Ki Won Nam

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About

Ki Won Nam is a leading researcher in early childhood robotics education, with a particular focus on integrating computational thinking and tangible programming into kindergarten curricula. Her most-cited work, "Connecting Plans to Action: The Effects of a Card-Coded Robotics Curriculum and Activities on Korean Kindergartners" (2019, 79 citations), demonstrates her pioneering approach to making abstract coding concepts accessible to young learners through card-coded robotics. This study, which has become a foundational reference in the field, shows how structured, play-based robotics activities can significantly enhance children's planning and sequencing skills. Nam's research bridges developmental psychology and educational technology, offering empirical evidence that even pre-literate children can engage with foundational programming logic when scaffolded through physical, manipulable interfaces. Her work has influenced curriculum design in South Korea and internationally, highlighting the importance of connecting concrete actions to abstract plans in early STEM education. By focusing on the critical transition from symbolic representation to physical execution, Nam has provided educators with practical, evidence-based strategies for introducing computational thinking in early childhood settings.