Glossary of educational coding

Computational thinking is a mental process that lets us tackle and solve complex problems by breaking them down into simpler steps, recognising recurring patterns and building logical sequences of actions.

It is not only about computing: it is a cross-curricular skill useful in mathematics, language, science and daily life. It includes four fundamental abilities:

• Decomposition — dividing a large problem into smaller ones
• Pattern recognition — spotting similarities and regularities
• Abstraction — focusing on the important aspects and ignoring irrelevant details
• Algorithms — defining sequences of steps to solve the problem

It is recognised by the Italian national digital curriculum (PNSD) as a key competence for Italian schools.

Coding unplugged is a set of educational activities that teach the principles of programming without using computers, tablets or other electronic devices.

Instead, children use their body, recycled materials, printable worksheets, boards and command cards. Typical examples:

• Pixel art on squared paper
• Paths with directional arrows
• Movement games on grids drawn on the floor
• Logical sequences with cards and symbols

It is particularly well suited to preschool and the first years of primary school, because it requires no technological devices and is affordable for every school.

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics. It refers to an interdisciplinary teaching approach that integrates these subjects in hands-on projects.

STEAM adds the A for Arts, recognising that creativity and divergent thinking are essential for innovation and that artistic expression strengthens scientific skills.

The STEAM approach is particularly well suited to preschool and primary school because it values expressiveness, drawing, storytelling and play alongside science and technology. It transforms learning from the transmission of notions into an active construction of knowledge.

The PNSD (Piano Nazionale Scuola Digitale) is the Italian Ministry of Education’s strategy for digital innovation in Italian schools, launched in 2015 and still in force. For an international audience, it can be read as Italy’s national framework, comparable to the digital education policies found in many European countries.

It contains 35 concrete actions covering:

• Digital skills and coding
• Computational thinking
• Teacher training
• Technological infrastructure
• Responsible use of technology

Every Italian school must appoint a “Digital Animator” to coordinate PNSD activities. Many funding calls (PON, PNRR) require projects to be aligned with the PNSD.

Workshops and training pathways must be consistent with its guidelines in order to be included in the school curriculum (PTOF), the three-year education plan adopted by each school.

Pixel art is a graphic technique that uses small coloured squares (pixels) to compose images. Born with the video games of the 1980s, it is today one of the most effective tools for introducing coding in preschool and primary school.

In class, children work on squared paper following coded instructions — for example: “colour red the cells B2, C2, D2”.

It develops:

• Cartesian coordinates
• Pattern recognition
• Attention to sequence and precision
• Creativity applied to logic

It can also be carried out unplugged, without computers.