What is it?
Throughout the first two modules, we covered ISTE Standards, Digital Residency, the 4 C’s, and Computational Thinking.
The most impactful one for me was computational thinking. This is a term that refers to a set of connected concepts as well as specific skills that help people solve complicated challenges.
Piper Computer
Decomposition, algorithm design, pattern recognition, and abstraction are fundamental components of computational thinking.
I didn't have a lot of experience with building something using a blueprint, but I realized that I use the skills in a lot of the things I do. Following a recipe, building furniture, and more all use the same process that we did with building the PIPER computer.
Specific examples of how we used CT with the PIPER Building Kit
Decomposition: Breakdown of instructions with words and images
Pattern Recognition: Putting an eyebolt between the wood and screw every time we added a new piece
Algorithm: Took a step back, talked through the problem, and saw where we went wrong
Abstraction: Determined the concepts and tools we needed to use
Blueprint
Building Kit
In the classroom
The benefits of computational thinking extend to students of all ages and levels, and the skill is increasingly being put to use in the corporate world. Educators everywhere should place a strong emphasis on teaching students how to use technology in order to help them tackle difficult challenges. Just a few examples of this are the PIPER computer-building program and Sphero coding we did in our class.
In the workforce
Every profession has its share of difficult problems calling for analytical thinking and a positive attitude. Skills in computational thinking are useful in any academic or professional setting. Learning how to use a new software system or needing to develop a new website are just two examples of the difficult challenges that people may face in their future settings.