final exam Flashcards
How is Computational thinking integrated into education
- Learning about the technology( how computer works, coding)
-Learning with the technology (support and enhance problem solving)
What curriculum is Computational thinking part of
Science for k-6
Jeanette Wing uses Computational thinking as shorthand for what
“thinking like a computer scientist.”
What is Jeanette Wings grand vision for Computational thinking
Computational thinking will be a fundamental skill for everyone by the mid 21st century: taught in school like writing
Computational thinking is useful for ?
Computational thinking is a useful tool in learning any subject that involves problem-solving
Who is Computational thinking meant for?
Computational thinking is a fundamental skill that can be employed for everybody, not only for computer scientists
Jeanette Wing definition for Computational thinking
involves
-solving problems
-designing systems
-understanding human behavior, by drawing on the concepts fundamental to computer science
-It represents a universally applicable attitude and skill set everyone, not just computer scientists, would be eager to learn and use
Royal Society definition for Computational thinking
- the process of recognising aspects of computation in the world that surrounds us,
-applying tools and techniques from Computer Science to understand and reason about both natural and artificial systems and processes
Computational thinking involves (3)
Solving problems
Designing systems
Understanding human behavior
Concepts of Computational thinking(6)
- Logic (predicting and analyzing)
-Algorithms (making steps and rules)
-Decomposition (breaking down into parts)
-Patterns (spotting and using similarities)
-Abstraction (removing unnecessary detail)
-Evaluation (making judgement)
Computational thinking approaches
- Tinkering (experimenting)
- Creating (designing)
- Debugging (finding and fixing errors)
- Persevering (keep going)
-Collaborating (working together)
4 core concepts
DECOMPOSITION,
ABSTRACTION,
PATTERN RECOGNITION,
ALGORITHMS
Decomposition
The strategy of breaking a complex idea or challenging problem down into its more manageable parts.
(e.g. writing a paper, teaching reading, planning a wedding, building raised garden boxes, building a dog ramp :).
Pattern Recognition
Humans are biological pattern recognition machines. We see patterns everywhere… they help organize the world and make predictions…
Examples: forming categories, self-driving vehicles, Amazon recommendations, facial recognition…
Pattern recognition is one of the core elements of AI (machine learning)
Algorithm Design
Set of rules to be followed: For example, when a chef writes a recipe for a dish, she is creating an algorithm that others can follow to replicate the dish … a sequence of steps.
Abstraction
Carefully selecting the qualities we care about and ignoring the rest of the details (e.g., Google maps, a synopsis of story, explain you idea in 30 seconds, recreate the Golden Gate Bridge in Minecraft)
how is Computational thinking the most effectively learned and most apparent
through the rigorous creative process of writing code.
Computational thinking skills: broad context
Gathering and organizing data to investigate questions and communicate findings.
- student wants to learn about the solar system: start by investigating and asking what planets are in it, etc
- communicate findings by making a model
Expressing procedures as algorithms (that is, a series of logical, precise, repeatable steps that deliver an expected result) to reliably create and analyze processes.
- in additon to making physical model, they can make computational model that contain algorithms for planets that go around the sun
- they go in an elipse, 1st draft of a computational model
Creating computational models that use data and algorithms to simulate complex systems.
- if you are going to build a computational model, you need to know learn the computer science skills to do it and how the solar system
-you need both
- coding is one way of learning this
Using and comparing computational models to develop new insights about a subject.
- when they build the model, they can explain it, revise the model, have varieties in the model, and change the model
Operationalize
is the process of defining a fuzzy concept (computational thinking) so as to make it clearly distinguishable or measurable, and to understand it in terms of empirical observations.
one way to do articulate this process and to define the fuzzy concept is to create a operational definition
operational definition
description of something(computational thinking) in terms of the operations (procedures, actions, or processes) by which it could be observed and measured
how do you operationally define anxiety
through tests, surveys, questionnaires, physical measurements
how do you operationally define Intelligence
head measurements, tests, IQ,
how do you operationally define computational thinking for k-12 students
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 to achieve the most efficient and effective combination of steps and resources
Generalizing and transferring this problem-solving process to a wide variety of problems
Dispositions or attitudes that are essential dimensions of CT
Confidence in dealing with complexity
Persistence in working with difficult problems
Tolerance for ambiguity
The ability to deal with open-ended problems
The ability to communicate and work with others to achieve a common goal or solution
The primary way CT is integrated into the K-12 curriculum is by
Learning About and Learning With Technology
According to Jeannette Wing, computational thinking is a useful tool in learning:
Any subject that involves problem solving.
Operationalization is the process of defining a fuzzy _______ so as to make it clearly distinguishable or measurable, and to understand it in terms of ________ observations.
concept, empirical
computational thinking 4 point cycle
computational thinking (concept)
to
operationalzation through
to
computer science (knowledge/skills)
to
measure learning (process and product of building computational models)
Conceptual learning progression follows a ____ curriculum.
spiral
what is a spiral curriculum
Content, and Skills increase in complexity as age increases
Simple set of computational models
- Scratch as a Mindtool
- in control of what they do - Constructionist Learning Theory
- building something - Abstraction
- draw diagrams - Decomposition
- break up problem - Pattern Recognition
- constant pattern - Algorithm
Misconceptions and challenges in coding
Only programmers can teach coding
Students already have too much screen time
Only future programmers benefit from coding
Coding doesn’t fit the curriculum or testing regimen
Teaching computer science is too expensive
Tech changes too fast to teach
Cancode Initiative program
200 million dollar investment
Support for educational opportunities for coding and digital skills
PD for K-12 teachers
Assistive Technology definition
any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities
Inclusive education definition
term used to describe educational environments which accommodate for the needs of all students within mainstream classrooms
Low-tech AT
devices and tools that support students but don’t require extensive training or high cost which are easily accessed and replaced. Ex: pencil grips, highlighting pens.
