Course Objectives

After the workshop, you will be able to:

• Understand key concepts relating to computing and the typical activities involved in creating a program
• Understand and use computational thinking techniques like problem decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithms to analyse a problem and develop solutions
• Write, test and modify algorithms for a program using flowcharts and pseudocode
• Understand key principles and terms associated with coding and the importance of well-structured and documented code
• Understand and use programming constructs like variables, data types, and logic in a program
• Improve efficiency and functionality by using iteration, conditional statements, procedures and functions, as well as events and commands in a program
• Test and debug a program and ensure it meets requirements before release

Training Delivery Methodology

Participants go through a structured curriculum supplemented with hands-on exercises on computers. There will also be brainstorming sessions and group discussions to encourage flow and exchange of ideas between participants and with the trainer.

Target Audience

• Managers, professionals and executives who require basic computing and coding concepts & knowledge so they can make more informed decisions and manage employees better
• Working individuals who would like to gain more understanding on basic computing and coding concepts & knowledge
• Individuals who would like to learn basic computing and coding concepts & knowledge

Course Outline

1. Computing Terms

Key Concepts

• Define the term computing.
• Define the term computational thinking.
• Define the term program.
• Define the term code. Distinguish between source code, machine code.
• Understand the terms program description and specification.
• Recognise typical activities in the creation of a program: analysis, design, programming, testing, enhancement.
• Understand the difference between a formal language and a natural language.

2. Computational Thinking Methods

Problem Analysis

• Outline the typical methods used in computational thinking: decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, algorithms.
• Use problem decomposition to break down data, processes, or a complex problem into smaller parts.
• Identify patterns among small, decomposed problems.
• Use abstraction to filter out unnecessary details when analysing a problem.
• Understand how algorithms are used in computational thinking.

Algorithms

• Define the programming construct term sequence. Outline the purpose of sequencing when designing algorithms.
• Recognise possible methods for problem representation like: flowcharts, pseudocode.
• Recognise flowchart symbols like: start/stop, process, decision, input/output, connector, arrow.
• Outline the sequence of operations represented by a flowchart, pseudocode.
• Write an accurate algorithm based on a description using a technique like: flowchart, pseudocode.
• Fix errors in an algorithm like: missing program element, incorrect sequence, incorrect decision outcome.

3. Starting To Code

Getting Started

• Describe the characteristics of well-structured and documented code like: indentation, appropriate comments, descriptive naming.
• Use simple arithmetic operators to perform calculations in a program: +, -, /, *.
• Understand the precedence of operators and the order of evaluation in complex expressions. Understand how to use parenthesis to structure complex expressions.
• Understand the term parameter. Outline the purpose of parameters in a program.
• Define the programming construct term comment. Outline the purpose of a comment in a program.
• Use comments in a program.

Variables And Data Types

• Define the programming construct term variable. Outline the purpose of a variable in a program.
• Define and initialise a variable.
• Assign a value to a variable.
• Use appropriately named variables in a program for calculations, storing values.
• Use data types in a program: string, character, integer, float, Boolean.
• Use an aggregate data type in a program like: array, list, tuple.
• Use data input from a user in a program.
• Use data output to a screen in a program.

4. Building Using Code

Logic

• Define the programming construct term logic test. Outline the purpose of a logic test in a program.
• Recognise types of Boolean logic expressions to generate a true or false value like: =, >, <, >=, <=, <>, !=, ==, AND, OR, NOT.
• Use Boolean logic expressions in a program.

Iteration

• Define the programming construct term loop. Outline the purpose and benefit of looping in a program.
• Recognise types of loops used for iteration: for, while, repeat.
• Use iteration (looping) in a program like: for, while, repeat.
• Understand the term infinite loop.
• Understand the term recursion.

Conditionality

• Define the programming construct term conditional statement. Outline the purpose of conditional statements in a program.
• Use IF…THEN…ELSE conditional statements in a program.

Procedures And Functions

• Understand the term procedure. Outline the purpose of a procedure in a program.
• Write and name a procedure in a program.
• Understand the term function. Outline the purpose of a function in a program.
• Write and name a function in a program.

Events And Commands

• Understand the term event. Outline the purpose of an event in a program.
• Use event handlers like: mouse click, keyboard input, button click, timer.
• Use available generic libraries like: math, random, time.

5. Test, Debug And Release

Run, Test And Debug

• Understand the benefits of testing and debugging a program to resolve errors.
• Understand types of errors in a program like: syntax, logic.
• Run a program.
• Identify and fix a syntax error in a program like: incorrect spelling, missing punctuation.
• Identify and fix a logic error in a program like: incorrect Boolean expression, incorrect data type.

Release

• Check your program against the requirements of the initial description.
• Describe the completed program, communicating purpose and value.
• Identify enhancements, improvements to the program that may meet additional, related needs.