Playground Ruoholahti special playground equipment

Sort the sand toys by color or size. How do you think a computer would sort them?

Computational thinking means thinking about problems in a way that a computer can solve them. Computational thinking includes logical thinking, the ability to recognize patterns, creating algorithms, breaking problems into smaller parts, and generalizing solutions. All of these can be practiced in everyday situations, such as sorting objects.

Start by thinking about characteristics: Consider what common features the objects or items might have. Can you group them by size, color, shape, or material? Choose a clear rule: Once you've found a characteristic to group by, choose it as a rule. For example, "let's sort all objects by their color." Go through all the objects: Look at each object or item and check if it fits into the chosen group. If it doesn't, think about whether it belongs to another group. Check your grouping: After you've grouped all the objects, check if all similar objects are in the correct group. If you find a mistake, correct it. Try different ways of grouping: Try to group the objects again using a different characteristic, such as what they are used for or where they belong. This helps you see that the same things can be sorted in different ways.

Breaking a problem into parts means in programming that the programmer splits the problem into smaller parts and solves each one individually.

Recognizing patterns or regularities is essential because a programmer needs to spot recurring things that help solve the problem. Recognizing patterns is also helpful when the programmer notices similarities to another problem that already has a solution.

Abstraction is about the programmer understanding what is important for solving the problem and which details can be ignored.

Algorithmic thinking means that the programmer uses different aspects of computational thinking to create a set of instructions and rules for the computer to follow in order to complete the task. 

Information travels around the world multiple times per second on the internet. How fast can you go?

The internet often seems invisible. But if you look closely, you'll start to notice things around you that are connected to the internet. Do you see anything around you that might be connected to the internet? Can you find a funny Wi-Fi network name? Or something else related to the internet?

What does the internet look like to you? Are there cat videos, robots, or computer mice? Maybe you can find games? How about cables or servers?

What should we watch today? How does a computer or an algorithm know which video to show next?

The data a computer processes can be text, images, sound, or videos. A computer receives information in various ways. Data can be input manually, or the computer can collect it using different sensors, such as measuring temperature or light levels. Every like, heart click, or video view on the internet is stored as data, which the computer can use.

Here, you can practice using the internet safely. Maybe you’ll set up your own online store, present a video about your day, or design a music video!

Command, repetition, and condition - create a rule for how to jump on the trampoline

A computer program is a chain of instructions written in a language that the computer understands. The instructions must be precise, or the computer will make mistakes. Almost all computer programs contain an ordered sequence of commands, a repetition structure, and a conditional statement.

An ordered sequence of commands means instructions given in a specific order. For a computer, it’s important to write the commands accurately and in the correct order.

• Design your own movement sequence for the trampoline. Describe the movements carefully. Here’s an example: clap, spin, jump.

Repetition structures, or loops, are sections of code that are repeated over and over. Some loops run infinitely (known as infinite loops). Others have a condition that stops the loop. A while-loop repeats the code until a condition to stop is met. A counter-loop stops after a set number of repetitions.

• Create a repetition structure for your movement sequence. Here’s an example: repeat the movement sequence three times.

Conditional statements or selections are structures where computers are taught to make decisions. A selection allows the programmer to test two different options. If this happens, do this, otherwise, do something else.

• Design a conditional structure for your movement sequence. Here’s an example: if you wear yellow, repeat the sequence, otherwise, wait

Choose your favourite letter from the keyboard and spell your name by hopping

The touch typing system is a way to type on a keyboard quickly and accurately. It uses all fingers for typing, and each finger has its own place on the keyboard.

By practicing touch typing, you can type much faster because you don't have to look at the keyboard all the time. With this keyboard, you should keep an eye on your feet.

• Find the letters of your own name and walk along them.
• Practice keyboard commands with a partner, for example, copy, cut, and paste.
• Create a movement for each letter. For example, K = kneel, J = jump. 

Choose one thing that went well today and plan a little victory dance on the phone screen!

Various algorithms run the world, although we often don't pay any attention to their operation. Algorithms search for and sort information, provide estimates, and make recommendations. For example, they decide what kinds of ads we see online or which videos an app recommends to us.

Ready, set, action! Plan a video and find out what factors affect the functioning of a recommendation algorithm. Finally, present a live video to your friends or family members.

Discuss together how the following things influence the recommendation algorithm: Is there anything concerning about recommendation algorithms?

• Number of likes
• Tags (i.e., hashtags)
• Number of subscribers
• Minutes watched
• Previously watched videos
• Video view counts

How would you know if a number is even or odd if you were a computer?

If I were a computer, I could determine if a number is even or odd by dividing it by two. If the division by two leaves no remainder (i.e., the result is 0), the number is even. If the remainder is 1, the number is odd. For example, 4 ÷ 2 = 2 (remainder 0, so 4 is even), 5 ÷ 2 = 2.5 (remainder 1, so 5 is odd).

The processor, which is located on the motherboard along with the memory, performs this calculation. The motherboard allows the different parts of the computer, such as the processor and memory, to communicate with each other and ensure that calculations are carried out correctly and efficiently.

Are you a data packet, a virus, or something entirely different as you adventure through a computer?

The four main elements of a computer are input, processing, output, and memory. Most computers follow the same principle of data transfer.

Inputting data into a machine is called input. This can be done using various input devices, like a keyboard. Another way to collect and input data is by using sensors. After that, the data is processed, meaning it is transformed in some way. The processor handles the transformation, following the instructions given by the memory.

Output shows the result of the data processing, for example, as letters on a computer screen. In addition to a printer, output devices also include the computer's screen. This entire process is called data transfer.

Describe input, processing, and output using words to explain what happens when:

• you pay in a store with a card
• a smoke alarm starts to ring
• you send an email
• you use a microwave

Can you form your favorite letter as a binary number?

A bit (short for binary digit) is the smallest unit of data in a computer. A bit can only have two values, often represented as either zero or one. The counting system based on two digits is called binary, and the operation of all computers is based on the binary system.

With binary conversion, you can practice representing letters, numbers, or color values as binary numbers. To convert letters to binary: Find each letter's ASCII code (for example, 'A' = 65, 'B' = 66, etc.). Convert the ASCII code into binary form (you can use a calculator or an online tool). For example, 'A' = 65 = 01000001 in binary. Using a binary abacus, you can form and calculate binary numbers.

The abacus has columns with movable beads. Each column represents a bit (0 or 1). 

The position of the beads determines the bit's value: 

• When the bead is in the upper position, the bit is 1. 

• When the bead is in the lower position, the bit is 0.

The control panel of a computer can be a photocopier, a runway, a time capsule, or a space shuttle. Take a peek inside the server too!

Programmers use flowcharts, where the different stages of a program are represented using various shapes and arrows. Flowcharts help to visualize complex tasks and decision-making processes in a clear and organized way. They make planning, testing, and maintaining programs easier. Flowcharts use different symbols, such as rectangles to represent tasks and diamonds to indicate decision points. Arrows connect the steps, showing what happens next.

Example flowchart:

Start: "I arrive at school" (rectangle).

Decision point: "Is the first lesson math?" (diamond).

• If yes, proceed to: "I start the math lesson" (rectangle).
• If no, proceed to: "I go to a different lesson" (rectangle).

Now, think about how you could use a flowchart to represent:

• Doing homework
• Deciding which recess game to play
• Cleaning the house
• Choosing what to have for dinner.