Computational Thinking | Mind Map

Introduction

Conceptualising

Not only about programming

Not just technical details for using software

Fundamental skill

Not a role skill

Not just one more thing to add to curriculum

A way human thinks

Not a way computer think

Problem solving + critical thinking

Ideas

Not artifacts

How we use higher level thinking to create solution

Unplugged Activities

Programming

CT Facets

Emphasises the importance of approaching problems in a systematic way

Generalisation

Taking a/part of solution to a problem and generalizing it

To be applied to similar problems

Abstraction

Individuals to identify the most important aspects of problem

Problem Decomposititon

Break down problems into smaller and more manageable parts

Focusing on solving each part of problem

Algorithmic Design

Focuses on creating step-by-step processes

To complete a task/solve a problem

Iteration

Repeat design processes

To refine solutions, until the ideal result is achieved

Debugging

Identify and fix error

CT Competences

Algorithmic Thinking

The ability to think in a detailed way

By placing the proceedings in sequence to produce a solution

Critical Thinking

The ability to analyze and make assessment-oriented judgements

Lead to decision making

Problem Solving

The ability to sustain in investigative processes

By generating solutions

Cooperativity

The ability to help each other in learning with different methods

In accordance with a common purpose

Creativity

The ability to develop genuine ideas

With the combination of existing ideas and new ideas

Through critical thinking and problem solving

CT Concepts

SCRATCH

Sequences

A series of individual steps/ instructions that can be executed by the computer

Loops

A mechanism for running the same sequence multiple times

Parallelism

The sequences of instructions happening at the same time

Events

One thing causing another thing to happen

Conditionals

The ability to make decisions based on certain conditions

Supports the expression of multiple outcomes

Operations

Provide support for mathematical/logical/string expressions

Enabling the programmer to perform numeric and string manipulations

Data

Data involves storing, retrieving, and updating values

E.g: Variables

CT Practices

Incremental and Iterative

Designing a project is a sequential process of first identifying a concept for a project

Then developing a plan for the design

Then implementing the design in code

Testing and Debugging

Trial and error

Transfer from other activities

Support from knowledgeable others

Reusing and Remixing

Access to a wide range of other people's work

Allows designers to build on other people's work

Abstracting and Modularizing

Putting together collections of smaller parts

Or separating out the different behaviors/actions

CT Perspectives

Expressing

Sees computation as a medium and thinks "I can create"

Connecting

Creativity and learning are deeply social practices

Questioning

Can use computation to ask questions to make sense of computational things in the world

Benefits

Moves students beyond technology literacy

Creates problem solvers instead of software users

Emphasizes creating knowledge and designing processes that can be autamated

Encourages creativity and problem solving

Enhances many of the problem-techniques you already know and teach

Application

In Teaching and Learning

How to solve problems by understanding the principles

CT as the automation of abstractions

Expose students to modeling and simulation

Encourage students to build their own models and simulations

Eg: Comp Bio, Comp Chem

Problem solving is abstracting existing knowledge and skills to solve an unanswered question

In K-12 Education Setting

Elementary education

Music/Dance

Mathematics

Science