Computational Thinking

Summary

Materials

• Day 4 PowerPoint deck
• Computational Thinking Activity
• Computational Thinking Activity (Worksheet in Word)

Instructional Activities and Classroom Assessments

1. What is Computational Thinking? (10 minutes)
2. Jeannette Wing (5 minutes)
3. Computational Thinking (15 minutes)
4. Computational Thinking Challenges (15 minutes)
5. Homework

Learning Objectives

• AAP-2.A Express an algorithm that uses sequencing without using a programming language.
• AAP-3.B Explain how the use of procedural abstraction manages complexity in a program.
• DAT-1.A
• DAT-2.A

Essential Knowledge

• DAT-2.A.1 Information is the collection of facts and patterns extracted from data.
• AAP-2.A.4 Every algorithm can be constructed using combinations of sequencing, selection, and iteration.
• AAP-3.B.1 One common type of abstraction is procedural abstraction, which provides a name for a process and allows a procedure to be used only knowing what it does, not how it does it.
• AAP-3.B.2 Procedural abstraction allows a solution to a large problem to be based on the solutions of smaller subproblems. This is accomplished by creating procedures to solve each of the subproblems.
• DAT-1.A.5
• DAT-2.A.1

Details

1. What is Computational Thinking (10 minutes)

• Discuss the article students read for homework.
• Guide students' discussion with the following questions:
  • What is computational thinking?
  • What does computational thinking involve?
  • What real world examples are included in the article that help you understand what computational thinking is and what it is not?
  • What were some of the vocabulary words that you looked up?

2. Jeannette Wing (5 minutes)

• Discuss Jeannette Wing's background.
• Discuss what she meant by "think like a Computer Scientist."

3. Computational Thinking (15 minutes)

• Using the PPT and talking points, deliver a lecture on Computational Thinking.
• Discuss Universal Components:
  • Decomposition
  • Pattern recognition
  • Abstraction
  • Algorithmic thinking

4. Computational Thinking Challenges (15 minutes)

• Divide the class into groups of 3-5 students.
• Pass out 1 worksheet to each group to fill out.
• Encourage students to complete the challenges as a team.

5. Homework

• Three choices, pick one:
  1. Write a short science fiction story about a character who uses the four ideas of computational thinking to solve a problem or overcome a challenge.
  2. Draw a picture that somehow incorporates/represents the four ideas of computational thinking to you.
  3. Analyze a poem or song lyrics to identify where you see the four ideas of computational thinking at work.
• Remember, the four ideas of computational thinking are:
  • Decomposition - the ability to break a larger problem down into smaller parts.
  • Pattern recognition - being able to identify similarities within problems.
  • Abstraction - a conceptual process where general rules and concepts are derived from the usage and classification of specific examples.
  • Algorithmic thinking - when you develop a step-by-step process or rules to follow to solve a problem.