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01 - Computational Thinking (Intro)

 1. Computational thinking is the art of a human being able to think like a computer (e.g. in binary using 1s and 0s).
computationalthinking_image1.jpg

  False

  True

 2. Computational thinking is a ….

  way of thinking with numbers as opposed to with words

  way of thinking about a problem to understand it and then logically working out a good solution

  way of computing things in binary and not the alphabet

  way of computing big numbers and adding them up faster than a computer would

 3. There are generally speaking four elements of computational thinking. What are they?
Elements of Computational Thinking
==================================
1. Decomposition
2. Pattern recognition
3. Abstraction
4. Algorithmic thinking
5. Binary number conversion
6. Addition
7. Subtraction

  1,3,5,7

  3,4,5,6

  1,2,3,4

  1,4,5,6

 4. Read the excerpt on computational thinking (from Barefoot Computing) and see if you agree.
For example, if you’re going to make an animation, you need to start
by planning the story and how you’ll shoot it before you can use 
computer hardware and software to help you get the work done. The 
thinking that is undertaken before starting work on a computer is 
known as computational thinking.

  False

  True

 5. Computational thinking is not thinking about computers or like computers. Computers don’t think for themselves. Not yet, at least!

  FALSE

  TRUE

 6. Why is computational thinking so important?
Computer scientists are interested in finding the most ____________way 
to solve problems. They want to find the best solution that solves a 
problem correctly in the fastest way and using the least amount of 
resources (time/space).

  radical

  tiring

  efficient

  time consuming

 7. Read the alternative definition of the stages in computational thinking and fill in the blanks.
Elements of Computational Thinking
==================================
Another characterisation of computational thinking is a process 
based on three stages:

A___________: problem formulation (leaving out the irrelevant details);
Automation: solution expression; and
Analysis: solution execution and evaluation.

  Abortion

  Abstraction

  Absailing

  Abduction

 8. Two important parts of computational thinking are: 1. Logically organizing and analyzing data and 2…...

  Comparing the problem to all the other problems in the entire world

  Breaking the problem down into smaller parts

  Taking the problem to combine it with other bigger problems

  Breaking the problem into bigger problems and parts

 9. Another definition of compuational thinking is as follows: The ____________ involved in formulating a problem and expressing its solution(s) in such a way that a computer—human or machine—can effectively carry it out

  thought process

  boolean gates

  binary arithmetic

  CPU logic

 10. If you have the time, feel free to watch this educator's guide to computational thinking. What is algorithm design?

  Developing binary arithmetic techniques to help the computer add up

  Developing the step by step instructions for solving this and similar problems

  There is no such thing

  Developing fast techniques to add two numbers together