Context and Model for Writing This Book: An Idea of Big Concepts

This chapter is introductive. It introduces and explains the term Big Concepts (BCs), outlines the broad context to construct the evolutionary model for change, and motivates the book’s idea and content. The motivating context covers (i) a short glance to education evolution with a focus on Education 4.0 and Smart Education, (ii) a short glance to computing evolution with a focus on programming, (iii) a short glance to STEM evolution and computational thinking research. Basic BCs (Internet of Things, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence) stand for delivering new content to drive the evolution of STEM-driven computer science education. We treat Big Concepts (STEM, computer science, and robotics) as the object for investigation and research to drive the evolution of this paradigm exploring the content of basic BCs. The remaining BCs (Integrated STEM Thinking and skills model, including computational thinking, and Smart Education) are the product or outcomes of this educational paradigm. The presented evolutionary model enables the formulation of the content of the entire book.