Research ~ Computational Thinking

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Calum J. Eadie edited this page Mar 8, 2013 · 3 revisions

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_thinking

Computational Thinking as a problem solving method.

Characteristics:

Analyzing and logically organizing data
Data modelling, data abstractions and simulations
Formulating problems such that computers may assist
Identifying, testing and implementing possible solutions
Automating solutions via algorithm thinking
Generalizing and applying this process to other problems

Seymour Papert, 1996 http://www.papert.org/articles/AnExplorationintheSpaceofMathematicsEducations.html

Jeannette M. Wing, 2006, ACM http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?doid=1118178.1118215

Computational thinking as a fundamental skill for everyone.

http://www.google.com/edu/computational-thinking/

Decomposition
Pattern recongnition
Pattern generalisation and abstraction
Algorithm design

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=60OVlfAUPJg#!

Argueing can make mathematics more practical and more conceptual at the same time by leveraging computers.

http://www.iste.org/learn/computational-thinking/ct-operational-definition Operational definition

Formulating problems in a way that enables us to use a computer and other tools to help solve them.
Logically organizing and analyzing data
Representing data through abstractions such as models and simulations
Automating solutions through algorithmic thinking (a series of ordered steps)
Identifying, analyzing, and implementing possible solutions with the goal of achieving the most efficient and effective combination of steps and resources
Generalizing and transferring this problem solving process to a wide variety of problems

Computing at School http://www.computingatschool.org.uk/index.php?id=documents

Curriculum for Schools http://www.computingatschool.org.uk/index.php?id=cacfs

Key concepts:

Languages, machines and computation
- Languages
- Algorithms
- Machines
- Computational models
Data and representation
- Representation
- Storage and transmission
- Organisation
- Digital vs. analogue
Communication and cooridination
- Reactive processes
- Actions
- Events
- Communication
- Cooperation
- Packet switching and routing
- Authentication
- Privacy
- Anonymity
- Network
- Internet
Abstraction and design
- Hardware
- Software
- Simulate and model
- Interface
- Modelling
- Categorisation
- Classification
Wider context of computing
- Intelligence and consciousness
- The natural world
- Creativity and intellectual property
- Moral and ethical implications

Key processes - Computational Thinking:

Abstraction
- Modelling
- Decomposing
- Generalising and classifying
Programming
- Designing and writing programs
  - Programs incl.
    - Sequencing: doing one step after another
    - Selection: doing either one thing or another
    - Repetition
    - Language concepts than support abstraction: incl. functon with parameters
  - Find and correct errors in code
  - Reflect thoughtfully on their program
- Abstraction mechanisms
  - Recognising that one is writing more or less of the same code repeatedly
  - Designing a procedure to generalise
  - Replace instances will calls to procedure
  - Using simple data structures
  - High level design patterns
    - Divide and conquer
    - Pipelining
    - Caching
    - Sorting
    - Searching
    - Backtracking
    - Recursion
    - Client/server
    - Model/view/controller
- Debugging, testing and reasoning about programs