Proceedings of The 8th International Conference on Research in Education
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Teaching Computer Science in Primary Education Using Ancient Greek Technology
Evangelia N. Petraki
ABSTRACT:
The contribution of the ancient Greeks in the fields of Philosophy and Science is indisputable. At the same time, the technological achievements of the ancient Greeks are numerous and important. This paper presents specific technologies of the ancient Greeks such as Pyrseia (torches), the Hydraulic telegraph and the cryptographic disk of Aeneas which were used in the context of teaching computer science concepts in elementary school. A simulation of Pyrseia and Hydraulic telegraph, which were semaphore systems in Ancient Greece, were carried out using the Scratch programming environment and used to teach computer science concepts related to networks in primary education students. Additionally, an experiential representation cryptographic disk of Aeneas was created with the aim on the one hand of students getting to know this important technological achievement and on the other hand of teaching cryptography and communications in general. This paper closes by presenting conclusions and suggestions resulting from the use of examples of ancient Greek technology in teaching computer science concepts to primary school students.
keywords: Computer networks; Cryptography; ICT education; Scratch