Mid-tech AT
don’t require extensive training to use and are reasonably priced. Have a power source (battery) but not too complex. Ex: communication systems, recording devices.
High-tech AT:
best for those with extensive disabilities and functional needs (minimal movement). Requires training, more costly.
how to select devices for assistive technology
requires the person
determining the selection to have appropriate knowledge of the device
sufficiently detailed knowledge of the needs of the individual, while working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure appropriate match
Three Principles of UDL
How does the learner pick up information? - Provide multiple means of representation
How do they act upon that information? - Provide multiple means of actions and expressions
How are they engaging in learning?- Provide multiple means of engagement?
UDL: Multiple Means of Representation
Make sure to present information in many ways to everyone can learn
math: manipulatives and symbolic
UDL: Multiple Means of action and expression
Vary greatly on how they can express what they know
UDL: Multiple Means of engagement
if they do not get engaged, none of the others matter
Text-to-Speech Assistive Technology
Text can be read aloud to student
Instead of DECODING, students focus on COMPREHENSION
Can participate in discussions
Helps student pay attention and reduce frustration
Work Independently
Teacher can focus on conversation and concept development
Word Prediction - Assistive Technology
Predicts a word while the student is typing
Reads the word aloud as well
Improves legibility
Students have the freedom of choice
Can add class-specific words
Potential is achieved
Helps students who are not strong spellers
Visual Thinking Tools - Assistive Technology
Concept maps (example)
Use of images and texts for problem-solving, communication, explaining etc
Build on background knowledge
Fosters collaboration
Focus attention on key elements
Memory prompts and structured thinking
Speech Recognition - Assistive Technology
Transfers voice to written text
Efficiently communicate ideas
Alternate between typing and speaking
Heightened expression and organization
Independence and inclusion and confidence
Reduces labor of writing
CT Concepts: Logic and Logical Thinking
Analyzing situations to make a decision or reach a conclusion about a situation
Students can build these skills by working on logical puzzles and problem-solving
Using scratch codes like AND, OR, and NOT
CT Concepts: Algorithms and Algorithmic Thinking
Algorithms - step-by-step plans or procedures to solve a problem or reach a goal
Skill involved in developing an algorithm (like a cooking recipe)
Most algorithms consist of the building blocks, sequence, selection, and repetition
like conditional checks or looping
what is a conditional check in coding
Conditional checks: if-then-else
what is looping in coding
Looping: do-while, for, repeat, or repeat-until.
CT concepts: Patterns and Pattern Recognition
Recognizing a repeating pattern can lead to finding a generalizable solution
AI recognizes patterns in data
Most of the algorithms that students encounter in the context of K-12 CT learning involve three basic building blocks
sequence, selection, and repetition.
CT concepts: Abstraction and Generalization
Most important & high-level thought process in CT
Abstraction is “information hiding”
Focus only on the input and output, and thus, simplify and manage complexity
Helps to generalize similarities and differences
Every algorithm is an abstraction
CT concepts: Evaluation
Solutions to problems in the form of algorithms or abstractions as programs must be evaluated for correctness and appropriateness
Solutions to problems are evaluated for correctness and accuracy
Ex. Algorithm that provides directions - evaluated for speed, accuracy, most scenic,
CT concepts: Automation
“Computing is the automation of our abstractions”
The application of tech, programs, etc to achieve outcomes
Other ways than programming to foster computational thinking
Logical Puzzles
Word Problems
Puzzles
What CT is not!
thinking is an inherently human trait that involves reasoning. Computers do not think, so CT is NOT ‘thinking like a computer’, rather it is about thinking like a computer scientist.
CT Practices defition
- Approaches that computer scientists often use when they engage in computational problem-solving
5 CT practices
Problem Decomposition
Creating Computational Artifacts
Testing and Debugging
Incremental Development (Iterative Refinement)
Collaboration and Creativity
Collaboration and Creativity
Fostered through “pair programming” - alternate taking the lead on typing or reviewing code
Encourage out of the box thinking, creation of computational artifact, and alternative approaches to problem solving
Incremental Development (Iterative Refinement)
Slowly writing up and growing the solution or program with frequent testing and debugging in between to develop improvements
Preferable to writing large chunks of code that make it difficult to isolate the bugs
Incremental growth
Testing and Debugging
Evaluating, running tests, and changing/making tweaks to solve a problem
Creating Computational Artifacts
Creating a solution that can be executed by a computer is often the end goal of CT and problem-solving
Sometimes the computational artifact is the end goal
Could also be a model or simulation of something that will eventually be a physical artifact
Demonstration of computational competencies
Problem Decomposition
Breaking a problem down into smaller subproblems makes the problem more digestible
Sub-tasks contain their own set of actions independent of the other and which happen in the same sequence every day
Programming context - pieces of code being written separately and independently of each other
CAST
Centre for Applied Special Technology