Computational Thinking

In our increasingly digitized world, it is important that everyone, in addition to reading, writing, and arithmetic, can also think computationally. Computational thinking is about the ability to solve problems using a computer.

When you think computationally, you think about the steps needed to arrive at a solution to a specific problem, after which you set the computer to work on solving the problem using your technical knowledge.

In the Classroom

We demonstrate how computational thinking can be integrated meaningfully and from practical contexts into the curriculum. This extends to subjects in technical and scientific directions, as well as within language and human sciences. Our innovative learning materials are intertwined with the existing 'AI at School' curriculum, which addresses computational thinking in the first, second, and third grades, each within various contexts. Here, we focus on a multidisciplinary approach with attention to the impact of new technologies on our rapidly changing society.

For Everyone

Because computational thinking strongly focuses on problem-solving skills, it can be addressed in any existing subject in regular education. It involves problems for which the solution is often easier obtained with the help of a computer.

With and Without Computer

Through programming lessons, you can put many concepts of computational thinking into practice. However, you can also learn a lot about computational thinking without a computer. There are many interesting unplugged activities possible for this purpose.

Professional Development

With this project, we help teacher trainers and secondary school teachers get started through a flexible, online learning trajectory with concrete teaching materials integrated into STEM projects. We also provide insights on how to translate computational thinking into the specific context of their own study direction.

Content

The professionalization of teachers deserves attention because they are often insufficiently trained in the concepts of and possible approaches to, didactics, and evaluation for computational thinking. An overview of all learning paths can be found at the end of the learning path 'Importance of Computational Thinking'

New Terminology

It is important to familiarize teachers with the terminology so that they can recognize aspects of computational thinking in their own teaching materials, and their confidence to teach about computational thinking grows. To this end, there is a need for a wide range of high-quality teaching materials that we try to meet.

Scientific Research

Research is still ongoing on how computational thinking is best addressed in education. Here we try to give you a guide to get started, while we follow up on the findings.

Learning Paths

Below you will find a wide range of learning paths. Topics range from 'Definition and Focus Points' to 'History' and even 'End Goals and Minimum Objectives'

Congres

In 2023 we organized a conference on computational thinking. Here you will find the presentations back.

Learning paths

No learning paths could be found with your preferences.

Files

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Concepts and Approach to Computational Thinking Download poster
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Explaining Four Concepts of Computational Thinking Download Presentation on four concepts of computational thinking: decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithm. You can download the PDF, open it, present it using CTRL-L, and navigate with the arrow keys.
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Concepts and Principles Download Overview
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Unplugged Activity - Emotion Machine (Assignment) Download How can you stimulate emotions in a robot?
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Unplugged Activity - Emotion Machine Download How can you stimulate emotions in a robot?
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Unplugged Activity - Color by Number Download Images can be represented in many ways. In this color by number puzzle, you have to reconstruct an image using the given list of numbers; this list tells you which color to fill in each square ('pixel').
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Unplugged Activity - Human Computer Network Download In this activity, students learn how data transfer over the Internet works. Computers, smartphones, and other devices connected via the Internet can communicate with each other. To understand each other, this communication must follow certain agreements. We call these agreements a protocol.
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Unplugged Activity - Compression Download To send images over networks, we want to represent information with as little data as possible. Compression comes into play here. Using algorithms, images are represented with as few numbers as possible, but in a way that you can still recover the original figure. Other algorithms restore the original image when the information reaches its destination.
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Unplugged Activity - Program a Human Download Computers cannot interpret, so they literally execute every instruction you give them. The programmer's challenge is to solve problems by breaking them down into small steps that the computer can execute and giving the instructions to the computer correctly.
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Unplugged Activity - Search for Speech Download Locked-in syndrome is one of the worst medical conditions. You are completely paralyzed, except that you may still be able to blink with one eye. Your intelligent mind is trapped in a useless body: you can feel everything but cannot communicate. It can happen to anyone, out of nowhere, as a result of a stroke. If you wanted to help people with locked-in syndrome, would you be better off as a doctor or nurse? Or can you help as a computer scientist?
The teaching material is made available under the terms of a Creative Commons BY-SA license.

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