Computational Thinking

Objectives

1. To know, in a historical perspective, the main models and limits of computing.

2. To understand computational thinking as a contemporary extension of literacy and arithmetic skills, and use it to solve problems with algorithmic solutions.

3. To use the support concepts of computational thinking in the development of digital technologies and software development.

Program

1. Computer Science

2. Decomposition and abstraction

3. Algorithms and patterns

4. Data representation

5. Modeling

6. Correction and testing

7. Concurrency and parallelism

Teaching Methodologies

The theoretical classes are expository in which ideas and concepts are presented and examples and demonstrations are discussed, using texts, images and videos. The laboratory classes, which work together with the theoretical classes, are aimed to debate and presentation and discussion of educational practices and experiences, mainly in a school environment, related to the topics introduced in the theoretical classes. Students, in groups, prepare and present seminars or projects on at least 3 different themes, aligned with the learning objectives that, preferably, result from experiences and practices in an educational context, which are intended for their formative assessment and summative. The summative assessment consists of conducting an individual seminar or project, supported by a written report, which addresses a subject that is transversal to the learning content. The Moodle e-Learning platform (at http://moodle.uac.pt) is used as a repository of pedagogical and didactic material to support learning, as well as a platform for scheduling, disseminating, and promoting complementary activities and management of the assessment elements.

Bibliography

Brookshear, J. G. & Brylow, D. (2019). Computer Science: An overview (Thirteenth Edition): Pearson.

Denning, P. J. & Tedre, M. (2019). Computationl Thinking (Second Edition): MIT Press.

Riley, D. D. & Hunt, K. A. (2014). Computational Thinking for the Modern Problem Solver: Chapman & Hall/CRC.

Walker, H. M. (2012). The Tao of Computing (Second Edition): Chapman & Hall/CRC.

Schneider, G. M. & Gersting, J. (2018). Invitation to Computer Science (Eighteen Edition): Course Technology.

Sedgewick, R. & Wayne, K. (2016). Computer Science: An interdisciplinary approach: Addison Wesley.