February 18, 2020

## Key parts of computational thinking

Decomposition
breaking down a complex problem or system into smaller parts
Pattern Recognition
looking for similarities among and within problems
Abstraction
focusing on the important parts only, ignoring irrelevant detail
Algorithms
developing a step-by-step solution to the problem

## Decomposition

• Split a big problem into small parts
• Using only a small set of words
• Understand what is happening

## Animate the letters of your name

• Make a letter change color when you click it.
• Choose a letter from the Sprite Library.
• Choose a backdrop.
• Make a letter turn when you click it.
• Make a letter get bigger and then smaller.
• Make a letter glide smoothly from place to place.

## Data Elements

We store data in variables

These elements allow us to do things to variables

• Set variable
• Change variable

## Control elements

• Repeat N times

• Repeat until …

• If … then …

• If … then … else …

## Logical Operators

Notice that TRUE/FALSE blocks have a particular shape

Comparing two values always gives either TRUE or FALSE

## Boolean Operators

George Boole (1815–1864) was an English mathematician, educator, philosopher and logician. He is best known as the author of The Laws of Thought which contains Boolean algebra.

## Boolean Operators

They have diamond shape: logic

Question: How do they work?

## Exercise: Make a cartoon

### Try these in any order:

• Say Something
• Fly Around
• Go Right and Left
• Go Up and Down
• Change Costumes
• Glide from Here to There
• Grow and Shrink
• Change Backdrops