The machine in the human

Niveditha Purushothaman

The ability to analyze a problem, discover patterns and invent a relevant solution from pre-existing knowledge of a similar kind of problem, is not new to the human race. The burning question we need to ask ourselves is – do we formulate solutions for problems with sufficient clarity and structure, such that a machine, like a computer, knows how to execute it?

Why we need computational thinking?
There is a common misconception that computational thinking is related to computers and programming, but in true essence, it is an evolved form of a human being’s thinking and problem-solving ability. This misconception has led to the delay in introducing computational thinking as an ability rather than a tool at the school level. Today, the responsibility rests on the shoulders of educators, to inculcate and develop fundamentals of computational thinking in the minds of the next generation.

We are progressing towards an age where there is minimal need for software engineers who can write low-level programs in languages that can handle loops and declarations. What we need instead are people who will be able to think computationally and arrive at solutions that can be executed by computers to solve the world’s problems.

Computational thinking inside classrooms
Every teacher’s genuine concern would be, “How do I fit in computational thinking in the available time frame?” Fortunately, it is not to be added to the curriculum, but rather integrated with the curriculum. Computational thinking provides a framework that makes things more transparent and easy to understand. Each of us likes to apply what we have learned in one class to another, but it doesn’t happen all that often. With computational thinking, we can bring alive these cross-connections and thus enable learners to apply their thinking to real-life situations.

Pitching computers into the classroom is not the most effective way to teach computational thinking. The best way is to create opportunities for the students by integrating it into the curriculum. Asking this key question – will a computer understand this solution? – when problem solving, is the first step to developing the ability and skills to leverage your computational thinking abilities.

Interestingly, computational thinking can support problem solving across all disciplines and curriculums, including math, science, arts and sports. Computational thinking combined with the ability of the computers can bring the thinking process alive. In every one of these areas there are very powerful and very clarifying solutions that can be executed with computation and computational thinking.

The author is a Teach for India alumnus and currently works at Chrysalis as a curriculum and content developer. She can be reached at niveditha.purush@gmail.com.