teachComputing
  • Home
  • AI
    • AI Literacy >
      • AI Alliteration
      • Describing Monsters
      • Dystopian writing
      • Bringing literacy to life with AI
      • AI Literacy Prompts
    • AI Computing >
      • AI Computing Lessons >
        • Make me happy
        • Chatting Robot
        • Supervised Learning
        • Fooled
        • Socratic Debate
        • Moral Machine
      • AI Coding Strategies
      • AI Computing Prompts
    • AI Prompts
  • Teaching & Learning
    • Wellbeing
    • Blog
    • Humour >
      • Teacher Humour
      • Teacher Humor
    • PLN Challenge >
      • Covering your backside
      • Online Privacy
      • Twitter Challenge >
        • Twitter All Star
        • Challenge 1
        • Challenge 2
        • Challenge 3
        • Tips for staying safe on Twitter
        • Tips for hosting Edu Twitter Chats
        • Tips for taking part in Twitter chats
        • It's all about the hashtag! Essential chats for educators
        • How to storify a chat
        • How to schedule Tweets
        • Twitter Lists
        • NT2tEU
      • Facebook Challenge >
        • Challenge 4
        • Challenge 5
        • Challenge 6
        • Tips for staying safe on Facebook
      • Google Challenge >
        • Challenge 7
        • Challenge 8
        • Challenge 9
      • Pinterest Challenge >
        • Challenge 10
        • Challenge 11
        • Challenge 12
        • Tips for using Pinterest
      • Blog Challenge >
        • Challenge 13
        • Challenge 14
        • Challenge 15
        • How to create a classroom blog
      • Staffrm Challenge >
        • Challenge 16
        • Challenge 17
        • Challenge 18
      • Skype Challenge >
        • Challenge 19
        • Challenge 20
        • Challenge 21
      • Edmodo Challenge >
        • Challenge 22
        • Challenge 23
        • Challenge 24
      • TeachMeet Challenge >
        • Challenge 25
        • Challenge 26
        • Challenge 27
      • In-school challenge >
        • Challenge 28
        • Challenge 29
        • Challenge 30
      • 30 ways to grow your PLN
    • Tools for Teachers >
      • Web 2.0 >
        • Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools
        • Classroom Response Tools
      • Quiz Tools
      • Classroom Management Tools
      • Software >
        • Media Conversion Tools
        • Application Software
      • Multimedia >
        • Free Music
    • BYOD
    • Digital Leaders >
      • Digital Leaders Blog >
        • DL Archive
      • DL Tips
      • Quotes
      • Links
    • Flipped Learning >
      • Flipped Classroom vs. Blended Classroom
    • Gamification >
      • Gamification vs. Game Based Learning vs. Game Design
    • School Closures
    • Game Based Learning >
      • Minecraft >
        • Minecraft in Education
        • Minecraft Lesson Ideas
        • Minecraft Literacy
        • Real Life Minecraft
        • Minecraft Top Tips
        • Minecraft Coding Tutorials >
          • Minecraft Code Builder Setup
          • Minecraft Code: Walking on Air
          • Minecraft Code: Hello World
          • Minecraft Code: Functions
          • Minecraft Code: Rainbow
          • Minecraft Code: Skyscraper
          • Minecraft Pixel Art
    • The magic of >
      • The magic of Computing
      • The magic of Maths
      • The magic of Science
      • The magic of Literacy
    • Road2e2
    • T&L Blog
  • Computing
    • Computing Blog >
      • GCSE Computer Science
      • General
    • Teaching Computer Science >
      • CPD >
        • Blocks to Code
        • Tutorials >
          • How to embed Flash into PowerPoint
          • How to embed YouTube videos in to PowerPoint
          • How to create a wiki
          • How to create a classroom blog
      • Schemes of Work
      • Programming Resources
      • Theory
      • Posters
      • Festive Computing Activities
      • FLOPPYS 2020
      • FLOPPYS 2021
      • FLOPPYS 2022
      • Game Design
      • App Creation
    • Theory Lessons >
      • Theory Tests
      • Computer Hardware >
        • Input / Output
        • CPU
        • LMC
        • Storage Devices
        • Memory (RAM / ROM)
        • Hardware
      • Binary Lessons >
        • Units of Data
        • Binary Representation
        • Binary Representation of Images
        • Binary Representation of Images (Festive)
        • Binary Representation of Characters
        • Binary Representation of Sound
        • Binary Representation of Instructions
        • Binary Addition
        • Hexadecimal
      • Software >
        • Operating System
        • Types of Software
        • Utility Software
      • Programming >
        • Flowcharts
      • Computational Thinking >
        • Data Science
    • Digital Literacy >
      • Social Media (Good or Bad thing?)
