QSITE 2014 Computational Thinking: A 4 Step Process

1. QSITE 2014Computational Thinking:A 4 Step Process Paul HerringSt Peters Lutheran College Brisbane, Queensland

2. Our worldview needs to change

3. Back to the Future: My sites • http://computationalthinkingk12.wordpress.com • http://www.scoop.it/t/computational-thinking-in-digital-technologies • My main sites for Computational THinking

4. What do all these domains of knowledge or endeavour have in common? - a recent phenomenon but which is transformational? • Biology • Chemistry • Physics • Astronomy • Neurological Science • Engineering • Architecture • Geology • Mathematics • Economics • The Arts • Social Sciences • Medicine • Law • Entertainment • Games • Sports • Languages • Education • ++

5. “Every era demands--and rewards--different skills. In different times and different places, we have taught our children to grow vegetables, build a house, forge a sword or blow a delicate glass, bake bread, create a soufflé, write a story or shoot hoops. Now we are teaching them to code. We are teaching them to code, however, not so much as an end in itself but because our world has morphed: We need to teach coding to help our students craft their future.”- https://www.edsurge.com/guide/teaching-kids-to-code Computational Thinking – the 4th R Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic & Computational Thinking

6. Computational Thinking – the 4thR Ultimately, what is needed is a shift in mindsets, so that people begin to see coding not only as a pathway to good jobs, but as a new form of expression and a new context for learning. - Mitchel Resnick • “Fast forward to 2020. What job skill must you have? • What we do know is, for the foreseeable future, coding is one of the most important and desirable skills there is, no matter how it evolves.” - http://mashable.com/2013/04/30/job-skill-future-coding/

7. “Positioning coders as artists, and programming as painting, students can be taught the skills and given the encouragement to produce individual work, enabling them to see the personal benefit and reward. We must encourage Britain’s young people to innovate and aspire to coding careers, with the same aspiration that people pursue the dream of becoming a footballer.” • DJ Adams - Enterprise Architect & Open Source Programmer Coding is the new black

8. A growing awareness of the impact of Computational Thinking- 3 Game Changers: • fabrication (3D printing); • physical computing (robotics); • programming - ground swell of coding See Gary Stager - http://www.inventtolearn.com/about-the-book/ My humble opinion is that if we work with our young people to develop their skills in innovation, design and "needs" analysis in combination with computational thinking skills then we are facilitating the development of a generation of visionaries and problem solvers not just "code monkeys". Danielle Neale - Serial Entrepreneur | Innovation Consultant Computational Thinking – the 4th R

9. Computational Thinking – the 4th R These is a potential tsunami coming • of needed change; • of lack of qualifications; • of serious redefinition of some of what we teach, not just how we teach.

10. Computational thinking encompasses • logical thinking, • precision, • rigour & • creativity • Those last two terms are not what some people might put together, but there is a lot of creativity in what some folk class as a science, and others, like me, class as a craft” • “With computational thinking skills a person can better get to grips with problems, find solutions, be creative and find expression – all at the same time. • And it gives them a fighting chance of not just surviving, but blossoming in the data tsunami that is brewing under the covers of the everyday world.” - Pat Nice, CEO, open source and cloud provider Reconnix

11. “Computational thinking will be a fundamental skill used by everyone in the world. To reading, writing, and arithmetic, let’s add computational thinking to every child's analytical ability. Computational thinking is an approach to solving problems, building systems, and understanding human behavior that draws on the power and limits of computing.” Prof. Jeannette M. Wing

12. Hour of Code Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKIu9yen5nc

13. "Computational Thinking is a fundamental analytical skill that everyone, not just computer scientists, can use to help solve problems, design systems, and understand human behavior. As such, ... computational thinking is comparable to the mathematical, linguistic, and logical reasoning that is taught to all children. What is Computational Thinking?

14. This view mirrors the growing recognition that computational thinking (and not just computation) has begun to influence and shape thinking in many disciplines - Earth sciences, biology, and statistics, for example. Moreover, computational thinking is likely to benefit not only other scientists but also everyone else • bankers, stockbrokers, lawyers, car mechanics, salespeople, health care professionals, artists, and so on.“ from the preface of COMPUTATIONAL THINKING - REPORT OF A WORKSHOP ON THE SCOPE AND NATURE OF COMPUTATIONAL THINKING - (c) National Academy of Sciences.

15. "Computational Thinking is the thought processes involved in formulating problems and their solutions so that the solutions are represented in a form that can be effectively carried out by an information-processing agent.“ - Cuny, Snyder, Wing “Computer science is having a revolutionary impact on scientific research and discovery. Simply put, it is nearly impossible to do scholarly research in any scientific or engineering discipline without an ability to think computationally. What is Computational Thinking?

