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Computing Fundamentals: Lesson 2

The document discusses the fundamentals of computational thinking including concepts like decomposition, abstraction, pattern recognition, algorithms, and evaluation. It provides examples of each concept and how they can be applied across different subjects. It also has the learning objectives of understanding computational thinking concepts and developing a prototype for a computerized paper airplane.

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Bobby
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44 views

Computing Fundamentals: Lesson 2

The document discusses the fundamentals of computational thinking including concepts like decomposition, abstraction, pattern recognition, algorithms, and evaluation. It provides examples of each concept and how they can be applied across different subjects. It also has the learning objectives of understanding computational thinking concepts and developing a prototype for a computerized paper airplane.

Uploaded by

Bobby
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Computing fundamentals

Lesson 2
Fundamentals of
computational thinking
Learning objectives:
● to develop a deeper understanding of computational
thinking concepts
● to understand the steps in computational thinking
● to develop and present a prototype for a computerised
paper aeroplane
● to write an accurate algorithm
Computational thinking
Computational thinking means considering a problem in a
way that a computer can help us to solve it.

We need to:
1. understanding what the problem is
2. consider possible solutions
3. use a computer to help solve the problem
Decomposition
Breaking down a complex problem into smaller parts.

Each of these parts can then be considered in detail.


Abstraction
Reducing unnecessary detail and focussing on the
important parts of a system.

Creating a representation or generalisation.


Pattern recognition
Recognising and finding patterns or trends.

Looking for similarities.

Koch snowflake

Raven matrix Geometric series triangle


Algorithms
Developing instructions to solve a problem.

The steps or rules to complete a task.

E.g. Multiplication or division ‘rules’ in maths. What are the


rules/steps for multiplying decimals by 10?

You move the decimal point one space to the right - that’s
the algorithm!
Evaluation
Considering if a solution is ‘fit for purpose’.

Is it:
● suitable for the user?
● easily understood?
● efficient?
● the best that can be done with the resources available?
Computational thinking in other subjects
How do you use these concepts in other subjects?

● Decomposition
● Abstraction
● Pattern recognition
● Algorithms
● Evaluation
Computational thinking in other subjects
● Decomposition
Breaking down the study of climate change in the history of the Earth into smaller timescales to
examine each more closely in Geography

● Abstraction
Creating a mind map for an English or History essay, creating a model of the heart in Biology
● Pattern recognition
Analysing a graph to find trends in the data in Science or Maths.
● Algorithms
Following or creating instructions for an experiment in Science, a recipe in Food Technology or a
score in Music

● Evaluation
Evaluating data in Science or Maths, weighing up arguments in an English essay
Computational thinking
Computational thinking means considering a problem in a
way that a computer can help us to solve it.

We need to:
1. understanding what the problem is
2. consider possible solutions
3. use a computer to help solve the problem
How can computers help create a ‘better’
paper aeroplane?

Perhaps…
● adding a lightweight motor to the plane that turns
on when it senses it is dropping below a certain
speed
● being able to control the plane remotely
● creating a computer simulation to find the ‘ultimate’
design
Prototyping

An initial, basic version of an innovation

It allows you to quickly and easily:


● show how your innovation would work
● test and trial it
● get feedback
● decide what works and what doesn’t
Creating a paper prototype
Using the materials :
○ Sketch or make a representation of your prototype
(abstraction).
○ Add feature labels and explanations as appropriate
○ Include instructions (an algorithm) of how it will work
○ You have 20 minutes
Learning objectives revisited:
● to develop a deeper understanding of computational
thinking concepts
● to understand the steps in computational thinking
● to develop and present a prototype and algorithm for a
computerised paper aeroplane
Exit ticket
● how well did you understand today’s learning?
● what did you learn in the lesson today?
● how would you explain computational thinking to
someone else?

Exit
ticket
Copyright information
Published by the Micro:bit Educational Foundation microbit.org

Licence: Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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