Computational+Thinking+Overview

A quick "grok" of computational thinking. (Grok Definition )

Course: [|Computational Thinking for Educators]

Why? http://compscigail.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-why-are-we-learning-this-guide-for.html http://www.inc.com/kevin-j-ryan/tesla-and-spacex-build-really-cool-hardware-but-thats-not-their-secret-sauce.html How? https://www.ted.com/talks/tom_wujec_got_a_wicked_problem_first_tell_me_how_you_make_toast?language=en

=**Overview:**=

http://ngss.nsta.org/Practices.aspx?id=5 Mathematical and computational thinking at the 6–8 level builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to identifying patterns in large data sets and using mathematical concepts to support explanations and arguments.
 * Decide when to use qualitative vs. quantitative data.
 * Use digital tools (e.g., computers) to analyze very large data sets for patterns and trends.
 * Use mathematical representations to describe and/or support scientific conclusions and design solutions.
 * Create algorithms (a series of ordered steps) to solve a problem.
 * Apply mathematical concepts and/or processes (such as ratio, rate, percent, basic operations, and simple algebra) to scientific and engineering questions and problems.
 * Use digital tools and/or mathematical concepts and arguments to test and compare proposed solutions to an engineering design problem.

Here is one way we might foster computational thinking and prepare students for using digital tools:

Many problems have an “if” part and a “then” part. Computational thinking is determining a step by step process to get from the “if” to the “then” in a way that a computer could manage. Figuring out the steps of getting from “if” to “then” above uses the processes of (1)decomposition, (2)pattern recognition, and/ or (3)abstraction. The steps, called an algorithm, could be written in a flow chart and written into a programmed to be carried out by a computer. (Or be done with a calculator.)



How do we think about problems so that computers can help? http://primary.quickstartcomputing.org/resources/pdf/comp_thinking.pdf Getting computers to help us to solve problems is a two-step process: 1. First, we think about the steps needed to solve a problem. 2. Then, we use our technical skills to get the computer working on the problem.

Spreadsheets and flowcharts might enable computational thinking to be done without or before using digital tools.

__Spreadsheets__ Have students solve problems using spreadsheets. Computational thinking for grade school using spreadsheets. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1087584.pdf
 * Work out what it is you are trying to find out
 * Frame the problem in terms a computer (spreadsheet) will understand
 * Work out what the influential changeable elements are (ie the variables)
 * Decide what operation/s is/are required, ie what algorithm is/are needed
 * Design the spreadsheet
 * Construct it, automating as much of it as possible, especially the error-checking
 * Test it
 * Decide on the best (eg most efficient) solution

__Flow Charts__ http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zpp49j6/revision/3 If we want to tell a computer to do something, we have to write a computer program that will tell the computer, step-by-step, exactly what we want it to do and how we want it to do it. This step-by-step program will need planning, and to do this we use an algorithm.

A flowchart is a diagram that represents a set of instructions. Flowcharts normally use standard symbols to represent the different instructions. There are few real rules about the level of detail needed in a flowchart. Sometimes flowcharts are broken down into many steps to provide a lot of detail about exactly what is happening. Sometimes they are simplified so that a number of steps occur in just one step. Example flowchart: (MS Excel has visual basic programming capabilities.)

Link to check out? https://code.org/curriculum/course3/1/Teacher http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/04/lesson-plans-for-teaching-computational.html#.V0YtuDUrKUk [] [] https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~CompThink/resources/education.html [] http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/blog/2016/01/08/computing-in-the-classroom-computational-thinking/