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Le Moyne College Summer Math Academy

Dive into Computational Thinking & Related Tools at Le Moyne College Summer Math Academy. Explore concepts, tools, and resources for problem-solving and systems design. Discover innovative technologies to boost productivity and knowledge.

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Le Moyne College Summer Math Academy

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  1. Le Moyne College Summer Math Academy August 2007 Computational Thinking & Related Tools

  2. Computational Thinking & Related Tools • NYS Standard 5 – Technology • Engineering Design • “… an iterative process involving modeling and optimization …” • Tools, Resources, and Technological Processes • “… should be selected on the basis of safety, cost, availability, appropriateness, and environmental impact; …” • Computer Technology • “… have greatly increased human productivity and knowledge.”

  3. Agenda • Computational Thinking • What is it? • Tools • Computer Science Unplugged • Alice • Scratch • Office suite

  4. Computational Thinking • Jeannette M. Wing, 2006, “Computational Thinking”, Communications of the ACM, 49(3), 33-35. • What is computational thinking? • Solving problems • Designing systems • Understanding human behavior “To reading, writing, and arithmetic, we should add computational thinking to every child’s analytical ability.”

  5. Computational Thinking(cont’d) • Characteristics? • Conceptualizing, not programming • Fundamental, not rote skill • A way that humans, not computers, think • Complements and combines mathematical and engineering thinking • Ideas, not artifacts • For everyone, everywhere

  6. Tools to promote Computational Thinking • Computer Science Unplugged • Provide teachers with activities to learn computer science concepts • Activities do not use a computer! • Designed for ages 7 and up • From University of Canterbury • http://unplugged.canterbury.ac.nz • Discuss: • Free book (teacher instructions and materials) • Sample Exercises: • Count the Dots – binary numbers • Colour by Numbers - image representation

  7. Tools to promote Computational Thinking (cont’d) • Alice v2.0 • A 3D authoring system • Focus: • Provide best possible first exposure to programming for students • Designed for middle school to college students • From Carnegie Mellon University • http://www.alice.org • Do: • Tutorial 1 (10 minutes) • Tutorial 2 (15 minutes)

  8. Tools to promote Computational Thinking (cont’d) • Scratch • A new programming language • Focus: • Make it easy to create interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art • Share your creations via www • Designed for ages 8 and up • From MIT • http://scratch.mit.edu/ • Do: • Intro Video tutorial (5 minutes) • Image Effects tutorial (3 minutes)

  9. Tools to promote Computational Thinking (cont’d) • Office suites • Typically include: • word processing, spreadsheet, presentation • database (optional) • Microsoft Office • Mucho dinero! • OpenOffice • A free office suite for Windows operating systems • See www.openoffice.org • NeoOffice • A free office suite for Mac OS X operating systems • See www.neooffice.org

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