1. The SwapPuzzle So what is an algorithm?
Prof Paul Curzon
Queen Mary, University of London
With support from Google,
D of E and the Mayor of London

2. Aims Give you deeper understanding of core topics
What is an algorithm
Efficiency of algorithms
Computational thinking
Give you practical ways to teach computing in a fun, thought provoking way
away from computers, focus on concepts
Linked activity sheets and booklets can be downloaded from our website:

3. Artificial Intelligence?
What do we mean by
Artificial Intelligence?
Computing is about making intelligent machines
How is it done?…with algorithms
What do we mean by human intelligence?
If we identify abilities in humans as intelligent, we can then build machines to have these abilities. 1

4. The Swap Puzzle
Aim
Swap the red/blue pieces in as few moves as possible.
Two kinds of move:
Move a piece to a free adjacent square
Jump an adjacent piece into an empty space
Square 0
Square 1
Square 2
Square 3
Square 4

5. Write out the algorithm
Use the instructions of the form
<to> GETS THE PIECE FROM <from>
For example, for a 3 square board:
Step 1: Square 1 GETS THE PIECE FROM Square 0
Step 2: Square 0 GETS THE PIECE FROM Square 2
Step 3: Square 2 GETS THE PIECE FROM Square 1
Then test it really does work!

6. Execute it: role playing
Then execute it by role playing
with kids as pieces
Board 1 target time: 15 seconds
Board 2 target time: 40 seconds
Board 3 target time: 75 seconds
How many steps are needed?
An online version of the swap puzzle is available at

7. Algorithms Once you solve a problem …
write out the algorithm
you can then solve it again without thinking
It is important to test algorithms
Does it really work?
There can be many algorithms to do the same thing
Some faster than others
Faster if it has fewer steps to follow

8. Computational Thinking Lessons
Algorithmic thinking
Attention to detail
Need for evaluation
Think about efficiency

9. Summary
Algorithms and algorithmic thinking can be introduced in lots of fun ways
Away from computers!
With games
With magic
With puzzles

10. Twitter: @TeachingLDNComp
More support
On our website to support this session:
Activity sheets
Story sheets
Slides
Details of more worskshops/courses
free unplugged sessions
subsidised courses (e.g. GCSE programming)

11. Together we are Teaching London Computing
Thank you!