Using ChatGPT for the Acquisition of Computational Thinking Skills: A Case of African Indigenous Games

Authors

Dick Ng’ambi, University of Cape TownFollow
Mohamed A. Mitwally, University of South AfricaFollow
Mwewa Peter, Copperbelt UniversityFollow
Oluwaseun Oyekola, Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyFollow

Abstract

This paper proposes using a ChatGPT-generated algorithm for an indigenous game to mediate the acquisition of computational thinking skills. The paper seeks to answer the question: How can the ChatGPT-mediated algorithm for indigenous games foster the acquisition of computational thinking skills? Using a Participatory Action Research approach, 19 collaborators from 11 African countries gathered 185 indigenous games. The paper focuses on one of those games that is played in all 11 countries. The paper concludes that involving collaborators, who are indigenous members of their communities and have experiential knowledge of the game, led to their acquisition of computational thinking skills.