Computational Thinking for Problem Solving

The word computational is a word that comes from the Latin word computàre, which means “to count”. Therefore, computational thinking is to think like a computer. In other words, computational thinking is the ability to break problems down into smaller parts that can then be analyzed and summarized. In a nutshell, computational thinking is a new way of thinking that is becoming increasingly important as the amount of available data grows. 

How To Develop Computational Thinking Skills

Well, the concept of computational skills is breaking complex problems down into simpler steps and then using algorithms, flowcharts, or other techniques to solve the problem. The concept is not new. However, until recently few people had thought about teaching it to high school students. One person who did was Seymour Papert, who argued that children need to learn programming in the same way that they need to learn mathematics, history, or any other subject. You can develop computational thinking skills by playing with some cool programs which develop these skills in kids like Code Master or Kodable. They are a fun and interactive way to learn computer programming and develop computational thinking skills. With Kodable, children (5-8 yr old) can learn to code and master computational thinking concepts. This game teaches children to think like a computer as they learn powerful concepts like sequencing, conditionals, loops, functions and events.

4 Stages Of Computational Thinking

The four stages of computational thinking: decomposition, logical or structural pattern recognition, abstraction, and logical problem-solving algorithms.

  • Decomposition

We’re always amazed at how people manage to make such complex problems seem so easy. A good example of an approach we follow when faced with difficult tasks is breaking them down into manageable chunks. Just like in baking, you need to cut your big issue up into smaller pieces before moving onto a full course bake!

  • Logical Or Structural Pattern Recognition

Pattern recognition is the ability to extract information from images, videos, or sounds. It is a very common intelligence used by both humans and animals. Pattern Recognition is very similar to human intelligence. It is the ability to analyze images, sounds, or patterns and then to use this information to understand and anticipate some certain events. For example, you may have seen a dog with a ball. The dog is playing with the ball. If you give him a little bit of food, he will immediately go towards the ball. This is a pattern recognition that the dog has learned at some point. He is able to remember the shape of the ball and how it moves and how he plays with it. This ability of the dog is the same with the pattern recognition that we use in our everyday life.

  • Abstraction

Abstraction is the process of simplifying a complex concept into a basic model. We abstract when we have trouble understanding something that’s too big or complicated, but we can still get the main idea. Abstraction allows us to focus on what is important in a problem, and ignore what is secondary. We humans learn to perform abstraction through practice and training. We can think of abstraction as the process of creating a simplified model of something that is too complicated to understand.

  • Logical Problem Solving Algorithms

Logical Problem Solving is a technique used to solve issues.  Logical Problem Solving is used to solve a problem logically by using a sequence of reasoning. Logical Problem Solving is one of the most powerful thinking tools used in business. It is the use of non-emotional thinking tools to solve problems. It is a methodical approach to solving problems by identifying the root cause and using objective facts. You have to identify the problem, analyze it and then come up with a solution. A logical problem solving model is you identify the problem, analyze the problem, define the problem and then recommend a solution.