Computers are a priority at every school, workplace and home. We are using them for every little purpose as it gives us quick outcomes and makes the process easier. A computer is, in short, our problem solver. Nevertheless, before you can handle an issue, you have to know about the problem and then its solution. Understanding is very important before solving the solution, or else the solution can be useless. Computational Thinking (CT) enables us to look at a complex issue, understand the issue and create a possible and useful solution. Then we can present these solutions to the problem in a method that a human, computer or both can understand. A complex issue is one that, at an initial glance, is not easy to understand, plus taking out its solution is also troublesome.
Computational Thinking incorporates taking that complex issue and breaking it into smaller and easier parts. So that we can look at it one by one, it involves two processes: pattern recognition, where we focus on every little detail, and the second is abstract, where we abstract the irrelevant details. The next step will be designing the smaller solution of the small steps called algorithms. When people hear about Computational Thinking, they immediately assume that it would be about coding and the other aspects of coding in computer science. At the same time, it is the reality that the computer scientist and coders CT regularly. It is also a reality that the students, including those at the elementary school level, can gain a lot of advantages from computational Thinking methods and practices in every sector of academic life.
According to Barefoot computing, there are six computational thinking concepts: evaluation, patterns, logic, abstraction, and decomposition. Moreover, there are five methods of computational Thinking they are persevering. Creating. Collaboration and tinkering. From the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), The performance expectation 5-LS1–1 demonstrate that the students of grade five should be capable of assisting a debate that plants obtain the Tools they require for growth, chiefly from water and air. Therefore, as a teacher asks the fifth graders what the resources a plant will need to survive and grow are? The fifth graders indulge in the procedure of carrying out and planning out an investigation that will be the response to the question. So they will apply some methods and concepts of computational Thinking, including these:
- Algorithms: the students create a process of their investigation and determine the stages they require to obtain and the order that has to occur in the procedure.
- Logic: before the students start working on the investigation, they must predict the plant seeds to survive and grow. To make informed predictions, students will use the previous learning and contact with the plant’s life.
Like this, students use other methods and concepts of CT.
Integrating Computational Thinking (CT) in elementary schools
Students love the change in learning, and it helps them engage in learning. Assignment writing service available for students online help students in different ways; it is why students love to use them. As it is something different students focus better on learning and creative tools which are available to us is making work and education easier for us, it is nothing alien technology is all we hope for in the future. Educational systems can enhance learning for students and teachers by including Computational Thinking in the curriculum. The technology expert at the Old Bonhomme Elementary in St. Louis, Missouri, Patricia Brown, uses her position and role to support the elementary school tutors with coding, CT and Computer Science lectures to students.
Moreover, she is applying this plan in the content sector involving Science, social studies and Mathematics with device-enables and unplugged lessons. The usefulness of this plan is many as we already know how much technology is changing our lives. Computational Thinking, computer science and coding in elementary schools are bringing up curios and interests plus playful students who become the producers and creators of the future and will have ease in finding employment. Instead of using robots, students will do problem-solving on their own. The unplugged teachings that depend on employed together to resolve a problem are an excellent method to convey Computer Science concepts and handle the Mathematics syllabus such as Algorithms.
Coming up with the fundamental coding to the subject, Science syllabus on a theme such as States of the matter, it is easier with a source such as Ozobot. They are miniature robots that are colour delicate; when the pupils make a line, they will do various tricks relying on the colours and patterns of the lines. Learners utilize Ozobot click-type coding and colour-code markers to lead the robot by various states of matter at a good pace. Patricia Brown introduces the students to design the instruments utilizing the Makey Makey and Scratch, such as making a piano; learners will utilize Scuff to programme the notes utilizing space bar plus arrow keys. They will attach the Makey Makey alligator clips to a daily object or tool. Introducing
In a Nut Shell Computational Thinking in Elementary schools and other educational systems is very easy, and it will help the learners achieve the objectives in their academics. Teachers can also use it to make the lessons easier and more engaging for their students. The development that CT will bring in education can be easy to predict as it has so many options for the students and increases their curiosity towards the lessons. It is a new way in the new world full of technology. We are in the twenty-first century, and a lot has changed, plus it is still changing. With the fast-moving world, students have to be fast to face the challenges they have to prepare today, and for that, educational systems have to change the method of learning. Students in elementary school will learn more through the new ways than the students with the old way of learning. They will find more things to search for and bring out more creativity.