16. Computational Thinking enables any explorer to manipulate, build/modify as needed, a dynamic computational model with; sufficient power to re-compute and re-visualize the model with; appropriate controls and access to expertise to help interpret and understand the model. The impact of computing extends far beyond science, however, affecting all aspects of our lives. To flourish in today's world, everyone needs computational thinking.“ • Center for Computational Thinking at Carnegie Mellon University Computational Thinking – the 4thR

17. Computational Thinking is a problem-solving process that includes (but is not limited to)  the following characteristics: Formulating problems in a way that enables us to use a computer and other tools to help solve them. Logically organizing and analyzing data Representing data through abstractions such as models and simulations Automating solutions through algorithmic thinking (a series of ordered steps) Identifying, analyzing, and implementing possible solutions with the goal of achieving the most efficient and effective combination of steps and resources Generalizing and transferring this problem solving process to a wide variety of problems Computational Thinking - a problem-solving process

18. As a 4 Step Process: • Posing the right question = Computational Thinking • Real world -> modelling or technical formulation = Design & Algorithmic Thinking • Computation = Programming/Coding • Verification =Testing

19. The 4 Step Process expanded - Scientifically

20. The question – can’t read the sign The question – which avocado Practical Examples:

21. Scan materials or physical objects. Get instant relevant information to your smartphone. Food, medicine, plants, and more The world's first affordable molecular sensor that fits in the palm of your hand.  SCiO is a tiny spectrometer and allows you to get instant relevant information about the chemical make-up of just about anything around you, sent directly to your smartphone. SCiO is based on the age-old near-IR spectroscopy method. SCiO communicates the spectrum to your smartphone app via Bluetooth, which in turn forwards it to a cloud-based service. Advanced algorithms analyze the spectrum and within seconds deliver information regarding the analyzed sample back to the smartphone to be presented in real time to the user. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fVvb3jjGVQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrtGSEwfIJY Practical Examples: SCiO

22. Parked Cars Supermarket Queues Tour Itinerary Theatre Seating Diagram Social Media Feed Algorithms Back-on-Track GPS Algorithm School Wireless Coverage Practical Examples - Scenarios

23. Understand which 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 as divide and conquer in any domain. Computational Thinking means being able to:

24. Ask good questions Hardest part is understanding/characterising the problem Two standard approaches here: • Ask someone else • Look for a similar problem you already know how to solve What makes problems similar? • Similar information + computations

25. Conrad Wolfram argues that Mathematics Education today should involve the same problem solving process:His steps are: Posing the right question  – of a real world problem/issue Real world -> math formulation  – that is, state the problem in terms of its mathematics components Computation – solve the mathematics models & formulas involved Verification  – implement the solutions into the original real world situation to verify their ‘correctness’, effectiveness, etc. Mathematics & the 4 Step Process:

26. The skill that is in great demand today, and will continue to grow, is the ability to take a novel problem, possibly not well-defined, and likely not having a single “right” answer, and make progress on it, in some cases (but not all!) “solving” it (whatever that turns out to mean). The problems we need mathematics for today come in a messy, real-world context, and part of making progress is to figure out just what you need from that context. I have had as students (in his Mooc’s), engineers with years of experience who suddenly found themselves out of a job when their employers replaced them with software systems (or sometimes overseas outsource services). Those engineers are now having to retool to learn this other skill of creative problem solving –mathematical thinking. Kevin Devlin & Mathematical Thinking

27. How many different uses for the GPS device thatcomes with your smartphone can you imagine? How many do you think exist right now – that is how many distinctly different uses. There are many Car Navigation apps on the market, but what about other uses? How many you can come up with? Next Slide for a starting list The Power of the Mobile

28. Normal car/bike/walk navigation track mileage for reimbursement flight log book mashup between a to-do list and GPS tracks your phone, so if you get lost share your location details with friends amenities nearby Google Maps Golf Runkeeper Speedo Altimeter Family Locator is the most reliable and accurate family locator & children safety app. Family Locator app lets your family be in touch and stay connected with your friends anytime. Find the value of Taximeter Truck Fleet management location like Google Earth emergency road side assistance Track your luggage, laptops, pets and anything of importance - need unit in collar GPS games - eg. GeoCache, a global GPS based treasure-hunt Freight Tracking But/and still need better s/w! • Navman- parked next to chapel • - "190m from a school zone' - clearly could be better! Some GPS Apps:

30. touchscreen accelerometer gyroscope camera compass, barometer Magnetometer Proximity Sensor Orientation Sensor Infra-red sensor Bluetooth NFC Force Sensor Ultra-sonic sensors RFID IR Spectroscopy etc...???? The Power of the Mobile – Add ons

31. incorporates 3D printing and ultrasonic tech to make healing a broken bone more bearable. A 3D Printed Cast That Can Heal Your Bones 40-80% Faster

