Computational Thinking Competencies

Computational Thinking Competencies

• Computational thinking involves using your mind to consider calculations and order.
• Computational thinking competencies are important skills needed to do a job.
• Abstraction
  • Simplifies things by identifying and utilizing the structure of concepts or main ideas.
  • Focuses on important information without emphasizing details.
  • Biological Domain
    • Bioinformatics combines different fields of study like computer sciences, molecular biology, and engineering.
    • Analyzes large amounts of data in genomics and proteomics.
  • Computer Science Manifestations
    • Pseudocode provides an informal description of computer program execution steps.
  • Human Genomes
    • Structure of a cell is complex and difficult for humans to comprehend.
    • Abstraction through labeling, lettering, shaping, coloring, numbering, etc., simplifies cell representation for better understanding.
• Algorithms
  • Follow, identify, use, and create ordered sets of instructions.
  • Arranges things in ascending (1 to 5) or descending (5 to 1) order.
  • Biological Domain
    • Involves transcription, translation, gene function prediction, and protein function prediction.
  • Computer Science Manifestations
    • Employs IF ELSE statements.
    • Considers algorithm efficiency.
• Decomposition
  • Breaks down data, processes, or problems into smaller manageable components to solve a problem.
  • Each subproblem is examined or solved individually for a simpler approach.
  • Also known as divide-and-conquer to synthesize the final solution.
  • Biological Domain
    • Biological decomposers include fungi and bacteria.
  • Computer Science Manifestations
    • Uses functions and factorials.
• Pattern Recognition
  • Observes patterns, trends, and regularities in data.
  • A pattern is a discernible regularity where elements repeat predictably.
  • Involves finding similarities or patterns between small, decomposed problems, which helps solve complex problems efficiently.
  • Biological Domain
    • Includes gene finding, biomarkers, and protein synthesis.
  • Computer Science Manifestations
    • Employs machine learning, artificial intelligence, probability, and statistics.

Cybersecurity

• Phishing
  • Verify the sender of the email.
  • Practice caution before clicking on hyperlinks and manually type the correct address to ensure website authenticity.
  • Look for the lock icon in the address bar to ensure the website starts with https.
  • Report suspicious emails to the appropriate authority.
  • Delete the email and avoid forwarding it.
  • CIA
    • Confidentiality: Protect personal information and share only what is necessary.
    • Integrity: Practice cyber hygiene and beware of fake sources of information.
    • Availability: Prevent getting locked out of devices, as your actions can affect others.
• Strong Passwords
  • At least 8 characters long.
  • Includes numbers, symbols, upper and lowercase letters.
  • Use uncommon and nonstandard words or create a password from a sentence meaningful to you.
  • Avoid personal information that people know about you.
  • Use different passwords for different accounts.
  • Change passwords regularly.
  • Use two-factor authentication or multi-factor authentication (MFA) through mobile numbers, email addresses, or authentication apps.
• Data Security
  • Data can exist in physical and digital forms.
  • Data can belong to individuals or organizations.
  • Levels of Data Security
    • Feedback:
    • Receiver:
      • Confirmation bias
      • Motivations
      • Corrections
    • Context:
      • Information overload
      • Instability
• Different Sources
  • Original Source
  • Immediate Source
  • Invisible Source
  • Trusted Source
  • Disregarded Source
• Message Characteristics
  • Plausibility
  • Mentions Experts
  • Conversation Tone
  • Stirs Emotions
  • Asks for call to actions (Forwarding the message)?
  • Channels where information flows
    • Popularity cues
    • Reliance
    • Lack of gatekeeping
    • Information overload
  • Higher social media news use = Higher likelihood to believe in fake news.
  • Avoiding news = More likely to believe in misinformation.
  • Confirmation Bias: Information that aligns with our existing beliefs.
• Informational Apathy
  • Issue Relevance: Does not concern me.
  • Interpersonal relationships: Do not want to offend family/friends.
  • Personal Efficacy: There is no point in reasoning as people already believe.
• Consequences of Fake News
  • Short Term:
    • Political decisions
    • Business
    • Peace and order
    • Reputation
  • Long Term:
    • Devaluation of information
    • Erosion of trust in institutions
    • Larger social divisions
    • Chilling effect
• What Can We Do?
  • Individuals Authentication
    • Internal Acts of Authentication
      • The Self: We are old enough to judge and think (experience).
      • The Source: Is the source reliable?
      • The Message: Check the tone and see if it’s polemical or deliberately misleading to arouse emotions.
      • The Message Cues: If there are more likes, shares, comments, etc.
    • External Acts of Authentication
      • Incidental & Interpersonal: By chance discussing with family or friends.
      • Incidental & Institutional: Waiting for the follow-up news to confirm it.
      • Intentional & Interpersonal: Asking a reliable group to verify.
      • Intentional & Institutional: Googling the information to check.
    • Social Process
      • Motivations for authenticating:
        • Self-image (show that you don’t have questionable beliefs)
        • Group cohesion
      • Strategies of authentication:
        • Group beliefs; “deep stories”
        • Source affiliation
        • Sharing as authenticating
      • Consequences of authentication:
        • Institutionalisation of Interdependence
        • Ritualisation of collective authentication
  • Governments Authentication
    • POFMA (Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act):
      • An Act to prevent false statements circulating in Singapore.
      • Suppress support for and counteract the effects of such communication.
      • Safeguard against the use of online accounts for false communication and information manipulation.
      • Enable measures to enhance transparency of online political advertisements.
  • Tech Companies Authentication
    • Intervention (pressure by the public)
      • Support third-party fact checkers and journalists.
      • Promote media literacy among users.
      • Reduce financial incentives for content producers.
      • Implement new features to flag content.
      • Delete posts and remove accounts.

Explore key competencies in computational thinking, focusing on abstraction and its applications in fields like bioinformatics and computer science. This quiz will test your understanding of how abstraction simplifies complex concepts, especially in the context of human genomes and computer program execution.