subtract two digits change a noun from singular to plural. Discussion Invite students to share and compare their flowchart examples. Discuss the decisions that needed to be made in each case. For example, when changing a noun from singular to plural, what decisions need to be made? Does the word end in 'y'? If yes … How do we know if the algorithm represented in the flowchart is correct? Explain that decision making is an important concept – choices are incorporated into a program, and computers follow these instructional pathways to deliver a desired outcome. Through discussion, ensure the students understand that computers follow instructional pathways and that these can be described using flowcharts or visual programming languages. Why is this relevant? Decisions are important within computational thinking. They allow actions to be changed, based on the input of data. This input could be: user-input, for example selecting an onscreen value or button, typing in an answer sensed from the immediate environment; for example, collected via a sensor on a robotic device that senses an obstacle and is programmed to avoid it. Algorithms are the step-by-step procedures required for solving a problem. Algorithms may be described either diagrammatically or in structured English. Flowcharts are often a good way of visualising algorithms and can be an effective way to teach the concept of ‘branching’. Branching involves making a decision between one of two or more actions, depending on sets of conditions and the data being inputted. This activity can be used to strengthen students' understanding of computer programming as a series of instructions that can change depending on different user inputs or conditions. The focus is on how computers follow instructional pathways, and these can be described using flowcharts or visual programming languages. Assessment Evaluate students understanding by assessing the completed flowcharts. Australian Curriculum alignment Technologies – Digital Technologies Define simple problems, and describe and follow a sequence of steps and decisions (algorithms) needed to solve them
subtract two digits change a noun from singular to plural. Discussion Invite students to share and compare their flowchart examples. Discuss the decisions that needed to be made in each case. For example, when changing a noun from singular to plural, what decisions need to be made? Does the word end in 'y'? If yes … How do we know if the algorithm represented in the flowchart is correct? Explain that decision making is an important concept – choices are incorporated into a program, and computers follow these instructional pathways to deliver a desired outcome. Through discussion, ensure the students understand that computers follow instructional pathways and that these can be described using flowcharts or visual programming languages. Why is this relevant? Decisions are important within computational thinking. They allow actions to be changed, based on the input of data. This input could be: user-input, for example selecting an onscreen value or button, typing in an answer sensed from the immediate environment; for example, collected via a sensor on a robotic device that senses an obstacle and is programmed to avoid it. Algorithms are the step-by-step procedures required for solving a problem. Algorithms may be described either diagrammatically or in structured English. Flowcharts are often a good way of visualising algorithms and can be an effective way to teach the concept of ‘branching’. Branching involves making a decision between one of two or more actions, depending on sets of conditions and the data being inputted. This activity can be used to strengthen students' understanding of computer programming as a series of instructions that can change depending on different user inputs or conditions. The focus is on how computers follow instructional pathways, and these can be described using flowcharts or visual programming languages. Assessment Evaluate students understanding by assessing the completed flowcharts. Australian Curriculum alignment Technologies – Digital Technologies Define simple problems, and describe and follow a sequence of steps and decisions (algorithms) needed to solve them
have-fun-with-flowcharts.docx