3. Computational Thinking

This unit introduces students to the world of computational thinking and logic. You will get to understand the power of problem solving and the different methods that Computer Scientists use to tackle problems. This unit includes many novel activities to introduce key topics. For example, logical deductions and logical puzzles are used to show logical thinking, water pipes are used to introduce logic gates, network topology is used to show how mazes can be solved and phone messaging is used to demonstrate decomposition.

One lesson contains a practical activity in Scratch. It s hoped that this unit can be used to prepare students for the BEBRAS Computational Thinking challenge in November.

1. LOGICAL THINKING

Be able to ask logical questions to solve problems
Know the common Boolean operators:
- AND
- OR
- NOT
Understand how Boolean operators can be represented in written expressions and Venn diagrams

LESSON PRESENTATION

2. LOGIC GATES

Understand how logic is used in different situations
Know different logic gates including:
- AND gates
- OR gates
- NOT gates
Be able to complete truth tables for logic gates and circuits with up to three inputs

LESSON PRESENTATION Link: Logic.ly

3. ALGORITHMIC THINKING #01

Understand what an algorithm is
Create a sequence of instructions to achieve a goal
Understand how loops can be used to reduce the amount of code required for a solution
- Understand how nested loops can be used to improve solutions further
Be able to refine algorithms to reduce the number of instructions required

LESSON PRESENTATION Link: An Intelligent Delivery RobotLink: Scratch - Table numbersLink: Scratch - Four tables

4. ALGORITHMIC THINKING #02

Know the difference between lossy and lossless compression
Create algorithms for compressing data
Know how knowledge of letter frequency can help with compressing text

LESSON PRESENTATION

5. ABSTRACTION

Understand how abstractions are used in everyday life
Be able to create abstractions for different purposes
Understand how networks are used to make an abstraction of a maze
Understand network (graph) theory terms including:
- Nodes
- Edges

LESSON PRESENTATION Link: Graph editorLink: Open street map

6. DECOMPOSITION

Understand how decomposition can be used to break down problems into more manageable components
Be able to break down a large Computing problem into its parts and understand:
- how images are converted to binary using pixels
- how text is converted to binary using ASCII
- how data is broken up into packets
- how data is sent through a network

LESSON PRESENTATION Link: Graph EditorLink: Pixel Art

7. preparation for assessment

Be able to apply their knowledge in answers to a range of questions
Be able to highlight areas of strength and any gaps in their understanding of computational thinking

LESSON PRESENTATION

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