Articles

Why is Computational Thinking a Vital Skill for Children?

by Samiksha S. Author

Computational thinking is one of the buzzwords that has received more and more attention over the past couple of years. Educators across the world have called it a crucial aspect of primary education and hailed it as a significant 21st century skill to inculcate in the younger generation. As such, the idea that it is not just another trend that will go away in a few years is further strengthened by the fact that ‘computational thinking’ has also been lauded as a critical skill for every stage of school education in the recently released National Education Policy 2020.

So, what exactly is computational thinking? And, why is it being termed as a vital skill for our children? At Yuvashakti Model School, regarded as the Best School in Rohini, Delhi, we will take a detailed look at the different aspects that make computational thinking a critical modern-day capability.

What is computational thinking?

The simplest definition of computational thinking is that it’s about understanding the way a computer thinks, and how to use that thinking to attain the desired goal. For instance, we might ask a computer to draw a house, but a ‘house’ is not a generally recognized shape that the computer can draw by itself. When we give it instructions to draw a triangle over a square shape, it comes up with something resembling a house. The better the instructions of the programmer, the more aesthetic the final outcome. So, here are the skills that come under computational thinking:

  • Logical thinking and problem solving
  • Coding and debugging
  • Breaking down a complex problem into comprehendible steps
  • Pattern recognition
  • Conditional decision making

Why is it being termed as a vital skill for children?

We, at Yuvashakti Model School, believe that there are three main reasons why teaching computational skills to children is of utmost importance:

  • Preparing the younger generation for their future professions

Our children are going to be the new generation of job seekers who will need to be well-averse in varied facets of modern technology to find their footing in the rapidly advancing world of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

When we teach computational thinking to our kids, we give them a head start to finding their way in the coveted ICT branch. Our ultimate aim is to ensure that children grow enthusiastic about learning technology from a more useful perspective.

  • Inculcating computational skills is easier at an early age

There is no denying that kids are pretty fast learners. So, they will find it much easier to pick up computational skills at an early age, rather than at a later stage in their lives.

Also, the benefits will be maximized when they start mastering the skills from an early age. This is also the reason why the NEP 2020 emphasizes on teaching these skills all through the primary and secondary school levels.

  • The role of computational thinking in everyday life

The ability to break down complicated problems into comprehendible, smaller parts offers several benefits not only in the technological aspect but also in daily life. It teaches children how to handle difficult tasks coming their way along the path of life.

When we focus on improving computational skills in children, it also improves their visual memory, language skills, and number sense, which are certainly added advantages.

At Yuvashakti Model School, one among the leading schools in Sector 3, Rohini, we have always believed that the path to future brilliance starts from the initial days of the learners. And sound technical knowledge is the stepping stone to their accomplishments of tomorrow. Thus, we wholeheartedly applaud the decision to include computational skills in the NEP 2020, and it makes us proud to proclaim that we have already implemented it in our teaching methodology at YMS.


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About Samiksha S. Advanced     Author

34 connections, 2 recommendations, 209 honor points.
Joined APSense since, September 25th, 2019, From Delhi, India.

Created on Oct 1st 2020 01:22. Viewed 234 times.

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