Computational Thinking and Robotics: What's It All About?

What Is Computational Thinking?

Computational Thinking is a thinking process, either by a human or machine, which analyzes a situation or problem in smaller pieces of data or information, allowing for the understanding and creation of a systematic solution to a problem. The process involves thought out strategies involving four key steps which are (a) decomposition; (b) pattern recognition; (c) abstraction; and (d) algorithm design (Computational Thinking in K-12 Education, 2018). Decomposition is one of the four steps in the Computational Thinking process focusing on the “breaking down data, processes, or problems into smaller, manageable parts” (Computational Thinking for Educators, n.d.). Pattern Recognition is one of the four steps in the Computational Thinking process focusing on “observing patterns, trends, and regularities in data” and creates a visual representation or display of information or data with recognizable similarities within a specific problem (Computational Thinking for Educators, n.d.). Abstraction is one of the four steps in the Computational Thinking process. Abstraction acts as the core and beginning step toward the breakdown of a problem by “identifying the general principles that generate these patterns” (Computational Thinking for Educators, n.d.). Algorithm Design is one of the four steps in the Computational Thinking process of “developing the step by step instructions for solving…problems” (Computational Thinking for Educators, n.d.).

Infusing and applying CT practical applications and framework leads the way to energized classroom activities crafting and including soft skills and a different mindset for each leaner. The soft skills are: (a) creativity; (b) collaboration; (c) critical thinking; and (d) communication; and (e) teamwork. Beside the contours of solving real-world problems, students’ engagement, interactivity, and passion are part of the active learners’ mindset, which absorbs new and innovative methods of digital literacy education. “Computational thinking is the new literacy of the 21^st Century” (Wing, 2010, p. 3) and defines CT as “the thought processes involved in formulating a problem and expressing its solution(s) in such a way that a computer-human or machine-can effectively carry out” (p. 8). With the direction of CT expanding into other educational fields, Wing (2017) redefined and adjusted her description to include the deeper thought process as “mental activity in formulating a problem to admit a computational solution” and can be carried out by a human or machine (p. 8).