Monday, 29 June 2009

Developing Algorithmic Thinking(Alice as a case study)

www.sju.edu

The concept of Algorithmic thinking is used in Alice to get the reguired outcome as it is used in every basic program.Alice as must have known already is a 3-dimensional animation tool as i have recorded from "programming with Alice".

An Algorithm is a method to solve a problem that consist of exactly defined instructions. Algorithmic thinking therefore is the ability of a person to construct and understand Algorithms.Its starts from the Ability to analyze the given problem,specify the problem precisely,find the basic actions that are adequate or useful in solving the problem,you should as well be able to to think about all possible cases either normal or specific to get the problem solved,and finally at the end write out a correct algorithm to solving the problem.

Most times times students find it difficult ti think in an algorithmic pattern or way even though unknowingly its is in them. What i have found out is that the student(a kid or some one already in collegde) needs to develop his way of thinking and at the end he would realize that its all in him/her all along. For kids developing their algorithmic thinking if i may put it that way,is a very easy since its always easier to teach kids because when they understand it never leaves them. It is always easier when the student or kid is showed;
1) How to identify a problem
2) How to break down the problem
3) Hence the problem is broken down,a step by step approach to the different task would make
the over all task easier.

I take the subject of Algorithmic thinking as a very important one because,it makes the idea of programming a more friendly subject since the student does notbsee a very big problem but small chunks or bits of task to be done.







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