Systematic Literature Review: The Impact of Coding Education on Computational Thinking Skills in Elementary School (2020-2025)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47709/educendikia.v6i01.8145Keywords:
Coding, Computational Thinking, Elementary SchoolAbstract
Early coding education has been implemented in various elementary schools to improve digital literacy with relevant 21st-century skills. The main focus of competencies to be developed through coding education is computational thinking. This study aims to explore the impact of coding education on improving the computational thinking skills of elementary school students over the past five years. This study applied the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, searching for articles using Publish or Perish (PoP) software with Crossref as the data source. Bibliometric analysis was performed using VOSviewer to map publication trends, authors, citations, article sources, and research theme clusters. From a total of 1,000 identified articles, relevant publications were selected through a screening process based on the PRISMA protocol, resulting in 235 articles for further review and deeper analysis of coding education research trends related to the development of computational thinking in elementary school contexts. Coding education has been shown to positively develop computational thinking skills among elementary school students, especially fifth graders, although teaching methods and implementation context influence its effectiveness. This study provides an overview of research on coding and computational thinking education during 2020–2025 and identifies research gaps for further exploration in subsequent studies.
References
Abdullah, K. H. (2022). Publication Trends in Biology Education: A Bibliometric Review of 63 Years. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 19(2), 465–480. https://doi.org/10.36681/tused.2022.131
Alindra, A. L., Nafira, A., Khaerunnisa, H., Ayu, P., Sari, K., Anggia, Y., & Nurhaliza, Y. (2024). Studi Kasus Pembelajaran Berbasis Koding Guna Memperkuat Kurikulum Merdeka di Era Digital. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 8(1), 3171–3183.
An, M. Y., & Shin, K. S. (2024). Effects of Teachers’ Media Utilization and Computational Thinking on Sustainable Development in Early Childhood Education. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135773
Arruda, H., Silva, E. R., Lessa, M., Proença, D., & Bartholo, R. (2022). VOSviewer and Bibliometrix. Journal of the Medical Library Association?: JMLA, 110(3), 392–395. https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2022.1434
Awaluddin, & Hadi, M. S. (2025). Integrasi Pembelajaran Coding dan Kecerdasan Buatan di Sekolah Dasar: Tantangan dan Peluang. Pendas?: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 10, 1081–1096.
Baghiro, R. N., Rahmawati, Y., & Sam, T. T. A. (2025). Coding Learning to Stimulate Early Childhood Computational Thinking. International Journal of Computational and Experimental Science and Engineering, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.22399/ijcesen.1824
Bell, T., & Henderson, T. (2022). Providing a CS Unplugged Experience at a Distance. ACM Inroads, 13(4). https://doi.org/10.1145/3571093
Cheng, P., Tang, H., Dong, Y., Liu, K., Jiang, P., & Liu, Y. (2021). Knowledge mapping of research on land use change and food security: A visual analysis using Citespace and VOSviewer. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(24). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413065
Da?, F., ?umuer, E., & Durdu, L. (2023). The effect of an unplugged coding course on primary school students’ improvement in their computational thinking skills. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 39(6), 1902–1918. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12850
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
Dede, E., & Ozdemir, E. (2022). Mapping and performance evaluation of mathematics education research in Turkey: A bibliometric analysis from 2005 to 2021. Journal of Pedagogical Research, 6(4), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPR.202216829
Dewi, P. S., Widodo, A., Rochintaniawati, D., & Prima, E. C. (2021). Web-Based Inquiry in Science Learning: Bibliometric Analysis. Indonesian Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 4(2), 191–203. https://doi.org/10.24042/ijsme.v4i2.9576
