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Learning Resource Type

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

    CR Resource Type

    Lesson/Unit Plan

    Resource Provider

    Code.org
    Accessibility
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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