Certiport - Computational Thinking

Curriculum

CertiPort Computational Thinking

1. Foundational Concepts

1.1 Understand and recognize different types of data (ISTE 3B, 5B)

• Understand and recognize structured and unstructured data

• Understand and recognize different types of data such as text, numeric, data/time, image, and audio • Understand and recognize data encoding (ascii, binary, character mapping)

1.2 Recognize and apply logical reasoning (ISTE 3A, 5B)

• Recognize and apply Boolean and logical operators

• Recognize and apply inductive reasoning

• Recognize ambiguity in a logical reasoning problem

• Recognize and apply deductive reasoning

1.3 Explain algorithmic thinking (ISTE 5A, 5D)

• Explain the purpose of algorithmic thinking

• Understand the purpose of abstraction and model building

• Understand the purpose and capabilities of automation

2. Identify and Collect Data

2.1 Assess data needs and available data (ISTE 3B, 5B, 5C)

• Identify the data needed to solve a problem

• Assess relevance of existing data sets

• Determine the gap between existing data and data needs

2.2 Understand data quality (ISTE 3B, 5B)

• Understand validity

• Understand reliability

• Explain data cleaning in data sets

2.3 Collect the data needed to solve a problem (ISTE 1D, 2B, 3B, 3C, 5B)

• Collect relevant data using existing data sources

• Including selection of appropriate tools to gather, analyze, and process data

• Including retrieval of information from a data source, such as a list, a table, an infographic, etc.

• Choose a method for creating original data sets such as an observation or a survey

• Including input-validation methods

• Explain the legal and ethical dimensions of data collection

3. Apply Abstraction

3.1 Identify patterns in and apply abstraction to data (ISTE 5A, 5B, 5C)

• Identify patterns in data

• Organize data using models such as tables, charts, and graphs

• Sort and filter data by relevant criteria • Identify similarities, differences, and subsets in a data set

• Make predictions by examining patterns

3.2 Recognize, create and interpret abstract models (ISTE 5C, 5D)

• Recognize an abstract representation, such as a model, variable, function, or procedure

• Create an abstract model to understand complex systems or facilitate problem solving

• Interpret a process flow diagram

4. Specify a Solution

4.1 Define and decompose a problem (ISTE 4B, 5A, 5C)

• Identify an appropriate problem statement based on information provided

• Define the scope and limitations of a problem

• Identify decisionmakers, collaborators, and target audience

• Break down a problem into component parts by using decomposition

4.2 Identify requirements (ISTE 4A, 4B, 6A)

• Select a design process, such as iterative or incremental

• Identify prerequisites for a solution • Identify the possible outcomes of a solution

• Choose appropriate tools to develop a solution, such as flow charts, spreadsheets, pseudocode, surveys

5. Automate a Solution

5.1 Use a sequence of steps in algorithms (ISTE 5B, 5D)

• Create a sequence of steps

• Evaluate the outcome of a sequence of steps

• Recognize when to combine steps into re-usable procedures and functions

5.2 Automate repetitive tasks by using iteration (ISTE 5D)

• Recognize when to use iteration

• Including when to use nested loops

• Determine the outcome of an algorithm that uses iteration

• Create an algorithm that uses iteration

5.3 Use selection statements in algorithms (ISTE 5D)

• Recognize when to use selection statements

• Including when to use nesting in selection statements

• Determine the outcome of an algorithm that uses selection statements

• Create an algorithm that uses selection statements

5.4 Use variables in algorithms (ISTE 5D)

• Recognize when to use variables

• Determine the outcome of an algorithm that uses variables

• Create an algorithm that uses variables

6. Present and Improve a Solution

6.1 Produce a computational artifact to present a solution to a target audience (ISTE 6A, 6C, 6D)

• Choose an effective medium for communicating a solution to a target audience

• Including video, flow diagram, pdf, html prototype, chart, infographic, diagram, graph

• Create an original computational artifact to communicate a solution to a target audience

6.2 Collaborate on computational artifacts (ISTE 1C, 7B)

• Interpret a design for a computational artifact

• Critique and provide feedback on a design for a computational artifact

• Incorporate collaborative feedback into a computational artifact

6.3 Perform iterative design on an automated solution (ISTE 1D, 4C, 5C, 5D)

• Create a prototype to evaluate the effectiveness of an automated solution

• Compare the efficiency of multiple possible solutions

• Troubleshoot an automated solution

• Use iterative testing to improve an automated solution