Computational Thinking

Computational Thinking

1. Algorithms

   • Step-by-step instructions for solving a problem.
   • A flow chart is a type of diagram that can be used in an algorithm
   • SYMBOL NAME FUNCTION
     • Terminator
     • Decision
     • Process
     • Shows something that happens
     • A question that can be yes/no
     • Starts or ends a flowchart
   • A structured English algorithm uses short sentences to express the instructions

2. Decomposition

   • The act of taking a large problem and breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems
   • Solving a crime:
     • what
     • when
     • where
     • any evidence?
       • any witnesses?
         • Any recent/similar crimes?

3. Abstraction

   • The act of taking away unnecessary detail from a problem in order to solve it.
     • a car got stolen -
     • It was red.
       • NECESSARY DETAIL
         • KEEP
     • It has been on a boat before.
       • UNNECESSARY DETAIL
         • CAN BE TAKEN AWAY

4. Pattern recognition

   • The process of identifying repeated elements to avoid solving the same problem more than once.
   • the cup was blue
   • it was plastic
   • it was the colour blue
     • UNNEEDED - ALREADY BEEN SAID

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