Q1 What is Computational Thinking? (2024)

Q1 What is Computational Thinking? (1)

21. Computational Thinking

Introduction

Computational thinking helps you break down problems into smaller parts so that it is easier to understand and solve them. The process and skill can help you solve problems in any subject area and in life,

This Quest focuses on learning about computational thinking and being able to define or explain what it is.

Q1 What is Computational Thinking? (2)

Source: Jo Culf, CSER MOOC

I Can Statement

  • define computational thinking

Vocabulary

Abstraction: Abstraction is filtering out the data you need and what you don’t need. A computer programmer hides all but the relevant data about an object in order to reduce complexity and increase efficiency.

Algorithm: An algorithm is a detailed step-by-step instruction set or formula for solving a problem or completing a task.

Computational thinker: "Students that develop and employ strategies for understanding and solving problems in ways that leverage the power of technological methods to develop and test solutions". (ISTE Standard 5. for Students)

Decomposition: Decomposition is breaking the problem into smaller parts.

Pattern Recognition: Pattern recognition involves finding the similarities or patterns among small, decomposed problems that can help us solve more complex problems more efficiently.

Play theinteractive Quizlet Game:Direct Link

Steps

In this first Quest, you are learning about the big picture of computational thinking. In the next four Quests, you will dive deeper into each of the four stagesof computational thinking.

  1. Watch this video byJules together as a class.


  2. Reviewthe definitionsof computational thinking that is
    available as a PDF: Jules Corp Computational Thinking
  3. Before you begin the next four Quests, you will need to choose a complex problem to work on as you go through the Quests.
    • It could be as simple as giving directions to a location, creating a new cookie recipe, how to create a bitmoji, or programming and creating a new computer game/application.
    • You and your teacher will choose the problems/projects to work on.
  4. Look at the different examples on this site to assist you in your thinking: Computational Thinking Projects
  5. Make a copy of the Computational Thinking Document to use for planning and working through the rest of these Quests.
  6. Using the Computational Thinking planning document, identify the problem you will be working on using computational thinking.
  7. Share the document with your teacher.

Completing this Quest

In order to complete this Quest, youlearned about computational thinking, chose a complex problem or project to work on, created a copy of the computational thinking planning document and shared it with your teacher.

Check off this Quest on the 21t4s roadmap

I have completed this Quest and I am ready to learn about Quest 2

MITECS Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students, and

ISTE Standards for Students

1. Empowered Learner
a. Articulateand set personal learning goals, developing strategies leveraging technology toachieve them, and reflect on the learning process itself to improve learning outcomes
c. Use technologyto seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways

3. Knowledge Constructor
d. Students build knowledge by active exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and pursuing answers and solutions

4. Innovative Designer
a. Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems

5. Computational Thinker
a. Students formulate problem definitions suited for technology-assisted methods such as data analysis, abstract models and algorithmic thinking in exploring and finding solutions
b. Studentscollect dataoridentifyrelevant data sets,use digital tools toanalyzethem, andrepresentdata in various ways to facilitate problem-solving and decision-making

Q1 What is Computational Thinking? (2024)

FAQs

Q1 What is Computational Thinking? ›

Computational thinking is an interrelated set of skills and practices for solving complex problems, a way to learn topics in many disciplines, and a necessity for fully participating in a computational world.

What is computational thinking? ›

Computational thinking is defined as the process of identifying a clear, defined, step-by-step solution to a complex problem.

What is computational thinking quizlet? ›

Computational thinking. Is the thought processes involved in formulating a problem and expressing its solution in such a way that a computer—human or machine—can effectively carry out. Decomposition. Means breaking a problem down into smaller, more manageable parts which are then easier to solve.

What are the 4 concepts of computational thinking? ›

This broad problem-solving technique includes four elements: decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithms. There are a variety of ways that students can practice and hone their computational thinking, well before they try computer programming.

