Visual Programming with Scratch: A Path to Strengthening Computational Thinking in Engineering Education

Abstract

In the context of higher education, computational thinking has been identified as a key skill for addressing complex problems across various disciplines. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing a training program in visual programming with Scratch as a means to strengthen computational thinking in mechanical and electrical engineering students. The study was conducted at two higher education institutions: the Instituto Tecnológico Bolivariano de Tecnología (ITB) and the Universidad Bolivariana del Ecuador (UBE), involving 240 students from the mechanical and electrical engineering programs. The training program was developed following the ADDIE instructional model. The evaluation was conducted through detailed rubrics and satisfaction surveys, using platforms such as Moodle for implementation. The main results showed that 85% of the students developed functional projects integrating advanced computational thinking concepts, while 92% completed all proposed activities. Interdisciplinary projects, covering areas such as economics and physics, highlighted the applicability of programming in real-world contexts, fostering knowledge transfer. Scratch proved to be an effective tool for teaching programming and computational thinking at advanced levels, promoting both technical and creative skills. The implemented pedagogical strategies increased student motivation and engagement. The results suggest that the course could be replicated in other educational institutions.