Computational thinking is not just a skill for computer scientists or computer students, it is a fundamental skill for every person (Wing 2006). In modern society, computational thinking is a critical issue because it plays a circular role in our studies and everyday life. According to Wikipedia (2023), computational thinking is a thought process, in which defined solutions can be divided into computational steps and algorithms. In addition, like programmers, people who use computational thinking should break down complex problems into simpler parts so that most people can fully understand these complex problems.
Furthermore, computational thinking has four basic characteristics including decomposition, abstraction, pattern recognition, and algorithm design (Brooks [no date]). People could use computational thinking to solve problems in their daily lives. For example, suppose individuals intend to book a holiday, they could use computational thinking techniques to solve this process. Firstly, people should deconstruct this task into some small components like the specific date and preferred places. Then, they could focus on some details, for instance, selecting from the available booking options and providing personal information. After that, they could follow a similar approach throughout the booking process. Finally, they could use a step-by-step method to address any problems and evaluate the overall booking procedure. This is a process of breaking down a complex problem into some smaller and simpler parts. Additionally, in solving a problem efficiently, it is possible that individuals assess whether their solutions are adequate or whether they could use their advantage, computational thinking could reframe complex problems through techniques such as reduction, transformation, or simulation (Wing 2006).
Computational thinking plays an indispensable and significant role in our academic pursuits and practical endeavors. For instance, the application of computational thinking facilitates our adept handling of complex data sets, enhances our comprehension of intricate systems, and enables us to analyze and resolve intricate problems with greater efficiency and precision. Additionally, the cultivation of computational thinking fosters a comprehensive grasp of fundamental algorithms, intricate data structures, and the nuances of programming languages. In addition, Computational thinking develops an understanding of algorithms, data structures, and programming. By cultivating computational thinking, we can better understand programming concepts and logic, improve programming skills, and write more efficient and reliable code. Moreover, in modern society, computational thinking is also an effective tool that can help most learners develop their problem-solving ability so that they could apply computational thinking to both their studies and everyday life. Computational thinking concepts could also help people tackle challenges in a more effective way. In a broader sense, it is imperative that we not only acquire but also consistently apply the principles of computational thinking in our future career and our daily routines. Using computational thinking, we can efficiently tackle various challenges and intricacies that arise, thus significantly enhancing our overall productivity and problem-solving capabilities.
Brooks, R. [No date]. What is computational thinking? Available at: https://online.york.ac.uk/what-is-computational-thinking/ [Accessed: 19 October 2023].
Computational thinking. 2023. Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_thinking [Accessed: 15 October 2023].
Lazarev, K. 2021. Green valley in alpine mountains. Available at: https://www.pexels.com/zh-cn/photo/green-valley-in-alpine-mountains-9801136/ File: pexels-kirill-lazarev-9801136.jpg [Accessed: 18 October 2023].
Wing, J. 2006. Computational thinking. Communications of the ACM 49 (3), pp. 33-35. doi: 10.1145/1118178.1118215