Candidly, I have not been enthusiastic about teaching “computational thinking” to kids. In nearly every case, computational thinking seemed to be a dodge intended to avoid computing, specifically computer programming.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n
(Sir Joshua Reynolds)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Programming is an incredibly powerful context for learning mathematics while engaged in being a mathematician. If mathematics is a way of making sense of the world, computing is a great way to make mathematics.<\/p>\n
Most of the examples of computational thinking I’ve come across seemed like a cross between “Computer Appreciation” and “Math Appreciation.” However, since smart people were taking “computational thinking” more seriously, I spent a great deal of time thinking about a legitimate case for it in the education of young people.<\/p>\n
Here it is…<\/p>\n
Computational thinking is useful when modeling a system or complex problem is possible, but the programming is too difficult.<\/h3>\n
Examples will be shared in other venues.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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