Professor Muffy Calder's keynote from the CAS Scotland conference 2012. The video of this presentation is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6bV9V23uoI Professor Calder is the second Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland. She undertook the post on 1st March 2012. Professor Calder comes to the Scottish Government from the University of Glasgow where she continues to hold the chair of Professor of Formal Methods (Computing Science). Her research is in modelling and reasoning about the behaviour of complex software and biochemical systems using computer science, mathematics and automated reasoning techniques. In 2011 Professor Calder was awarded an OBE for services to Computer Science and a Royal Society Wolfson Merit Award. Professor Calder also played a key role in establishing the BCS Academy of Computing as a partnership between UKCRC, CPHC and BCS.

1. The importance of
Computational Thinking
in the digital* age
Muffy Calder
Professor of Computing Science
University of Glasgow
and
Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland
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2. What is Computational Thinking?
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3. What is Computational Thinking?
Thinking precisely and unambiguously about data and computation,
separating concerns and thinking about
• what a system does and how it does it
• what are the right abstractions
• what can you leave out, what must be considered
• what are the best representations for those abstractions
• what is the power and/or constraints of the underlying machinery
• what are the interfaces (human or otherwise)
• what are the conditions for operation
• what are solutions for similar systems or components
• when to use recursion or parallelism
• when is randomisation or approximation is appropriate
• when will a heuristic help (an experience based technique, rule of
thumb, when you can’t do an exhaustive search )
• when will a reformulation or reduction lead to a known solution
• when should you trade space for time or v.v.
• when dealing with data: ecological fallacy and fallacy of composition
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4. Computational Thinking is not just for
computers -- its for life
Thought processes and the automation of abstractions.
Formulation of a problem and solutions.
Understanding limitations and power of computation.
Programming is fundamental to computer science and
computational thinking.
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5. Programming
Software is everywhere – in nearly every business, every aspect of modern life.
- jet engine, car brakes, tax return, holiday booking, this presentation …
Software is designed and modified everywhere, not just in software industry.
Computing Science and Computational Thinking are too important to be left to
left to universities or to chance -- what happens at school is crucial.
.
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6. My own background
My introduction to computer science was appalling – but it got better quickly.
Research in modelling and reasoning about concurrent and communicating
systems.
From wireless network protocols to molecular biology.
Telecommunications industry, medical research, sensor systems, air
traffic systems.
Chair of UKCRC 2009-2011
Board of BCS Academy of Computing
Royal Society Report -- State of Computing at School
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7. A Grassroots Revolution
UK-wide Computing at School group.
Self-help group for computing teachers
Supported by BCS, Microsoft, Google and others
CAS Scotland
CAS designed curriculum
Royal Society report.
Government takes notice.
Eric Schmidt 2011 MacTaggart Lecture decisive.
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8. There is a need to improve understanding in schools of the nature and scope of
Computing. In particular there needs to be recognition that Computer Science is a
rigorous academic discipline of great importance to the future careers of many pupils.
Every child should have the opportunity to learn Computing at school, including
exposure to Computer Science as a rigorous academic discipline.
There is a need for qualifications in aspects of Computing that are accessible at school
level but are not currently taught. There is also a need for existing inappropriate
assessment methods to be updated.
… there is a lack of continuing professional development for teachers of Computing.
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9. As Chief Scientific Adviser in Scotland
CfE is an opportunity -- distinguishes computing science from ICT
Two relevant activities:
Curriculum working group looking at CPD needs for teachers – proposal for
action
BCS Academy of Computing, Computing at School Scotland, Education Scotland and the
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Exemplification material –RSE and BCS Academy of Computing
supported by Education Scotland (and universities and industry)
Jeremy Scott seconded on part time basis
Phase 1 levels 3,4: intro to CS, mobile app development, programming in Scratch
Phase 2 levels 4: info sys design, level 5: software design and development
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10. My message
• Computational thinking is about problem formulation and solving
• Computing Science is a rigorous science and engineering discipline
• Programming is at the heart of Computing Science
– about thinking and engineering
– allows us to understand, design, and change software which is
everywhere
• (Computing) Science is empowering
be scientific and rigorous, be brave!