Computational Thinking to Solve Complex Problems

 Any difficulty can be solved using this approach by decomposing it into smaller, more manageable problems—a process known as decomposition.

Think about this preposterous issue: How would you consume an elephant? The response? Take it one bite at a time! This absurd comparison actually sheds a lot of light on the initial phase of computational thinking and issue solving. Smaller, simpler tasks or subproblems make up more significant, more complicated problems. Decomposition is the method or approach for analytically recognizing these smaller issues and figuring out how to employ the combined solutions to solve the more significant issue.

Decomposition

An analysis is a process of focusing on the various components of a situation. Synthesis, on the other hand, refers to rebuilding or concentrating on how the components come back together. When a problem is divided into smaller components, these components may be dealt with concurrently or in parallel. Parallelization is the process of organizing and working on numerous smaller tasks at once.

When you prepare several dishes simultaneously, you practice parallelization. These smaller components may need to be treated in a certain sequence or sequentially, depending on the problem.

Let's begin by looking at a graphic representation of decomposition. Here is a necklace composed of red, blue, and thread with various-priced beads in each color. Finding the overall cost of making this 24-inch necklace is the issue. Consider for a moment. How do you construct this issue? What details are you looking for?

You have probably already broken the problem down into smaller problems without even giving it any thought. The consideration of this problem leads us to the conclusion that the logical way to address the problem is to calculate the cost for each type of substance and then add those results together because the components all have various costs and are utilized in different amounts.

The parallelization of handling each of those smaller problems is an example. All across the course, we will use this necklace example to review each step of the computational mental process.

The above example's decomposition method is similar to how word problems were once resolved in math schools. It entails considering the problem's solution, converting it from a verbal to a numerical form, decomposing it rationally, and finally finding the answer.

Mathematical problems frequently use decomposition. Here is an illustration of a Common Core Math standard for the sixth grade that uses decomposition. The examples that follow demonstrate how decomposition may function for various additional types of real-world, everyday issues that aren't quantified.

For instance:

• Developing an app If you're not a computer programmer, creating an app could seem like a daunting task. However, by thinking about what their app will accomplish, how it will look, how the user will navigate the screens, and how much it will cost, anyone can use the degradation rate to design an app.
• When preparing a paper for an English class, you must first outline, or divide your topic into logical sections. Whenever asked to examine a poem, you must consider not only the poem's overall content but also its meter, rhyme, imagery, structure, voice, and diction. As you can see, the ability to decompose problems is essential for finding solutions to complex issues. Although the concept of decomposition is fairly straightforward, since each issue will have unique variables, decomposition must be approached in a variety of ways.

How is a bicycle operated?

One can comprehend how the more sophisticated machine functions by dissecting a bicycle into its individual parts and their purposes (such as gears, chains, pedals, and brakes) and studying how each one performs separately first, followed by together. An automobile, a boat, or an aircraft all operate similarly.

How does the human body function? It's a tremendously complex question, but when we study the human body, we concentrate on each system individually—the respiration, circulation, gastrointestinal, skeleton, and muscle mass then consider how they work together.

What transpired at a site of a crime?

Police and detectives take great care to examine the entire crime scene, but they also follow certain protocols for thoroughly examining every detail (blood splatter, body placement, fingerprinting, fibers, and other hints) in order to piece together the most possible explanation for what happened.

For students to learn how to use this skill independently and integrate it into their thought process, they must practice breaking down issues that are getting more complicated. In small groups or individually, students should be in charge of their own education rather than just being given examples of decomposition.

When writing music, musicians consider the sections of the song as they are creating it. Different instruments play a variety of purposes. While others supply the lyric or melody, some people provide the bass rhythm. Together, all the components form a whole.

Start off extremely simple when teaching pupils the concept of breaking down an issue, like how to brush your teeth. The objective is to identify the elements involved in issue resolution rather than to enumerate the methods for brushing your teeth. For instance,

What equipment and supplies are you going to utilize to brush your teeth?

• Whether time will it take you to brush your teeth and how? Along with this post, links are provided to a number of excellent existing activities that can be used in the classroom to strengthen decomposition, research, synthesizing, and parallel computing skills.

