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.
Unplugged Lessons, Activities and Puzzles
| Resource | Type ID | Description of resource |
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| Introduction to CT Challenges | zip | 4 CTpuzzles. Extract, launch the html, solve the puzzles, brainstorm and store your solutions. .png?width=30&height=30 "CT-Challenge-logo"){kind=logo} |
| Graded CT puzzles | pptx |
A set of CT puzzles and some systematic problem solving approaches, with embedded lesson plan and LOs. |
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pptx pptx |
An active An active Watch a video explaining insertion sort, that also codes it in Python and compares runtime complexities of various sorting algorithms. |
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png png png png png |
Which pseudo code does not work? Best acted out in class. How many hurler handshakes? Best acted out with smaller numbers in class. The solution is given. What ways could you arrive at the solution? Turn a traffic graph into a traffic grid. 3 phones with no charge and only 2 chargers at home. See Graded CT Puzzles for solutions. |
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| A simple look at marriage |
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A classic puzzle requiring CT skills. With a systematic solution. Try acting out scenarios in class as an  activity. |
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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. |
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| Bebras International 2014 | Puzzles and solutions from beginners to advanced. It's how you solve it! | |
| Bebras International 2015 | Puzzles and solutions from beginners to advanced. It's how you solve it! | |
| Bebras International 2016 | Puzzles and solutions from beginners to advanced. It's how you solve it! |
(uses recursive definitions)