A Digital Age Skill for All

[space for presenters name, organization]

Who is in the audience?

I am working on
computational
thinking issues.

I want to learn
more about
computational
thinking.

I’m not sure about

computational
thinking.
 What is CT?

Critical Thinking + Computing Power =

Making Decisions and Innovate Solutions
Why has the NSF Prioritized CT?

The number of computer science graduates

declined 70% since the peak in 2001

There is a need to fill the skills gap to keep up

with technology innovation

To maintain global economic competitiveness

and national security
Why has CSTA and ISTE Prioritized CT?

To accomplish the following goals:

Prepare young learners to become
computational thinkers who understand
how to use today’s digital tools to help
solve tomorrow’s problems.

Help teachers envision the potential of

CT across all disciplines and be willing
to integrate CT in the classroom.
CT for All Students

The knowledge
and skills that
students need to
know and be able
to do by the time
they graduate
from secondary
school.
The CT Student
CT for All Teachers
All teachers are responsible for teaching skills,
practice, and assessment of CT.
CT for All Teachers
Most teachers already incorporate CT basics,
but may not know it.
CT for All Teachers
CT has a shared vocabulary that can be
highlighted in lessons from every discipline.
CT for All Teachers
CT is made up of foundational building blocks
of concepts, skills, and dispositions that get
more sophisticated as students get older.
CT for All Teachers
CT doesn’t necessarily require computers.
CT Operational Definition
CT Operational Definition
CT is a problem-solving process that includes
(but is not limited to) the following characteristics:

Formulating problems in a way that enables

us to use a computer and other tools to help
solve them

Logically organizing and analyzing data

Representing data through abstractions

such as models and simulations
CT Operational Definition
CT characteristics (cont.):

Automating solutions through algorithmic

thinking
Identifying, analyzing, and implementing
possible solutions with the goal of achieving
the most efficient and effective combination
of steps and resources
Generalizing and transferring this
problem-solving process to a wide variety
of problems
CT Operational Definition
Dispositions or attitudes that are essential
dimensions of CT:

Confidence in dealing with complexity

Persistence in working with difficult problems

Tolerance for ambiguity

CT Operational Definition
Dispositions or attitudes that are essential
dimensions of CT (cont.):

The ability to deal with open-ended problems

The ability to communicate and work with

others to achieve a common goal or solution
CT in the Classroom

Elementary school
Data collection
Algorithms
and procedures
CT in the Classroom

Middle school
Problem decomposition
CT in the Classroom
High school
Abstraction
CT Learning Experiences
CT Learning Experiences
CT Learning Experiences
CT Learning Experiences
CT Learning Experiences
CT Learning Experiences
CT Learning Experiences
Teachers Take Action!

Develop an understanding of CT

Highlight CT vocabulary, skills,

and dispositions in your lessons

Extend current activities

and lessons with CT

Engage and share with others

who are new to CT
School Leaders Take Action!

Use the CT Leadership Toolkit

Make a CT presentation to your colleagues

or at a conference

Connect CT to school improvement efforts

Support teachers who want to learn more

about CT
Take Action Now!

Provide feedback on the session, the

effectiveness of resources, and the kinds
of the resources you’d like to see
developed

Take the Understanding Computational

Thinking survey:

Online: www.iste.org/CT-Survey

By Paper
CT Resources

CT Teacher Resources and CT Leadership Toolkit

For free download at www.iste.org/computational-thinking
Coming Soon! CT database for links to research and other
teacher resources.
Thank you!

For more information, contact:

computational-thinking@iste.org
Or
http://csta.acm.org/Curriculum/sub/CompThinking.html
www.iste.org/computational-thinking