Classroom Resource

Computer Science Discoveries Unit 1 Chapter 1 Lesson 3: Exploring Problem Solving

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

6, 7, 8

Overview

In this lesson, the class applies the problem-solving process to three different problems: a word search, a seating arrangement for a birthday party, and planning a trip. The problems grow increasingly complex and poorly defined to highlight how the problem-solving process is particularly helpful when tackling these types of problems.

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Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 6

DLCS18.6.30

Discuss and apply the components of the problem-solving process.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.6.30

Vocabulary

  • problem-solving process

Knowledge

Students know:
  • when solving problems, one should identify the problem, identify possible solutions, evaluate to select a best solution, implement the solution, evaluate the solution and/or seek feedback.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • identify a problem.
  • identify possible solutions.
  • evaluate to select a best solution.
  • implement a solution.
  • evaluate a solution.
  • seek feedback.
  • revise an artifact based on feedback.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • problem-solving is a process that can take multiple iterations.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 6

DLCS18.6.6

Identify steps in developing solutions to complex problems using computational thinking.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.6.6

Vocabulary

  • computational thinking

Knowledge

Students know:
  • how to define the problem.
  • how to plan solutions.
  • how to implement a plan.
  • how to reflect on the results and process.
  • how to iterate through the process again.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • identify the steps involved with formulating problems and solutions in a way that can be represented or carried with or without a computer.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • computational thinking is formulating problems and solutions in a way that can be represented or carried out with or without a computer.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 7

DLCS18.7.30

Apply the problem-solving process to solve real-world problems.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.7.30

Vocabulary

  • problem-solving process

Knowledge

Students know:
  • the steps to the problem-solving process.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • select and dissect a problem.
  • seek solutions.
  • select a best alternative.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • often there are multiple solutions to real
  • world problems.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 7

DLCS18.7.5

Solve a complex problem using computational thinking.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.7.5

Vocabulary

  • computational thinking

Knowledge

Students know:
  • smaller tasks are easier to solve than complex problems.
  • that trends in data can also speed up the problem-solving process.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • abstract portions of the problem and focus on smaller tasks to aid in solving a complex problem.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • complex problems can be overwhelming.
  • by decomposing the complex problem into simpler problems, a solution is easier to reach.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 8

DLCS18.8.5

Discuss the efficiency of an algorithm or technology used to solve complex problems.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.8.5

Knowledge

Students know:
  • that many solutions exist to solve a problem.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • communicate their opinion on the efficiency of problem solving methods.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • while many solutions exist for a problem, some are better suited to meet specific needs, such as efficiency.
Link to Resource
https://studio.code.org/s/csd1-2018/stage/3/puzzle/1

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

Code.org
Accessibility
License

License Type

Custom

Custom License Type (URL)

https://code.org/tos

Approved Date

aimeebates
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