Here, a few are introduced. These exercises are supposed to be difficult. either alone or with others in smaller groupings. Because each problem is unique, students will improve at using the skill the more they are exposed to various ways of thinking about decomposition. Additionally, keep in mind that there is sometimes more than one correct method for breaking down a problem. Be honest and upfront about the pupils' cognitive processes.

• Students can see where they might have made a mistake after clicking "go" since the steps are marked as they are carried out. This gives students the opportunity to experiment with the game at this point in the course. Mention how it maintains track of the steps and how this is an instance of issue decomposition. The first few levels will probably be simple for students as they get a feel for the program, but as the difficulty of the route rises with each level, they will likely find the deconstructed stages to be quite helpful as they are challenged. Later in the program, we'll go back to the Bee-Bot.
• Bee-Bot is a straightforward game that can help very young kids begin to grasp programming. Bee-Bot, albeit designed for younger children than those in middle and high school, can be used as a visual aid to demonstrate and exercise decomposition. To move the bee from its starting place to the blossom in the Bee-Bot game, use the arrow keys to enter movement directions. The Bee-Bot can memorize and carry out a succession of several instructions, but it can only carry out one at a time. The steps that the student adds are listed at the top of the screen as they are added, breaking down their overall set of instructions.
• A possibility for both evaluation and synthesis in decomposition is provided by the exercise Appearance by Number: Image Representation. Students fill in squares on graph paper using simple instructions to create a recognizable image, which is an example of synthesis. Students then break down a specific template into squares and write instructions for their peers.
• A much more effective form of decomposition is to divide the room in half and inquire as to whether the individual holding the token is wearing a blue shirt or not. You'll be able to tell which part of the room the token is buried in with just one question. You might divide the proper side of the area in half once more with your second query, and so on, till you locate the token—it won't take long! To fully grasp the idea of divide and conquer, students should practice finding the token in pairs.

The method used here is comparable to how computer pixels operate. Divide and Conquer—Looking for the Token on Google A new approach of decomposition called "divide and conquer" can greatly simplify a challenging issue. Through the use of strategic yes/no questions, it is possible to eliminate up to half of the problem's complexity. Students hide a token of some kind in one of their pockets or desks during the activity Searching for the Token. After then, in order to determine who has the token, the instructor asks yes-or-no questions.

Next, Microlearning Strategy

Microlearning is a technique for learning using brief, self-contained chunks of digital content. We can use brief informational snippets when and where we need them.

As opposed to hour-long courses and training seminars, online learning comprises short lessons that swiftly teach us anything that is concrete without interfering with our work or overloading us with knowledge.

Why are micro lessons a good idea?

According to psychologist George Miller, the brain can only hold five to nine pieces of information before forgetting them or committing them to long-term memory. Shorter lessons make sense because of this.

How does microlearning appear?

Although a clip is frequently used, the format might also be a knowledge sheet, an infographic, a presentation, a chatbot, or any digital or mobile format. However, the functionality of microlearning is more important than its format: to respond to a specific query. Microlearning is popular because it is in line with how we currently choose to absorb information in both business and education.

We take out our phones when we have an issue and use Google to find quick solutions. This is how we also wish to learn.

Is microlearning a genuinely new thing?

Reduced down learning pieces aren't new. It's generally called gradual learning. What's happening is that this reliable way to deal with learning is applied to the computerized world, where a large portion of us have a telephone or tablet, and many review or work from home.

Microlearning's ubiquity is likewise on the ascent since we experience a period crunch. We don't feel like we possess the energy for preparing. In spite of the fact that we truly do know it means a lot to our professions and lives to remain sharp and master new abilities. Thus, microlearning turns into an answer, where we can press in a 5-minute learning meeting in the middle of between different errands.

All in all, how to apply microlearning?

To function admirably by and by, microlearning should be accessible on request (don't bother booking a period or plan ahead), accessible (it's insufficient with classification pages or tables of items), adaptable (accessible at whatever point and any place) and valuable in itself (no requirement for a more drawn out course and extra supporting material to grasp the example.)

It's an instance of microlearning.

Finally, You requested it now, so you looked for it, likely watched it on your telephone and it's an independent piece of content - not a piece of some course.

Presently, you know what microlearning is.