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Unplugged CT

Unplugged Computational Thinking

"Computational thinking is a thought process (or a human thinking skill) that uses analytic and algorithmic approaches to formulate, analyse and solve problems." LCCS specification (2017)

Activities to learn how to think computationally without using a computer are known as unplugged activities. There is much evidence that appropriate use of unplugged pedagogical techniques can be very effective and motivational for the learner. (Waite, J. (2017) Pedagogy in teaching Computer Science in school: A Literature Review)
Most of the following activities and CT puzzles appear in appropriate sections within Programming Concepts. Some activities, such as lessons on unplugged sorting algorithms or graded CT puzzles, only appear in this section. They are formative, and in many cases fun and engaging. All of these tasks and challenges address many Learning Outcomes on Computational Thinking, Abstraction and Algorithms in the LCCS specification.
 
Resource   Type ID  Description of resource

Unplugged Lessons, Activities and Puzzles
Introduction to CT Challenges  zip 4 CTpuzzles. Extract, launch the html, solve the puzzles, brainstorm and store your solutions. CT-Challenge-logo-(1).png
Graded CT puzzles pptx   

A set of CT puzzles and some systematic problem solving approaches, with embedded lesson plan and LOs. CT-Challenge-logo-(1).png

Bubble Sort Lesson

Insertion Sort Lesson

pptx

pptx

An active unplugged.png activity to sort people or things. A CT Fairytale on bullies and Bubble sort.

An active unplugged.png activity to sort people or things. A CT Fairytale on tailors and Insertion sort.

Watch a video explaining insertion sort, that also codes it in Python and compares runtime complexities of various sorting algorithms.

Robot Shapes 

End of game

Ageist Jumpers

Traffic Jam

3 Phones 2 Chargers

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Which pseudo code does not work? Best acted out in class. unplugged.png

How many hurler handshakes? Best acted out with smaller numbers in class. unplugged.png

The solution is given. What ways could you arrive at the solution? unplugged.png

Turn a traffic graph into a traffic grid. unplugged.png

3 phones with no charge and only 2 chargers at home. See Graded CT Puzzles for solutions. unplugged.png
A simple look at marriage

pdf

 A classic puzzle requiring CT skills. With a systematic solution. Try acting out scenarios in class as an unplugged.png activity.

Tourist Agency

 

Dublin City Turtle Tour

zip

 

zip

Based on a TES resource, bring your systematic problem solving skills together to solve the Knight's tour and the underground zombie walk, amongst others.

Download the Python program that solves the Dublin City Tour problem from the Graded CT Puzzles lesson above.  (uses recursive definitions)
Bebras International 2014 pdf Puzzles and solutions from beginners to advanced. It's how you solve it!
Bebras International 2015 pdf Puzzles and solutions from beginners to advanced. It's how you solve it!
Bebras International 2016 pdf Puzzles and solutions from beginners to advanced. It's how you solve it!