Febriantoro, F. S., Fatharani, A., Dewi, N. C., & Kurniati, L. (2025). Assessing the Efficacy of Coding with Scratch and AI Interaction Using ChatGPT on 5th Graders’ Math Performance and Computational Thinking. Reforma: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran, 15(1), 78–99. https://doi.org/10.30736/reforma.v15i1.1212
Gadde, N., Mohapatra, A., Mody, K., Manukonda, S., Vijay, N., & Idris, R. (2024). Enhancing computational thinking in children through logical puzzles: A machine learning approach for early coding education. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 24(1), 877–882. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.24.1.3024
Husaeni, D. F. Al, Nandiyanto, A. B. D., & Maryanti, R. (2022). Bibliometric Analysis of Educational Research in 2017 to 2021 using VOSviewer: Google Scholar indexed Research. Indonesian Journal of Teaching in Science, 3(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijotis.v3i1.43182
Isharyadi, R., & Juandi, D. (2023). A Systematics Literature Review of Computational Thinking in Mathematics Education: Benefits and Challenges. Formatif: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan MIPA, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.30998/formatif.v13i1.15922
Karyana, S., Sumarna, O., & Setiawan, A. (2024). Bibliometric Computational Mapping Analysis of Publications on Computational Thinking in Science Education using VOSviewer. Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology, 58(1), 124–138. https://doi.org/10.37934/araset.58.1.124138
Kasiono, B., Pradhana, G., Huda, N., Utami, S., & Haerussaleh, H. (2025). Unlocking Young Minds?: The Impact of Unplugged Coding on Elementary Students’ Computational Thinking. Jurnal Paedagogy, 12(3), 754. https://doi.org/10.33394/jp.v12i3.15650
Koray, A., & Bilgin, E. (2023). The Effect of Block Coding (Scratch) Activities Integrated into the 5E Learning Model in Science Teaching on Students’ Computational Thinking Skills and Programming Self-Efficacy. Science Insights Education Frontiers, 18(1), 2825–2845. https://doi.org/10.15354/sief.23.or410
Listyana, I. G. A. A. P., Suarjana, I. M., & Antara, P. A. (2024). Enhancing Learning Creativity and Computational Thinking through Coding-Based Flipbook Media in Elementary Education. Journal of Education Technology, 8(3), 534–542. https://doi.org/10.23887/jet.v1i1.9
Liu, Z. (2023). Integrating computational thinking into K-12 education: Bridging the gap between theories and practices. STEM Education Review, 1. https://doi.org/10.54844/stemer.2023.0467
Lo, C. K. (2020). Systematic Reviews on Flipped Learning in Various Education Contexts. In Systematic Reviews in Educational Research: Methodology, Perspectives and Application (pp. 129–143). Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-27602-7_8
Mardianto, N. F. D., & Yahfizham. (2024). Systematic Literature Review: Penerapan Berpikir Komputasi Dalam Pembelajaran Matematika. Journal of Student Research, 2(4), 41–55. https://doi.org/10.55606/jsr.v2i4.3082
Marhadi, A., Nabar, D., & Fitria, Y. (2023). Keterampilan Berpikir Komputasi Bagi Siswa: Tinjauan Pustaka. Jurnal Pendidikan Multidisipliner.
Martinez, R. A., Lavonem, J., & Ros, M. Z. (2020). Coding and educational robotics and their relationship with computational and creative thinking. A compressive review. RED: Revista de Educacion a Distancia, 62(1). https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.6018/red.413021
Mills, K. A., Cope, J., Scholes, L., & Rowe, L. (2025). Coding and Computational Thinking Across the Curriculum: A Review of Educational Outcomes. Review of Educational Research, 95(3), 581–618. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543241241327
Muhammad, U. A., Fuad, M., Ariyani, F., & Suyanto, E. (2022). Bibliometric analysis of local wisdom-based learning: Direction for future history education research. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 11(4), 2209–2222. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v11i4.23547
Mulyani, A., Hartono, H., & Subali, B. (2024). Literature Review: A Snapshot of Research on the Argumentation of Bibliometric Analysis in the Period 2015-2023. International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education, 12(2), 451–465. https://doi.org/10.23947/2334-8496-2024-12-2-451-465
