Computational Thinking:

A Problem-Solving Tool for

Every Classroom

Pat Phillips
We do not acquire technical skills simply from
the use of technology any more than
engineering skills evolve from using
automobiles or aeronautical engineering skills
from flying.

Robert Tinker, Alvaro Galvis, and Andrew Zucker

The Concord Consortium
Our Plans
What is computational thinking?
Why is it important to think about?
How might it different from what we do now?
How can it enhance learning for students?
What can happen in your classroom to
implement computational thinking strategies?
Opportunities to share throughout
Something to consider

The type of thinking required by citizens for

successful participation in a society is related to
the raw products available and the production
processes being used to solve problems.
Industrial Activity
Knowing about physical things and thinking
about making/combining materials into new
things.

Terms you are likely familiar with:

• Assembly-line processes
• Automation
• JIT—Just In Time processing
• CAD/CAM
Information Technology
Knowing how to apply technology to locate
and use information to solve problems

Terms we have become familiar with:

• Telecommunications
• Networks
• WYSIWYG
Beyond Information Technology
Knowing about data and ideas and
using/combining these resources to solve
problems.
Move students beyond using tools and
information to creating tools and information
The raw materials require thought processes
about manipulating data, using abstractions,
computational thinking.
What is Computational Thinking?
Asking: What is the power and limit of human
and computer intelligence?
Asking: How difficult is the problem?
Asking: How can it be solved?
Asking: How can technology be applied to the
problem?
Asking: What computational strategies might
be employed?
What it’s not…
It’s not just more technical details for using
software
It’s not thinking like a computer
It’s not programming (necessarily)
It doesn’t always require a computer
It’s not yet one more thing to add to your
curriculum
How is it different from other
learning strategies?
Not just procedural

Not just constructionist

Not just integrated

Why is it important?
It moves students beyond technology literacy
It creates problem solvers instead of software
technicians
It emphasizes creating knowledge rather than
using information
It presents endless possibilities for creatively
solving problems
It enhances the problem-solving techniques
you already teach
What is happening in the World?
“Computational” has become part of
Math and statistics
Every Science
Biology
Physics
Nanotechnology
Chemistry
Economics
Arts and recreation
Engineering and design
What has been accomplished?
Computational
Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Computer Science
Law
Economics
Aeronautics
Education
It fits with the ISTE NETS
Teachers apply technology to develop
students’ higher order skills and creativity.
(III)
Students use productivity tools to collaborate
in constructing technology enhanced models,
prepare publications, and produce other
creative works. (4)
Students employ technology in the
development of strategies for solving
problems in the real world. (6)
Computational Thinking Concepts
Algorithm—the kingpin term

Data—variables, data bases, Queue

Abstraction—conceptualizing, modularizing

Query—search, conditionals, Boolean

Sensing & Feedback—robotics

Iterations—loops, recursion
So what can happen in my
classroom?
Computer science/technology
Math
Science
Social studies
Language arts
Fine arts
Other subjects?
Other situations?
Show me some real examples
Analyzing data

Simulations

Modeling

Data manipulation

Digital manipulatives & illustrators

Flight Simulator X

An opportunity for computational thinking

with a simulation
Concepts useful for teaching
Add to your own ICT knowledge.
Help students to learn uses of ICT to represent
and help solve problems within the various
disciplines.
Help students gain some underlying and/or
introductory knowledge of computer science.
Use terms associated with computing in
everyday activities.
Ask lots of ICT questions; encourage students
to ask lots of questions and plan strategies to
solve them.
Resources
Computational Thinking Jeanette Wing, CMU
Beginner Developer Learning Center
Bit & Bytes and Kids Corner, Microsoft
LifeLong Kindergarten Mitch Resnick, MIT
Great Principles of Computing Peter Denning,
Naval Postgraduate School
Thank you
Jeannette Wing Carnegie Mellon
Mitch Resnick MIT
Peter Denning Naval Postgraduate School
 © 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.