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- We need to work with technology, but not let it take over our minds where we function like computers.
- Computational thinking is very important for students to learn as it can be beneficial for success in their future careers and endeavors.
- Computational thinking can be conducted without the utilization of computers such as unplugged activities.

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Computational thinking is a framework that further breaks down and describes problem-solving skills. Problem-solving skills and computational thinking work hand in hand as both are needed to effectively come up with a solution. You can exhibit problem-solving skills without using computational thinking, but you can not exhibit computational thinking without the expression of problem-solving skills. When one increases their computational thinking, they are too increasing their problem-solving skills.

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Computational thinking works to describe critical thinking. It does so by breaking down problem-solving into steps in order to come up with an effective solution. In order to properly come up with a solution, one must use critical thinking and analyze parts of the problem to do so.

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Design thinking is different from computational thinking in that the steps are to empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test in order to come up with a product. This is different from CT as it uses decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, algorithm design, and evaluation to solve a certain problem. Although they can be similar as they both work to fix a problem, design thinking incorporates an actual product while CT is a procedure or instructions that helps one solve a problem and does not necessarily need an object to do so.

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In language arts, the teacher could provide their students with 10 parts to a story. The students must communicate and collaborate in order to logically put the parts into the correct sequence.

In Social Studies, students could create models for social networks and demonstrate how they have evolved into how Americans live today.

In engineering, students can use a specific computer software in order to design structures.

In music, students can depict algorithms from diverse musical patterns and use the algorithm to construct a song.

In math, students can research statistics on an athletes performance and interpret, visualize, and compare these statistics to another athlete.

In science, students can build a computational model of a physical phenomenon such as a volcano erupting.

In sewing, students can depict common patterns within clothing and then create an algorithm (a.k.a. pattern) for sewing pants. They can teach another student how to do so by constructing a diagram of the process explaining the instructions.

In dance class, students can collaborate by exchanging dance moves that they know and then turning it in to a dance routine which serves as an algorithm.

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What does CT look like in Early Childhood and Elementary Education?

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What does CT look like in Early Childhood and Elementary Education?

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Some ideas to implement CT in early education is to teach CT through coding. This can be effective as it helps students to visualize and experience the concepts in a concrete way. To break it down further, coding can be further classified into unplugged activities and codable robots. Unplugged activities teach the concept of coding without a computer. One can construct code with a pencil and paper. This allows for conversation about the connections within the world of coding. Another activity is codable robots. Codable robots allow for students to integrate mathematical and engineering concepts to CT knowledge, allowing for a deeper understanding in core subjects.

An example of this would be the classroom constructing an "algorithm" for the most effective way of making a lunch choice.

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What are some research-based effective practices for CT integration?

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What are some research-based effective practices for CT integration?

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Modeling: Teachers should set and demonstrate specific examples of CT by modeling their own understanding of computational thinking. They could do so by asking their students to complete a task but first demonstrate an example that they can follow.
Integrating: Teachers should collaborate and share different technological platforms to facilitate projects that are useful for all disciplines of learning.
Releasing Responsibility Gradually: Teachers should gradually introduce ways of CT thinking and provide helping stepping stones to their students instead of dumping one large problem at a time to their students. Gradually helping will set them up for success as they will feel successful when completing a set of instructions.
Encouraging: Teachers are guided to encourage their students and provide stepping stones instead of just simply stating the correct answer.
Questioning: Another way to help the students instead of just giving them the answer is to ask guiding questions that could provide hints on how to receive the correct answer.
Fostering Alternative Problem-Solving: Teachers should provide other ways of problem-solving such as drawing out a diagram and connect the problem to real-life issues in the world today.
Using CT Vocabulary Across the Curriculum: In incorporating concepts throughout the curriculum, one can see how different concepts and terms connect to problems that one may face in their everyday life.

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Why integrate CT in secondary education?

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Why integrate CT in secondary education?

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The article explains that integrating CT into many subjects and disciplines can help students better grasp the concept and way of thinking as it provides real context and examples. If it is included in many areas, it can allow students to make strong connections between their classes and draw this knowledge when faced with real life problems. CT is important to include in many subjects in secondary education so that they can build foundational skills that can be applied to their future career.

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Why integrate CT in Early Education and Elementary Education?

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Why integrate CT in Early Education and Elementary Education?

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To think in a certain way, one must take time in the subject and practice until mastering. Similarly, learning computational thinking has the same concept. If we expect children to know how to apply computational thinking in middle school, high school, and in their future careers, then the best time for them to start learning of this new way of thinking is right now as they are in elementary school. Some have brought up the concern that implementing CT will increase screen time as it is a current challenge that children face. However, the article brings up a great point that CT does not require screen time and suggest that children can participate in unplugged activities as well as screenless robots.

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One can approach computational thinking in many different ways. Using different approaches is very beneficial as it allows one to problem-solve until a solution is found.

The different approaches are as followed...
1. Tinkering: experimenting and playing
2. Creating: designing and making
3. Debugging: finding and fixing errors
4. Persevering: keeping going
5. Collaborating: working together

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While practicing CT, there are attitudes that are important to display in order to be successful.

Confidence is needed as it when one believes in their own ability to solve problems. Another trait is "communicative" meaning that one is willing and able to effectively communicate with other individuals. Flexibility is also an attitude which means that one has the ability to change and evolve to deal with open-ended problems.

Demonstrating all of these attitudes are important if one wishes to be successful in computational thinking.

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What is the role of technology in supporting computational technology?

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What is the role of technology in supporting computational technology?

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Computational Thinking is forming instructions so clearly in way that computers have the ability to perform them. However, it is important to note that it is not a way of making humans more like computers. Instead, it is used to empower humans to use computers more effectively and freely to solve the problems of the Computer Age. Technology is supposed to support CT but not overtake and be the sole proprietor of this way of thinking.

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Throughout the years, we have seen an influx of technology systems emerging in our everyday lives. For example, non-digital objects are now being designed to operate by using a computer program. Some of these objects are streetlights, car engines, roads, sunglasses, and watches. As more objects arise, more jobs are incorporating these items into their everyday work place. Therefore, students of today need to learn computational thinking in order to keep up with and be competitive in today's ever changing world of technology. It is important for not only computer programmers to learn this skill, but others too as it can be applied to the technological problems that everyone is starting to face today.

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Coding: a computer uses this language in order to complete a set of instructions or tasks

Computational Thinking: a problem-solving process; made up of four components (decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithm design)

Unplugged: a lesson of coding that does not need a computer to function

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The four components are decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithmic thinking.

Decomposition is the breaking down of a difficult problem into easier, more manageable parts.

Pattern recognition is the recognition of similar patterns across many diverse problems and applying past methods that have been successful within these similarities.

Abstraction is when one focuses in on parts of the problem that matter while distinguishing and not paying attention to other parts that are not as useful.

Algorithmic thinking is when one creates a series of steps that someone can follow to fix a certain problem.

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Computational Thinking is a skill that focuses on logical and critical thinking. It is a problem-solving skill, meaning it is not one that is developed from a computer or coding software. Instead, it is formed by a human, can be understood by computer software, and is considered the highest ordered in problem-solving.