Computational & Design Thinking

Computational Thinking (CSTA has a helpful operational definition for K-12 education that is helpful for adult education as well) is a problem-solving process that breaks problems into logically organized, discrete parts, and then seeks to find ways to automate solutions through algorithmic thinking. It further works to identify, analyze, and implement possible solutions and to generalize and transfer the process to a wide variety of problems.

In addition, design thinking is a helpful extension to improve creative problem solving and user-centered design (see a helpful toolkit applying design thinking to libraries developed by IDEO and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for a more complete introduction to design thinking).

Demystifying technology uses computational and design thinking to ground technology education within a process of critical thinking and problem solving. Issues that matter to participants are used as the starting point, who are then guided to break down the issue into discrete parts often through a process of design thinking. Participants take stock of available resources that might help to accomplish the different steps needed to achieve each discrete part, often leading to learning of new technology skills within the context of the broader project. At the end, reflection and discussion help to generalize learning to new contexts.

The International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) standards for students, teachers, administrators, and technology coaches are a widely recognized and adapted set of standards for evaluating the skills and knowledge necessary to perform effectively within the digital age, and resonate strongly with the demystifying technology approach.