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Critical Thinking in Computer Science

Learn the methodical approach to problem-solving in computer science, assess and draw conclusions effectively. This seminar guides through five steps to enhance critical thinking skills in formulating and analyzing issues. Discover how to differentiate levels of understanding and communicate conclusions convincingly.

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Critical Thinking in Computer Science

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  1. Critical Thinking in Computer Science CS 495: Computer Science Seminar

  2. What does it mean to “Think Critically”? In Computer Science, “Thinking Critically” is a methodical way to approach the problem solving process. There are five steps in thinking critically (FRACC): Formulate the issue Consider the Relevant Backgroundof the issue Analyze, or Assessthe issue with appropriate evidence Draw Conclusions Effectively Communicate your conclusions

  3. How Can you Tell if You Are Thinking Critically About an Issue? We assess each of the five areas on a scale of 1 to 4: Emerging (Lowest level of understanding) Growing Developing Mastering (Highest level of understanding)

  4. An Example Issue: Suppose that you are given the following topic: • Show that the IPhone by Apple is a superior platform to develop software for, when compared to Android by Google.

  5. Formulating the Issue: What is the question or thesis? Emerging Formulation: Iphone rocks! Growing Formulation: Iphone rocks, because Apple is cool and Android stinks! Developing Formulation: The iPhone is easier to develop apps for, because it is easy to develop for other Apple products, and Apple makes both Macs and iPhones. Mastering Formulation: The iPhone has a superior development environment because it includes better quality tools that make writing high-quality applications easier than in the Android environment.

  6. Considering the Background Emerging Understanding of Background: Apple has cooler products than Google. Growing Understanding of Background: I heard a developer on the internet say that the it is hard to write apps for Android. Developing Understanding of Background: We need to figure out for ourselves which platform is easier to develop for. Mastering Understanding: Ease of development is a complex problem. We need to define exactly what we mean by “easier to develop software for”, and then come up with a reasonable way to measure this concept.

  7. Analyze or Assess the Issue with Appropriate Evidence Emerging Analysis or Assessment: The iPhone is more popular with the hipsters, so it must be easier to develop for. Growing Analysis or Assessment: I developed an app for Android and I didn’t like doing it. Developing Analysis or Assessment: I developed a game for the iPhone and an editor for Android and I kind of felt like the iPhone environment was maybe better. Mastering Analysis or Assessment: I developed a simple game for both platforms. The two games were identical. I tracked the total number of hours required to develop the game, and the total number of bugs found in the beta version of each game.

  8. Draw Conclusions Emerging Conclusion: The iPhone is awesome so its environment must be awesome. Yo! Growing Conclusion: The iPhone is the best environment because developing for the Android was hard work. Developing Conclusion: The iPhone is the best environment because it was easier for me to develop in. Mastering Conclusion: Because of the smaller number of hours required to write the software, and a smaller number of bugs in the resulting software, the iPhone is an easier platform to write for, when compared to Android.

  9. Communicate Your Conclusions Emerging Conclusion: It stinks! Growing Conclusion: Android stinks and the iPhone is legendary. Developing Conclusion: My personal preference was for the iPhone environment because I felt it was a better development environment. Mastering Conclusion: The following chart shows time spent developing, and the total bugs in the apps, resulting from writing software for the two respective smart phones:

  10. iPhone Development vs. Android Development: Time Spent and Bugs Encountered

  11. Conclusion The iPhone is a superior environment in which to develop software, when compared with Google’s Android environment.

  12. Lest You Think This is Not An Important Topic …

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