Computational Thinking
Computational Thinking is a cognitive strategy utilizing algorithms, abstraction, decomposition and pattern recognition. With Computational Thinking, students develop skills such as critical thinking, analytical thinking, evaluation, and application while learning to solve problems in creative and innovative ways. Support for this toolkit generously provided by Intel.



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Innovator Kit Software RequirementsDetails of the required and optional software denoted in the Innovator Kit Activity Cards. All of the specified software is freely available for education use or open source. |
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Innovator Kit: Activity Card 1In biology, decomposers, such as worms, fungi, or soil bacterium, break down organic matter into smaller parts. However, as computational thinkers, we are all decomposers breaking down complex processes and problems into smaller, more manageable steps. Decomposition is a skill that comes naturally, in all aspects of our lives.
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Innovator Kit: Activity Card 2Patterns are all around us. Some patterns are simple to describe—cars taking turns one by one at a stop sign—and others are more complex—the sequence of ads and posts in a social media feed. Once we start looking for patterns in the world around us, we can analyze and use these patterns to help make sense of and solve problems. |
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Innovator Kit: Activity Card 3Take a look at the room around you. It is filled with details, some important and some not so important. Important details might include the size and shape of the room or who is in the room with you. Less important details might include the color of a chair in the room, the shape of the legs on that chair, or whether or not their are pads on the bottom of the legs. |
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Innovator Kit: Activity Card 4In computational thinking, this process of following a step-by-step procedure to overcome a problem is called algorithmic representation or automation. Algorithms are important in computer programming, but we use them in all aspects of day-to-day life, whether solving a math problem, setting an alarm, or remembering where you placed your keys. |
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Innovator Kit: Activity Card 7Block coding with Scratch* is a start, but many professional programmers use text-based languages like Python*. Python will level up your programming skills and enable a new set of opportunities with the Tello* EDU drone, including capturing video, establishing your own flight commands, and much more. |
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Innovator Kit: FlyerThe Intel Skills for Innovation Innovator Kit is free with the purchase of 50 or more Intel® CoreTM i3 or better-based devices. |
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Innovator Kit: Virtual Learning Adaptation GuideSuggestions for adaptations and modifications to ensure the Intel Skills for Innovation Innovator Kit works in virtual, online, and hybrid learning settings. |
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Powering up the Chromebook Experience at Roxbury Public SchoolsNew Jersey's Roxbury Township School District has been a 1:1 school for five years. Their older chromebooks were beginning to age, so they wanted to choose more powerful future-ready devices. |
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Accelerating Learning with Workplace Math SkillsTools such as Math Assistant in OneNote for Education can make a difference in the effort to close the opportunity gap and accelerate learning for all. |
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The 2020 GitHub Education Classroom ReportThe 2020 GitHub Education Classroom Report captures key insights into the student developer toolchain, how students are learning real-world workflows, and expectations around technical coursework. |
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Virtual Learning Has Normalized Educational Game Use for TeachingA new report charts the pandemic-related growth in digital game use in schools, showing that perceived “usefulness” has increased acceptance. |
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A 2020 Lesson about Virtual LearningI can’t say that I’ll miss 2020, but I’ll certainly remember the lessons this year has driven home about technology-use in education and how it must prioritize students as active participants at the center of their learning. |
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Language Aptitude = Learning to Code?Is there a relationship between language aptitude and learning to code? A new study indicates that language skills may predict success in the development of coding skills. |
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K-12 Esports: Five Misconceptions, AddressedEsports are here to stay, but so are the common arguments against them. In this post, we look at five misconceptions about esports, without dismissing the concerns. |
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Esports in K-12: Five Popular Titles ReviewedThrough my lens as a math teacher, I sat down to play some of the most popular esports titles. I looked for how coachable, playable, and yes, personally enjoyable I found these games. Watch my vlog! |
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Solitary EnshrinementThe pandemic provides the perfect backdrop for that age-old game of isolation, Solitaire. The Notable Women in Tech organization has created a created a deck of cards for that premiere solitaire destination, Solitaired, showcasing prominent women in computing. |
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Talent Management: Reinventing K-12 Learning ExperiencesThe door is open to reimagining what a new educational teaching and learning system could look like. The visionary leadership and choices that we invest in today will transform our future school experiences for everyone. |
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Everything You Wanted to Know About Esports (But Were Afraid to Ask)Think you missed the esports boat? No worries: here are some frequently asked questions to get you up-to-speed. Ready, Player One? |
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