Information Technology Reference
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Context is critical
Looking at Computational Thinking in context is a key point you need to take on
board. Problem-solving is a component part of Computational Thinking. It is also
a facet of many subjects within the curriculum, even though currently the language
used to describe the component parts of problem-solving may not be the same. In
an ideal world all teachers would use a common language, but at this early stage
this is unlikely to happen. Currently, at Key Stage Four, the National Curriculum
for England states that all pupils must develop Computational Thinking skills,
regardless of whether they are doing Computing or not. Thus, the ability to apply
Computational Thinking beyond Computing is essential. What you can do is to
help pupils recognise direct links between problem-solving in other subjects in the
curriculum and techniques involved in Computational Thinking. However, in
Computing it is essential you make the links between Computational Thinking
and real-world application. A number of suggestions for context and examples of
real-world applications are given in this chapter.
Support and creativity
A range of teaching strategies will be discussed that support learning using
Computational Thinking, which promotes creative teaching and creativity in
pupils.
WHAT IS COMPUTATIONAL THINKING?
There is no universally agreed definition of Computational Thinking. In America
it is regarded as:
a fundamental analytical skill that everyone can use to help solve problems,
design systems, and understand human behavior, making it useful in a number
of fields. Supporters of this viewpoint believe that computational thinking is
comparable to the linguistic, mathematical and logical reasoning taught to all
children.
(NAP, 2010)
In England, the Computing At Schools Working Group (CAS) describe it as the
process of ' recognising aspects of computation in the world that surrounds us, and
applying tools and techniques from computing to understand and reason about
both natural and artificial systems and processes' (CAS, 2012a, p. 9).
Task 5.1
Research definitions
There are a number of additional definitions of 'Computational Thinking'.
Research and discuss how well they fit within the context of the Programme of
Study for Computing in England.
We regard Computational Thinking as thinking logically to try to solve problems,
efficiently, using algorithms and procedures. It shares characteristics of the tools
and techniques applied in engineering, design and mathematics to solve problems.
 
 
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