What is one example of computational thinking? ›

1. Solving Puzzles or Playing Games. Whether they recognize it or not, most students utilize computational thinking when they are solving puzzles or playing games. For instance, children learn early how to put jigsaw puzzles together by analyzing the shapes and patterns on pieces.

Why is computational thinking important? ›

Computational thinking is a critical skill that, when used effectively, can not only solve complex problems, but also drive innovation in a wide range of applications. For students, computational thinking is a critical future-ready skill that can empower them in their education, future careers and beyond.

What are examples of computational skills? ›

Computational skills encompass computational physics skills (e.g., translating models into code, choosing scales and units, choosing appropriate algorithms and tools, extracting physical insight, understanding the limitations of computers and computer models), the use of a variety of computational tools (e.g., ...

What best describes computational thinking? ›

Definition of Computational Thinking

Computational thinking is a set of skills and processes that enable students to navigate complex problems. It relies on a four-step process that can be applied to nearly any problem: decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithmic thinking.

What is computational thinking the developing definition? ›

In other words, computational thinking is a focused approach to problem solving, incorporating thought processes that utilize abstraction, decomposition, algorithmic design, evaluation, and generalizations. 6. CONCLUSION. There is a genuine need for a robust and agreed definition of computational thinking.

What is the approach to a definition of computational thinking? ›

Mar 11, 2021. 78. Computational Thinking is a set of techniques for solving complex problems that can be classified into three steps: Problem Specification, Algorithmic Expression, and Solution Implementation & Evaluation.

What are the 5 principles of computational thinking? ›

More guides on this topic
  • Decomposition.
  • Pattern recognition.
  • Abstraction.
  • Algorithms.
  • Evaluating solutions.

What are the 3 major computational thinking methods? ›

Three important elements of computational thinking are:
  • decomposition.
  • abstraction.
  • algorithmic thinking - read more about this in the algorithm production guide.

What does computational mean? ›

Computational is an adjective referring to a system of calculating or "computing," or, more commonly today, work involving computers. Tasks with a lot of computational steps are best performed on modern digital computers.

What is computational thinking in simple words? ›

Computational thinking (CT) refers to the thought processes involved in formulating problems so their solutions can be represented as computational steps and algorithms. In education, CT is a set of problem-solving methods that involve expressing problems and their solutions in ways that a computer could also execute.

What is computational thinking used in everyday life? ›

Computational thinking is a problem-solving approach that enables individuals to tackle complex challenges by breaking problems down into manageable steps, recognizing patterns, and designing repeatable, step-by-step solutions.

What are the 5 types of computational thinking? ›

Computational thinking is broken down into several phases that facilitate problem-solving:
  • Problem Identification. The first phase involves clearly defining the problem that needs to be solved. ...
  • Decomposition. ...
  • Pattern Recognition. ...
  • Abstraction. ...
  • Algorithms. ...
  • Evaluation and Refinement.
Oct 4, 2023

What are the 3 areas of computational thinking? ›

There are four key techniques (cornerstones) to computational thinking:
  • decomposition. - breaking down a complex problem or system into smaller, more manageable parts.
  • pattern recognition. – looking for similarities among and within problems.
  • abstraction. ...
  • algorithms.

What are the four computational thinking terms? ›

Computational thinking is a set of skills and processes that enable students to navigate complex problems. It relies on a four-step process that can be applied to nearly any problem: decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithmic thinking.

Is computational thinking the same as critical thinking? ›

These two thinking styles have a lot of overlap. Their differences exist mostly because Critical Thinking was developed well before computer science became a need in K-12 education. Computational Thinking was originally developed to specifically address how someone thinks when writing code, then it became so much more.

Is computational thinking easy? ›

Computational thinking is a map from curiosity to understanding that makes it easier to tackle both large and small problems. Both “plugged” and “unplugged,” computational thinking underscores the transition of student learning in an era when education is moving from content acquisition to higher-order thinking skills.

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