Journeying through Uncertain Times: Using Computational Thinking and Storytelling to Connect and Engage Library Users

Abstract

Computational thinking can be intimidating and thus cause librarians to feel uncertain about adopting computer literacies into their practice. However, librarians have traditionally found comfort in connecting with their users through storytelling. Storytelling and computational thinking are two seemingly unrelated concepts, but, in many ways, stories are formulaic and can be considered an algorithm. In fact, Joseph Campbell identified this concept as the Hero's Journey. In this poster, the authors explain the process and share examples from an online library program designed to teach youth computational thinking within the context of storytelling. Using a digital interactive whiteboard, participants virtually engaged with one another, creating a cohesive story using disconnected pieces, or blocks, similar to a block coding experience. Program attendees demonstrated an ability to create a story using decomposition, sequencing, conditional logic, pattern recognition, and algorithmic design, all key concepts of computational thinking. Additionally, program attendees engaged with multiple literacies, connected tradition with innovation, and inspired each other from afar. Keywords: computational thinking; storytelling; youth programming