Week 2 & 4 - Computational Thinking and Problem Solving I

Computational Thinking

• Computational: Involving the calculation of answers,amounts, results( e.g., calculations, order)

• Thinking: The activity of using your mind to considersomething (e.g., reasoning, questioning)

• Competencies: Important skills that are needed to do a job(e.g., managerial competencies

Abstraction, Algorithms, Decomposition, Pattern Recognition

Abstraction

- Identifying and utilising the structure of concepts/main ideas

- Simplified things - identifies what is important without worrying too much about detail

- Allows us to manage the complexity of the context or content

e.g. MRT map - manages compexity of map & identify what’s important by simplifying mapping system

Decomposition

- Breaking down data, processes or problems into smaller and more manageable components to solve a problem

- Each subproblem can them be examined or solved individually, as they are simpler to work with, can be solved by different parties of analysis

- Natural way to solve problems

- AKA known as divide-and-conquer

- Forces to analyse problem from different aspects

e.g. Breaking down an essay (introduction, body, conclusion)

Pattern Recognition

- Is about observing patterns, trends and regularities in data

- Pattern is discernible regularity -> elements of pattern repeat in a predictable manner

- In computational thinking, pattern is spotted similarities and common differences between problems

- Involves finding similarities or patterns among small, decomposed problems, which can help problems more effectively, can use problem-solving solution wherever pattern exists

- More patterns, easier and quicker problem solving will be

e.g. Number sequences

Abstraction in Arts

- Symbols used ass a form of communication between past and present

Algorithms

• Step-by-step instruction to perform a specific task

• Each step clearly defined

• No confusion about what to do next

• Maximise learning while minimizing effort and resources

Algorithms in Legal Settings

- Process of creating a law

1. Introduce bill in parliament

2. Debating

3. Voting in Parliament

4. Presenting for President's approval

Decomposition (Piggy Bank)

Sort the coins first then count them

Pattern Recognition

- Pangea

-Phonics used to learn to pronounce new words by children & patterns and rules can be derived from spellings

Problem-solving process

• Cognitive process directed at achiving a goal when the problem solver does not initially know a solution method

• Aims ar reducing “distance” between problem’s initial state and goal state, until “distance” becomes zero

A/B Testing

• Hypothesis

• Methodology

• Metrics

• Trade-offs

• Impact