We report on a new setup allowing us to collect learning analytics (LA) during computational thinking unplugged or tangible playful activities. We target the development of computational thinking (CT) competency, including the initiation to informatics (i.e., computer science and technology), with the goal to evaluate and analyze the development of CT. Collecting LA is mandatory in this case and if adaptive learning is targeted. While collecting LA during online interactions is rather straightforward, automatically collecting LA when manipulating tangible objects is more challenging, especially in a context where low-cost greenIT material is required.
The key idea here, contrary to usual “black-box” systems working (more or less) automatically, is to change the learning paradigm and involve the learner in the data collection, making the process transparent and allowing her or him to also learn how to learn. This is particularly pertinent here since we use Informatics tools in order to … initiate to Informatics and CT. This means that we have to redesign the activity scenario including its didactic and revisit the underneath pedagogy, which turns to be an interesting and innovative challenge.