memorisation.It recognises the critical role of practical experience, reasoning and collaboration in understanding mathematical concepts.Students are encouraged to construct their mathematical knowledge with the help of lecturers, peers and learning resources (Vygotsky, 1978;Piaget, 1976;Krahenbuhl, 2016;Cobb, 2014;Duffy & Jonassen, 2013;Josi & Patankar, 2016).
Computational thinking is a cognitive ability concerned with solving problems and designing solutions using concepts and techniques commonly associated with computing.It includes understanding the concept of algorithms, problem decomposition (breaking a problem into smaller parts), patterns, and abstraction (taking the core or essence of a problem).Computational thinking refers to a person's ability to think systematically, logically, and efficiently in solving problems, which can be applied in various contexts, including in programming, data science, and so on (Su & Yang, 2023;Ersozlu et al., 2023;Misirli & Komis, 2023).The following is the achievement of mathematical computational thinking ability in the Algebraic Structure course: when executing computational algorithms and processes.Good computational thinking skills also reflect a strong understanding of the mathematical concepts underlying the computational method.The student can tackle complex mathematical or computational problems and solve them with strong thinking skills.Good test results may indicate that the student can execute computational processes quickly and efficiently.

Discussion
Differences in mathematical computational thinking ability between high, medium, and low-ability student groups can be influenced by several factors (Anistyasari et al., 2023;Saputro & Pakpahan, 2021;Sari & Kurniawan, 2022), including (1) Students with an educational background or prior knowledge in mathematical computing have an advantage.They have studied or have previous experience relevant to this topic; (2) Motivational factors in learning can affect computational thinking ability.Students who are highly motivated to understand this topic may be more likely to develop robust computational thinking skills; (3) Teaching methods and learning strategies used by lecturers or educational institutions can also play a role.A more interactive and practical approach to teaching mathematical computing might contribute to the development of better computational thinking skills; (4) Students who have access to relevant resources and tools for mathematical computing, such as software or libraries that support this topic, might be more likely to develop robust computational thinking skills; (5) Students' intrinsic ability to think abstractly, recognise patterns, and perform mathematical problem solving also plays a vital role in computational thinking skills; 6) The quality of instruction provided by lecturers or instructors can have a significant impact on students' understanding and development of computational thinking skills; (7) Collaboration and interaction between students in groups can influence the development of computational thinking skills.Learning through collaboration with peers with a high level of understanding might improve understanding; (8) Students' ability to organise and control their thought processes, known as metacognitive ability, is also essential in developing computational thinking skills.
Differences in computational thinking ability can be viewed from the constructivist learning theory, which emphasises that knowledge results from construction or formation.The following are some of the causes of differences in computational thinking ability in terms of constructivism learning theory (Sari & Kurniawan, 2023;Oktavianti, 2021;Umbara, 2017): (1) Constructivism theory emphasises that students must discover new things and develop understanding actively.In computational learning, students should be allowed to find new ways of solving problems and develop their computational skills; (2) Constructivism theory emphasises collaboration and active learning to improve computational thinking ability.In computational learning, students can work together to develop solutions and manage the problems faced; (3) Constructivism theory emphasises the process of discovery and social interaction to improve computational thinking ability.In computational learning, students can interact socially to develop ideas and solutions, which can be implemented in computational projects; (4) Opportunities for learners to interpret information.Constructivism theory emphasises that students can analyse data in their minds only in the context of their own experience and knowledge, needs, background and interests.In the context of computing learning, students should be given opportunities to interpret information and apply critical thinking.Students should be actively involved in learning and construct their own understanding through interaction with prior knowledge.By applying these strategies, learning computational thinking can be more effective and efficient in developing students' computational thinking skills.In addition, students will also be more skilful in critical thinking and problem-solving and able to teach computational thinking.

Conclusion
Based on the data processing results, it is obtained that the average mathematical computational thinking ability of students as a whole is good, and descriptively, the prior mathematical knowledge can also distinguish students' mathematical computational thinking.The group of students with a high level of mathematical computational thinking ability shows that they have a strong understanding of aspects of mathematical computing and background knowledge and skills that support computational thinking ability.The group of students with medium ability have a pretty good sense of mathematical computation, but there is potential for further improvement and development.The students in the lowability group showed a lower knowledge of mathematical calculation.

Recommendations
Constructivism learning theory teaches that students should be actively involved in learning and construct their understanding through interaction with prior knowledge.In learning computational thinking, strategies such as project-based learning approach, teaching computational thinking, using technology, providing feedback, encouraging students to think critically, using discussion methods, using adequate resources, developing appropriate curriculum, and involving students actively can apply constructivism learning theory.However, there are some challenges in applying constructivist learning theory in learning computational thinking, such as requiring longer time, trained teachers, adequate resources, proper curriculum development, and proper evaluation.
; Saputro & Pakpahan, 2021; Sari & Kurniawan, 2023): (1) Students connect with existing knowledge.They try to understand new concepts within their frame of reference; (2) Students actively seek information or experiences relevant to the concepts being studied.They conduct independent research, discussion, or exploration; (3) Students build their understanding through reflection, dialogue, or direct experience.They try to solve problems, connect information, and build new concepts; (4) Students critically reflect on their understanding.They dig deeper into concepts, refine existing understandings, or identify confusions; (5) Students apply the knowledge they construct in real situations or relevant problems.
) Constructivism learning theory emphasises student-centred learning, where students are actively involved in the learning process.Computational thinking allows students to actively engage in problem-solving, programming, and exploration of computational concepts, thus fitting this approach; (2) Constructivism theory states that students should construct their knowledge through reflection and understanding of concepts.Computational thinking involves knowledge construction where students create algorithms, programming, and problem-solving, all forms of knowledge construction; (3) Constructivism theory underlines the importance of students' active engagement in learning.Computational thinking encourages active engagement through programming, solution development, and technology exploration, supporting this theory; (4) Computational thinking provides students with practical experience.Constructivism learning theory emphasises the importance of hands-on experience in learning, and computational thinking provides practical problem-solving and programming experience.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Students' Mathematical Computational Thinking Ability Test Answers

Table 1 .
Description of Students' Mathematical Computational Thinking Ability The prior mathematical knowledge is taken from the previous quiz score.The following is a description of students' mathematical computational thinking ability based on PMK: Based on the data in Table1, it can be seen that, on average, students' mathematical computational thinking is already high; there are even students who reach a score of 100.Next, we will examine students' average mathematical computational thinking ability based on prior mathematical knowledge

Table 2 :
Average Mathematical Computational Thinking Ability of Students Based on PMK Lecturers should use discussion methods to help students build their own understanding of computing concepts; (7) Computing learning requires adequate resources, such as software and hardware, to help students understand computing concepts; (8) The computational learning curriculum should be well developed and in line with constructivism learning theory;(9) Constructivism learning theory can help improve computational thinking ability by emphasising learner-centred learning, encouraging collaboration and active learning, discovery and social interaction, discovering new things, and assisting learners in actively building understanding.In own understanding;(6)