3 a’s of computational thinking. computational thinking
TRANSCRIPT
3 A’s of Computational Thinking
Computational Thinking
• Understand what aspects of a problem are amenable to computation
• Evaluate the match between computational tools and techniques and a problem
• Understand the limitations and power of computational tools and techniques
• Apply or adapt a computational tool or technique to a new use
• Recognize an opportunity to use computation in a new way
• Apply computational strategies such divide and conquer in any domain
Computational Thinking:
“Solving problems, designing systems, and understanding human behavior by drawing on
the concepts fundamental to computer science”
Computer Science
Computer Science
Computer Science
The scientific and mathematical approach to computation (and specifically: the design of computing machines and processes).
Input (data) Output (data)
Key terms:
• Computation
• Data (“Dataology”)
Quantitative & Qualitative
• Information
3 A’s:
Abstraction, Automation, Analysis
Abstraction
Abstraction
The process of generalizing from specific instances.
Abstraction
Capturing essential common characteristics
while discarding
unessential characteristics
Abstraction of computational process:
Algorithm
Caughtthought.com
Where’s Abstraction in the Computational Science Cycle?
Here it is!
Automation
Cookie factory
Where’s Automation in the Computational Science Cycle?
Here it is!
Analysis
Where’s Analysis in the Computational Science Cycle?
Here it is!
Categories of Analysis:
Verification: you have the right model
Validation: your model is accurate
NOAA/NESDIS
Lee, et al. 2011
ReferencesBarr, Stephenson (2011), “Bringing Computational Thinking to K-12”, ACM Inroads, March 2011
Cuny, Snyder, Wing, (2010), “Computational Thinking: A Definition”
Lee, et al. (2010), “Computational Thinking for Youth in Practice.”
MIT Open Courseware: “What does a computer scientist do?” (http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-00sc-introduction-to-computer-science-and-programming-spring-2011/unit-3/lecture-26-what-do-computer-scientists-do/#?w=535)