Computer Programming and Auxiliary Learning Processes: Hackers School Case

Abstract

In a world profoundly transformed by computer technology and connection, software assumes strategic role of human and social development. In this sense, the perception that it is fundamental for the contemporary citizen to develop software development skills gains strength and begins to popularize initiatives that go in this direction. This study aims, from theoretical and pedagogical contributions and field research, to analyze how computer programming, School Hackers Project’s focus, influences the auxiliary processes of learning exposed by Juan Ignacio Pozo in his Apprentices and Masters literary work: the new culture of learning. Hackers School Project, in activity since 2014, attends elementary school students of municipal schools in Passo Fundo/RS, Brazilian medium size city. It consists of a set of actions that facilitate the learning of techniques and programming skills to elementary students through Scratch software, developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This article is the result of the monitoring of project activities in one of the schools participating in the project during the year 2014. After analyzing the data collected, it was possible to verify that the factor of the greatest influence in the learning of the programming for the study group was the motivation.