Nordin, N. A. H. M. (2022). A Bibliometric Analysis of Computational Mapping on Publishing Teaching Science Engineering Using VOSviewer Application and Correlation. Indonesian Journal of Teaching in Science, 2(2), 127–138. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijotis.v2i2.47038
Papadakis, S. (2021). The Impact of Coding Apps to Support Young Children in Computational Thinking and Computational Fluency. A Literature Review. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 6). Frontiers Media S.A. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.657895
Papadakis, S. (2025). Computational Thinking Beyond Coding In Early Childhood Education: Reframing Cs Education for The Age Of AI. In Journal of Baltic Science Education (Vol. 24, Number 4, pp. 592–593). Scientia Socialis Ltd. https://doi.org/10.33225/jbse/25.24.592
Ramadhan, D. R. P., Rosyada, A. Q., Marliza, W., Kasatri, D. E. P., & Yuliana, I. (2020). Pengaruh Ekstrakulikuler Coding Pada Siswa Sekolah Dasar Guna Meningkatkan Computational Thingking Di Sekolah Al-Azhar Syifa Budi Solo. Buletin Literasi Budaya Sekolah, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.23917/blbs.v2i1.11616
Rati, N. W., & Esaputra, I. N. T. (2025). CodeSTEM: An Innovative Future Thinking-Based Coding Learning to Improve Students’ Computational Thinking Skills. International Journal of Elementary Education, 9(2), 198–205. https://doi.org/10.23887/ijee.v9i2.96261
Ryan, T. (2021). Coding for Critical Thinking: A Case Study in Embedding Complementary Skills in Legal Education. Legal Education Review, 31, 81–93.
Saptajiah, I., & Slameto. (2024). Improving of Creative Thinking Skill through Coding for all at Elementary Students. In JSRET (Journal of Scientific (Vol. 3, Number 2).
Sripan, T., & Manyam, K. (2025). Gamified Learning: Teaching Coding and Creative Thinking with Minecraft: Education Edition (M:EE) for Thai Students. Journal of Education and Learning, 14(4), 270. https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v14n4p270
Stewart, W., & Baek, K. (2023). Analyzing computational thinking studies in Scratch programming: A review of elementary education literature. International Journal of Computer Science Education in Schools, 6(1), 35–58. https://doi.org/10.21585/ijcses.v6i1.156
Suarsana, I. M., Herman, T., Nurlaelah, E., Irianto, & Pacis, E. R. (2024). Computational Thinking in Mathematics Education Across Five Nations. Indonesian Journal of Educational Research and Review, 7(1), 26–35. https://doi.org/10.23887/ijerr.v7i1.68202
Totan, H. N., & Korucu, A. T. (2023). The Effect of Block Based Coding Education on the Students’ Attitudes about the Secondary School Students’ Computational Learning Skills and Coding Learning: Blocky Sample. Participatory Educational Research, 10(1), 443–461. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.23.24.10.1
Ubaidillah, M., Marwoto, P., Wiyanto, W., & Subali, B. (2023). Problem Solving and Decision-Making Skills for ESD: A Bibliometric Analysis. International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education, 11(3), 401–415. https://doi.org/10.23947/2334-8496-2023-11-3-401-415
Ugur, N., & Çakiroglu, Ü. (2024). Implementing Reflective Thinking in Computer Science Unplugged to Enhance Computational Thinking. International Journal of Technology in Education and Science, 8(2), 196–218. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijtes.515
Valdes, G. P. P., Figueredo, B. O., & Sanchez, A. D. V. (2025). Integrating computational thinking in children aged 3 to 6: challenges and opportunities in early childhood education. Frontiers in Education, 10, 01–25. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1535135
Yilmaz, T., & ?zmirli, S. (2023). Effect of unplugged and plugged coding activities on secondary school students’ computational thinking skills. Journal of Educational Technology and Online Learning, 6(4), 1180–1193. https://doi.org/10.31681/jetol.1375335
Zeeshan, K., Hämäläinen, T., & Neittaanmäki, P. (2024). Computational Thinking and AI Coding for Kids to Develop Digital Literacy. International Journal of Education (IJE), 12(3), 55–74. https://doi.org/10.5121/ije2024.12305
Zeng, Y., Yang, W., & Bautista, A. (2023). Teaching programming and computational thinking in early childhood education: a case study of content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1252718
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Okta Suphia Mawaddah, Mintarsih Arbarini, Bambang Subali3, Arif Widiyatmoko
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
