ALEX Classroom Resource

  

Sorting Networks

  Classroom Resource Information  

Title:

 Sorting Networks

URL:

 https://classic.csunplugged.org/sorting-networks/

Content Source:

 Other
CS Unplugged
Type: Learning Activity

Overview:

To make computers go faster, it can be a lot more effective to have several slower computers working on a problem than a single fast one. This raises questions about how much of the computation can be done at the same time.

Here we use a fun team activity to demonstrate an approach to parallel sorting. It can be done on paper, but we like to get students to do it on a large scale, running from node to node in the network.

Content Standard(s):
Digital Literacy and Computer Science
DLIT (2018)
Grade: 2
2) Create an algorithm for other learners to follow.

Examples: Unplugged coding activities, illustrate sequence of a process such as baking a cake.

Unpacked Content
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • will develop a sequence of events related to a task that others can follow.
Teacher Vocabulary:
  • sequence
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • the sequence of events for a tasks are important.
  • sequence of events may be read and interpreted by other people or machines.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • develop a sequence of events for a task that others can follow.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • a task can be broken down into a sequence of smaller events or steps.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science
DLIT (2018)
Grade: 3
5) Create an algorithm to solve a problem as a collaborative team.

Examples: Move a character/robot/person through a maze. List steps to build a sandwich.

Unpacked Content
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students will:
  • create an algortihm.
  • work collaboratively.
  • solve a problem or complete a task with the algortihm.
Teacher Vocabulary:
  • algorithm
  • collaborative
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • an algorithm can be used to solve a problem or complete a task.
  • the steps in creating an algortihm as a collaborative team.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • work as a collaborative team to create a problem-solving algorithm.
  • list steps in solving a problem.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • algorithms are used to solve problems or complete a task in a step-by-step process.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science
DLIT (2018)
Grade: 4
4) Detect and debug logical errors in various basic algorithms.

Example: Trace the path of a set of directions to determine success or failure.

Unpacked Content
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students will:
  • examine basic algorithms and determine where errors may exist.
Teacher Vocabulary:
  • detect
  • debug
  • logical
  • errors
  • algorithms
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • strategies to detect logical errors in various basic algorithms.
  • strategies to debug or repair logical errors in various basic algorithms.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • detect and debug logical errors in various basic algorithms.
Understanding:
Students understand:
  • how to detect and debug logical errors in various basic algorithms.
  • strategies to detect and debug logical errors in various basic algorithms.
    		•
    Digital Literacy and Computer Science
    DLIT (2018)
    Grade: 4
    5) Use flowcharts to create a plan or algorithm.

    Unpacked Content
    Evidence Of Student Attainment:
    Students will:
    • use flowcharts to create a plan or algorithm.
    Teacher Vocabulary:
    • flowchart
    • plan
    • algorithm
    Knowledge:
    Students know:
    • flowcharts are used in creating plan or algorithm.
    • strategies to use flowcharts to create a plan or algorithm.
    Skills:
    Students are able to:
    • use flowcharts to create a plan or algorithm.
    • explain how flowcharts help in creating a plan or algorithm.
    Understanding:
    Students understand that:
    • flowcharts are used in creating plan or algorithm.
    • flowcharts help to visualize a plan or algorithm.
    Digital Literacy and Computer Science
    DLIT (2018)
    Grade: 5
    2) Create an algorithm to solve a problem while detecting and debugging logical errors within the algorithm.

    Examples: Program the movement of a character, robot, or person through a maze.
    Define a variable that can be changed or updated.

    Unpacked Content
    Evidence Of Student Attainment:
    Students will:
    • create an algorithm to solve a problem.
    • detect and debug logical errors within an algorithm.
    Teacher Vocabulary:
    • algorithm
    • debug
    • detect
    • logical errors
    Knowledge:
    Students know:
    • an algorithm is a logical set of steps to solve a problem.
    • detecting and debugging logical errors within an algorithm will ensure the algorithm serves to solve a problem successfully.
    Skills:
    Students are able to:
    • create an algorithm to solve a problem while detecting and debugging logical errors within the algorithm.
    Understanding:
    Students understand that:
    • debugging an algorithm is searching for logical errors within the algorithm.
    • an algorithm is a set of steps to solve a problem.
    • how to create an algorithm to solve a problem while detecting and debugging logical errors within the algorithm.
    Digital Literacy and Computer Science
    DLIT (2018)
    Grade: 5
    3) Create an algorithm that is defined by simple pseudocode.

    Unpacked Content
    Evidence Of Student Attainment:
    Students will:
    • create set of steps that is written in simple pseudocode.
    Teacher Vocabulary:
    • algorithm
    • pseudocode
    Knowledge:
    Students know:
    • simple pseudocode resembles language used to communicate with computers.
    Skills:
    Students are able to:
    • create an algorithm that is written in simple pseudocode.
    Understanding:
    Students understand that:
    • an algorithm that is written in simple pseudocode is similar to an algorithm written using a programming language.
    Tags: algorithm, compare, network, order, problem solving, sort
    License Type: Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
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      This resource provided by:  
    Author: Aimee Bates