Programmering i førskolen - Pedagogers forståelser og forutsetninger

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to study educators’ understanding of programming in early childhood education and what conditions they find to be necessary to work with programming. This study has taken place in a specific context where the curriculum is in a process of change in Sweden. In the suggestion for a revised curriculum made by Skolverket digital competence has been added and it gives preschools the responsibility for creating possibilities for children to develop their digital competence. In the comment material for the new curriculums by Skolverket programming is defined as a digital tool and also understood in a wider sense as part of every aspect of digital competence. This is a qualitative study and both interviews and a questionnaire form has been used. Eight educators from three different preschools has participated. The educators’ understanding of programming has been analyzed using discourse theory and analysis. The conditions for working with programming is analyzed using the TPCK model for integrating technology in teaching in addition to discourse theory.The results of this study show that the dominating way to understand programming is part of a discourse that lifts the importance of programming as basic or key competences that everyone should have, both for the sake of the individual and for society’s sake. When it comes to the conditions for working with programming in early childhood education knowledge stands out as one of the main factors, much because there is a lack of knowledge on the subject amongst educators. Knowledge is a wide term and the study shows that all the categories of the TPCK model is covered in the educators perceived conditions. Outside of knowledge the driving force of individuals, active leadership, organizational structures and practical experience are also seen as conditions to work with programming.