21. Computational Thinking

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever faced a problem that required careful thought and planning to solve? Maybe it was a tricky math problem, planning and writing an essay, balancing the mechanical elements of a game, interpreting and reporting the results of a science experiment, or even planning the best route to school or baking cookies just right.

Computational thinking is one strategy you can use when a problem has steps, patterns, extra details, or rules to follow. It helps you understand what the problem is asking, break it into smaller parts, and think logically about how to solve or explain it.

In the following Quests, you’ll explore the four key stages of computational thinking:

• Decomposition – Breaking a problem or system into smaller, more manageable parts.
• Pattern Recognition – Looking for similarities or repeated elements that can help simplify the problem.
• Abstraction – Focusing on what matters by filtering out unnecessary details.

• Algorithms – Creating a step-by-step solution or a set of instructions to follow.

After completing the Computational Thinking Quests, you’ll be ready to take on the Gold Quests, where you’ll use these strategies to code and create your own games!

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Understand computational thinking [Computational Thinker].
2. Be able to solve complex problems using computational thinking [Computational Thinker].
3. Be able to break down a problem into smaller, more manageable parts [Computational Thinker].
4. Know how to look for patterns and sequences [Computational Thinker].
5. Be able to focus on important information only [Computational Thinker].
6. Be able to develop a step-by-step solution to the problem [Computational Thinker].
7. Know how to use coding to automate a task [Computational Thinker].
8. Understand computational design by applying technology to a problem [Innovative Designer].
9. Understand programming as you complete hands-on activities, solving problems encountered [Computational Thinker].
10. Understand the coding your program creates [Empowered Learner].

Play the video below to start your learn journey about Computational Thinking.  

Direct link  (3.48 min.)