32. Computational Thinking In Primary Schools Creating Computationally-generated, Physical Artifacts Computational Thinking Through Music Car Racing Teach Algebra Via Computational Thinking And Coding Computational Thinking – A Problem Solving Tool For Every Classroom Modeling in Biology Using Computational Thinking CT in Other Disciplines:

33. Ian Jukes:“Our education system is not broken, just obsolete” Creative workforce jobs • facilitated by technology and are therefore much less likely to be negatively impacted by the changes brought about by • outsourcing, • off-shoring & • automation. • Check out my Blog post here The importance of Computational Thinking in Education: Disruptive Innovation

34. 3 anticipated skills of a worker in 2014: • Teamwork2. Problem solving3. Interpersonal skills • “The world doesn't care what you know, it only cares what you can do with what you know! • Long life skills such as creativity, interpersonal skills, critical thinking and problem solving will be the key to success.” • Connectivity is transforming knowledge. We live in the age of Info-whelm. • Students are now our clients. They have many options for learning - Are we offering them a valuable and competitive product? • For the digital generation the world is one great big social network. • Mobile devices will transform learning experience. • Big data is here to stay. Radical personalization of learning is on the way.

35. Top 10 Works Skills in 2020

36. Disruptive Innovation @ Uni level:

37. Learning Analytics:

38. The Learner is in control – able to rewind/pace... Uni of Utah:

39. Career Growth STEM= Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

40. Degrees vs Jobs STEM= Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

41. Degrees vsJobs – USA Stats http://code.org/stats

42. Degrees vsJobs – USA Stats http://code.org/stats

43. (based on global energy consumption trends): • Comeback of governments • Digitization • The Internet of things, • Automation everywhere, and • Intelligent alarming • Everything as a service • Sustainability • Geographical shift • Augmented reality, • eg. Central QldUniuses augmented reality to coach train drivers • Wearable devices, and • Home automation. - Simon Fuller and Michael Postula, Schneider-Electric (ACS Seminar: Brisbane 21 August) CT & the Top 5 Megatrends

44. Smart cities A safer world A simpler world An emerging world A world of service A greener world The three principal ramifications of these trends are: • Business model disruption • Competencies and skill sets of your people • Segmentation - end-user solutions - customized and personalized - Simon Fuller and Michael Postula, Schneider-Electric (ACS Seminar: Brisbane 21 August) CT & the Top Megatrends

45. Students: Code for Mobile Apps; Games Design; Computational Biology Cryptography & Encryption algorithmic design Big Data algorithms Augmented Reality development Gesture Based Apps: - Leap Motion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d6KuiuteIA “This is why using games as an example is so powerful: If you tell students that they’ll learn how to create a video game, they won’t focus on the math, or the skills they have to learn to get there. They’re going to focus on what they need to do to make the games. If the goal is exciting enough, the steps to get there cease to be serious barriers.” • Les Miller, Professor of Computer Science at Iowa State University Create not consume:

46. 21st Century Fluency Project: Problem Solving Creativity Analytical Thinking Collaboration Communication Ethics, Action, Accountability - from ‘Literacy is Not enough’ – Lee Crockett, Ian Jukes & Andrew Churches These are long term goals – are our students developing these skills; are they mandated in the curriculum? What skills will students most need to succeed in the 21st century?

47. ‘The one thing that I wish I had known about computer science (and programming more generally) earlier is that it is a profoundly creative and interdisciplinary pursuit. What you choose to apply your problem-solving to is something that demands great ingenuity in how one transforms patterns of the physical world into a digital distillation. Coding is a process of both synthesis and genesis; not only is it guided by rules and syntax, but also something you create from scratch (like you would with a painting or a novel).’ • Jasmine TsaiSoftware Engineer, Hackbright Academy Profoundly Creative

48. Ultimately, the most effective motivators are autonomy • (the ability to chart your own course), mastery • (the ability to become an expert at something), and purpose • (the idea that what you are doing serves a purpose larger than yourself). • Dan Pink – see Ted Talk 2009 Computational Thinking as a discipline/approach to problem solving can offer all three of these motivators Autonomy, mastery, and purpose

49. Computational Thinking is now being recognized as vital to our students and our world’s future progress. Computational Thinking needs to be a core part of the curriculum in our schools It is time to recognize that value of this 4 Step Process of Computational Thinking and, begin to integrate it into the curriculum, in particular from Middle School to Junior High and then as Senior syllabi are re-written, the core role that Computational Thinking can play needs to be factored in. The 4 Step Process

50. Computational Thinking: A 4 Step Process: • Posing the right question = Computational Thinking • Real world -> modelling or technical formulation = Design & Algorithmic Thinking • Computation = Programming/Coding • Verification =Testing