Computational thinking is a problem-solving technique that involves breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable pieces that can be fully understood. It is a set of cognitive skills and problem-solving processes that include using abstractions and pattern recognition to represent the problem in new and different ways, logically organizing and analyzing data, and modeling a situation and specifying the ways an information-processing agent can effectively operate. Computational thinking is not limited to computing specifically, but is a fundamental skill for everyone, not just computer scientists.
Computational thinking involves ideas like abstraction, data representation, and logically organizing data, which are also prevalent in other kinds of thinking, such as scientific thinking, engineering thinking, systems thinking, design thinking, model-based thinking, and the like. It is an interrelated set of skills and practices for solving complex problems, a way to learn topics in many disciplines, and a necessity for fully participating in a computational world.
The skills and practices requiring computational thinking are broader, leveraging concepts and skills from computer science and applying them to other contexts, such as core academic disciplines (e.g. arts, English language arts, math, science, social studies) and everyday problem solving. Computational thinking helps students develop skills that are attractive for future employment opportunities, as computer science is the fastest growing job market and students with skills in coding are highly sought after job applicants.
In summary, computational thinking is a problem-solving approach that involves breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable pieces, and using abstractions, pattern recognition, and logical organization to represent and analyze data. It is a fundamental skill for everyone, not just computer scientists, and can be applied to many different contexts, including core academic disciplines and everyday problem solving.
