The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) have collaborated to define the concept of Computational Thinking (CT) as 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
- Automating solutions through algorithmic thinking (a series of ordered steps)
- 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
- Confidence in dealing with complexity
- Persistence in working with difficult problems
- Tolerance for ambiguity
- The ability to deal with open ended problems
- The ability to communicate and work with others to achieve a common goal or solution
StarLogo TNG is The Next Generation of StarLogo modeling and simulation software. While this version holds true to the premise of StarLogo as a tool to create and understand simulations of complex systems, it also brings with it several advances—3D graphics and sound, a blocks-based programming interface, and keyboard input—that make it a great tool for programming educational video games.
Also, through a series of thought-provoking articles, we will also explore some of the major concepts in computer science, computer engineering and computational thinking through dialectic journals and class discussions, including the limits of computing, the quest for sentience and ethical issues relating to computing and robotics. Lectures or other activities related to other student topics of interest within these disciplines will be on an ad-hoc basis.