Transcript Computational Thinking: A Problem-Solving Tool for Every Classroom Pat Phillips We do not acquire technical skills simply from the use of technology any more.

Computational Thinking:
A Problem-Solving Tool
for Every Classroom
Pat Phillips
We do not acquire technical skills simply
from the use of technology any more than
engineering skills evolve from using
automobiles or aeronautical engineering
skills from flying.
Robert Tinker, Alvaro Galvis, and Andrew Zucker
The Concord Consortium
Our Plans
What is computational thinking?
Why is it important to think about?
How might it different from what we do
now?
How can it enhance learning for students?
What can happen in your classroom to
implement computational thinking
strategies?
Opportunities to share throughout
Something to consider
The type of thinking required by citizens for
successful participation in a society is
related to the raw products available and
the production processes being used to
solve problems.
Industrial Activity
Knowing about physical things and
thinking about making/combining
materials into new things.
Terms you are likely familiar with:
•
•
•
•
Assembly-line processes
Automation
JIT—Just In Time processing
CAD/CAM
Information Technology
Knowing how to apply technology to
locate and use information to solve
problems
Terms we have become familiar with:
• Telecommunications
• Networks
• WYSIWYG
Beyond Information Technology
Knowing about data and ideas and
using/combining these resources to solve
problems.
Move students beyond using tools and
information to creating tools and
information
The raw materials require thought
processes about manipulating data, using
abstractions, computational thinking.
What is Computational Thinking?
Asking: What is the power and limit of
human and computer intelligence?
Asking: How difficult is the problem?
Asking: How can it be solved?
Asking: How can technology be applied to
the problem?
Asking: What computational strategies
might be employed?
What it’s not…
It’s not just more technical details for using
software
It’s not thinking like a computer
It’s not programming (necessarily)
It doesn’t always require a computer
It’s not yet one more thing to add to your
curriculum
How is it different from other
learning strategies?
Not just procedural
Not just constructionist
Not just integrated
Why is it important?
It moves students beyond technology
literacy
It creates problem solvers instead of
software technicians
It emphasizes creating knowledge rather
than using information
It presents endless possibilities for
creatively solving problems
It enhances the problem-solving
techniques you already teach
What is happening in the World?
“Computational” has become part of
Math and statistics
Every Science
Biology
Physics
Nanotechnology
Chemistry
Economics
Arts and recreation
Engineering and design
What has been accomplished?
Computational
Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Computer Science
Law
Economics
Aeronautics
Education
It fits with the ISTE NETS
Teachers apply technology to develop
students’ higher order skills and creativity.
(III)
Students use productivity tools to
collaborate in constructing technology
enhanced models, prepare publications,
and produce other creative works. (4)
Students employ technology in the
development of strategies for solving
problems in the real world. (6)
Computational Thinking Concepts
Algorithm—the kingpin term
Data—variables, data bases, Queue
Abstraction—conceptualizing, modularizing
Query—search, conditionals, Boolean
Sensing & Feedback—robotics
Iterations—loops, recursion
Systems
So what can happen in my
classroom?
Computer science/technology
Math
Science
Social studies
Language arts
Fine arts
Other subjects?
Other situations?
Show me some real examples
Analyzing data
Simulations
Modeling
Data manipulation
Digital manipulatives & illustrators
Flight Simulator X
An opportunity for computational
thinking with a simulation
Concepts useful for teaching
Add to your own ICT knowledge.
Help students to learn uses of ICT to
represent and help solve problems within
the various disciplines.
Help students gain some underlying
and/or introductory knowledge of
computer science.
Use terms associated with computing in
everyday activities.
Ask lots of ICT questions; encourage
students to ask lots of questions and plan
strategies to solve them.
Resources
Computational Thinking Jeanette Wing,
CMU
Beginner Developer Learning Center
Bit & Bytes and Kids Corner, Microsoft
LifeLong Kindergarten Mitch Resnick,
MIT
Great Principles of Computing Peter
Denning, Naval Postgraduate School
Thank you
Jeannette Wing Carnegie Mellon
Mitch Resnick MIT
Peter Denning Naval Postgraduate School
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.