The Workshop in Advancing Computation Thinking (CT) via Scenario-Based Learning (SBL) taught a new way to think and apply to teaching based on the experience of a two-year research grant project in Information Technology (IT) funded by the NSF CPATH grant (NSF CCF 0939089).
During this two-day intensive workshop, twelve Munster high school and middle school teachers as well as two Munster administrators and one Gary high school teacher learned and practiced how to teach computational thinking through the use of scenario based learning techniques.
Computational thinking (CT) is a problem-solving process that includes (but is not limited to) the formulating problems in a way that enables one to use a computer and other tools to help solve them. In addition we process logically to organize and analyze data. We then represent data through abstractions such as models and simulations and automate solutions through algorithmic thinking (a series of ordered steps), and identify, analyze, and implement possible solutions with the goal of achieving the most efficient and effective combination of steps and resources.
In Scenario Based Learning, we do not define the exact details of the problem. This requires the student to clarify the details of the problem. If the problem is uniquely defined then only a unique (same) solution will be solved by all of the students. The SBL method requires a subject matter expert (SME) to interact with the students to help clarify and define the problem. In this way each student has the ability to uniquely solve the problem, not to cookie sheet the solution. Teaching using SBL has the instructor acting more as a resource and not as a “talking head” at the front of the class.
Students need a special set of thinking skills to work to define the problem. We define this as Computation Thinking. Computational Thinking is paired with Scenario-Based Learning as a technique to teach the workshop participants how to better prepare their students to be able to use computers in different ways as they problem solve in various disciplines.