Computational Thinking Thinking Abstractly Thinking Ahead Thinking Procedurally Thinking Logically Thinking Concurrently

Thinking Abstractly The nature of abstraction Abstraction can be a difficult concept to first get your head around. There are various definitions which all follow a similar theme: “An abstract or general idea or term.” “The act of considering something as a general quality or characteristic, apart from concrete realities, specific objects, or actual instances.” “An impractical idea; something visionary and unrealistic.” “A work of art, especially a nonrepresentational one” In pairs come up with a Computer Science definition for abstraction. Be prepared to share it with the class.

Abstraction and Computer Science The process of separating ideas from specific instances of those ideas at work. Computational structures are defined by their meanings, while hiding away the details of how they work. Abstraction tries to factor out details from a common pattern so that programmers can work close to the level of human thoughts, leaving out details which matter in practice, but are immaterial to the problem being solved.

Thinking Abstractly The need for abstraction A-Z Travel map of London for people travelling by car How has abstraction been used in this situation and why was it needed? Colour coded the roads (M1, A1 and minor A roads) Upper case for important areas Lower case for minor areas Boxes for names of roads

Thinking Abstractly The need for abstraction Colour coded Legends Key Key bus routes in central London How has abstraction been used in this situation and why was it needed? Colour coded Legends Key Tourist information

Thinking Abstractly The need for abstraction Image used for a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle about London’s landmarks How has abstraction been used in this situation and why was it needed? Used large scale pictures for tourists

Thinking Abstractly The need for abstraction Congestion zone map of central London How has abstraction been used in this situation and why was it needed? Filled in specific area with colour Key Has legends for key points Labelled all minor roads.

Thinking Abstractly The need for abstraction Tourist map of London How has abstraction been used in this situation and why was it needed? Images of key monuments for tourism. Labelled the main roads

Thinking Abstractly Abstraction and Reality 1. Explain with the aid of these diagrams the difference between abstraction an reality. Reality Abstraction

Thinking Abstractly Abstraction and Reality 1. Explain with the aid of these diagrams the difference between abstraction an reality. Reality Abstraction

Thinking Abstractly Abstraction and Reality 1. Explain with the aid of these diagrams the difference between abstraction an reality. Reality Abstraction

Thinking Abstractly Abstraction and Reality 1. Explain with the aid of these diagrams the difference between abstraction an reality. Reality Abstraction

Thinking Abstractly Devising Abstract Models A house plan needs to be drawn up by a structural engineer to provide to a planning officer. How might abstraction be used by the engineer when producing the drawing? Don’t need to know what's in the room Top down Shows which way doors open Shows correctly where the windows are

Thinking Abstractly Devising Abstract Models Economy Abstraction is used heavily in every game ever made. Replicating reality isn’t possible and often shouldn’t even been a goal, interactive entertainment sets itself apart by offering players fun decisions and testing their skills often by immersing them in a unique world. Games fail to achieve these goals when they prioritise realism above everything else. Using The Internet research the Civilization game series. This is a computer game franchise which lets players manage the growth and development of a nation as it evolves through from the stone age to current times. How has abstraction been used during the development of this game? Economy Wars between countries

Thinking Abstractly Exam Questions… AirlineGo is a flight simulator, designed for pilots, to learn how to fly commercial aircraft. The simulator allows the pilot to fly virtually over many types of terrain including cities, landing and taking off at international airports. The developers of the simulation software examine real cities. They then use a process of abstraction to design a virtual city and airport. Explain why developers use abstraction.   The use of abstraction will be used to simulate flying in real world places without the excess amount of things. It can be use to simulate real flying conditions.

Thinking Abstractly Exam Questions… The simulated city and the real city will have similarities and differences. State two similarities between the simulated city and the real city, and explain why these similarities exist.   Similarity 1 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...... ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...... …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... Similarity 2 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...... ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..[4]

Thinking Abstractly Exam Questions… State two differences between the simulated and real city.   Difference 1 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...... ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...... …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... Difference 2 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...... ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..[4]

Thinking Abstractly Task… Create 3 images of Dorset varying in purpose and levels of abstraction. Annotate your work with comments on the need for abstraction in your images. Find 3 example's of abstraction in the programming industry. What is the need for programmers to use them and how does it advantage the coding solution.