Development and Application of Elementary School AI Education Program Using the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) Approach

Abstract

The objective of this study is to enhance elementary school students' foundational understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) and to foster their Computational thinking. This goal was realized through the creation of an AI education program integrating the ADDIE model and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) teaching methodology. Before developing the educational program, we conducted a preliminary needs analysis with 60 fifth-grade students from IB World School P Elementary and 36 staff members, aligning with the stages of the ADDIE model. Drawing from the outcomes of this preliminary needs analysis, we opted for the transdisciplinary theme 'How the world works,' as it resonated most aptly with AI-related content, as determined by participating educators. Real-life AI-based concepts were seamlessly woven into the educational material. Throughout the program, students actively engaged in exploratory activities centered on the chosen transdisciplinary theme and central concept. Collaborating on team projects, they collectively tackled problem-solving processes, completing activities and assignments aimed at fostering self-directed learning. To assess the effectiveness of the developed educational program on students' computational thinking, pre- and post-tests were administered. Validation results underscored that the program made a significant contribution to the enhancement of Computational Thinking among the participating students.