Computational Thinking

Cornell Tech

Computational Thinking is a framework for applying intentional thinking to problem solving where students cultivate skills, attitudes and habits that are fundamental, universal, and transferable across content areas and applicable in the real world.

Cornell Tech partners with us to help us deliver instructional tasks that allow our student to use this framework. Over the years, our in-residence teacher from Cornell Tech has collaborated with our staff members to to develop lessons in computer science, math, and ELA. that incorporate CT concepts and approaches.

Computational Thinking Concepts

When I am solving a problem, here are some Thinking Skills I can use:

Logic Predicting & Analyzing	Evaluation Making judgements	Algorithms Making steps and rules	Patterns Spotting & using similarities	Decomposition Breaking down into parts	Abstraction Removing unnecessary detail
Use the facts to make a predictions.	Does is answer the question? Can I explain? Is there another way?	Write the steps Follow the steps	Spot and use similarities to other problems Spot and use similarities inside the problem Create rules	Break down the problem into smaller parts Try to solve on part at a time	Pull out the most important idea Remove the distracting details Make a model

Logic

Predicting & Analyzing

Evaluation

Making judgements

Algorithms

Making steps and rules

Patterns

Spotting & using similarities

Decomposition

Breaking down into parts

Abstraction

Removing unnecessary detail

Logic Icon

Use the facts to make a predictions.

Does is answer the question?
Can I explain?
Is there another way?

Algorithms Icon

Write the steps
Follow the steps

Patterns Icon

Spot and use similarities to other problems
Spot and use similarities inside the problem
Create rules

Decomposition Icon

Break down the problem into smaller parts
Try to solve on part at a time

Abstraction Icon

Pull out the most important idea
Remove the distracting details
Make a model

Computational Thinking Approaches

When I am STUCK, here is what I can do:

Persevering Keeping going	Collaborating Working together	Tinkering Changing things to see what happens	Creating Designing & making	Debugging Finding & Fixing Errors
Stick to it Try something new Don't erase-think about how to use your mistake Think about a strategy you can use	Help your partner Ask questions Give feedback to your partner Listen and use feedback	Take time to explore ideas Act it out Use manipulatives Try it a different way	Make a model Draw a picture Make an organized list	Reread the task Look for patterns Try one piece at a time