      • Cyberbullying
      • Staying Safe Online
    • ICT Strand >
      • Fake News Project >
        • Fake News 1
        • Fake News 2
        • Fake News 3
        • Fake News 4
        • Fake News 5
      • Spreadsheet Modelling
      • Superhero Movie Trailer
      • PowerPoint Task
      • Digital Imaging
      • Paint 3D Tutorial
    • Programming Lessons >
      • Scratch >
        • Festive Scratch >
          • Music Festive with Scratch
          • Turtle Snowflakes
          • What's your elf name
          • Secret Santa
        • Making music with Scratch
        • Sorting Hat Lesson
        • Turtle Time
        • Superhero name generator
        • Compliment Generator
        • Magic 8 ball
      • Python >
        • Chatbot
        • Coding Golf
        • Turtle Time >
          • Turtle Instructions
        • Magic 8 ball
        • Python Mad Libs
        • Rock Paper Scissors
        • Shakespearean Insult Generator >
          • Shakespearean Insult Generator Part 2
        • Compliment generator
        • Sorting Hat
        • Superhero name generator
        • Cards Against
        • Guess the word
        • Guess the number
        • Festive Python >
          • What's your elf name
          • Secret Santa
          • Turtle Snowflakes
      • Little Man Computer
      • Hour of Code >
        • Hour of Code Music
        • Python Tutorials
        • HoC 8-Bit Challenge
        • Music MicroPython (Festive)
      • Raspberry Pi >
        • Networking the Pi
        • Minecraft Pi
        • Harry Potter Sorting Hat >
          • Harry Potter Sorting Hat (GPIO)
        • Raspberry Pi LTSP (Networked Classroom)
        • Astro Pi
    • Homeschooling
    • Remote Learning >
      • Fun Python Tutorials
      • Python Tutorials >
        • Chatbot Tutorial
        • Dice Roll
        • Turtle Tutorial
        • Magic 8 ball
        • Sorting Hat
        • Rock Paper Scissors Tutorial
        • Cards Against
        • Python Mad Libs
        • Shakespearean Insult Generator >
          • Shakespearean Insult Generator Part 2
        • Guess the word
        • Guess the number
        • Superhero name generator
        • Compliment generator
        • Festive Python Tutorials >
          • What's your elf name
          • Secret Santa
          • Turtle Snowflakes
      • Scratch Tutorials >
        • Sorting Hat
        • What's your superhero name
        • Turtle Time Tutorial
        • Compliment Generator
        • Magic 8 Ball
        • Festive Scratch Tutorials >
          • Festive Music with Scratch
          • Secret Santa Scratch Tutorial
          • Turtle Snowflakes Tutorial
          • What's your elf name
    • Revision >
      • Data Representation >
        • Binary Representation of Images
        • Binary Representation of Sound
  • 21 Things
    • 21 Things To Try >
      • ConnectEd
      • Social Media >
        • Twitter
        • Pinterest
        • Facebook Groups
        • Facebook Pages
        • Google+ Communities
        • Staffrm
        • Edmodo
        • Mystery Skype
        • Blogging
        • Classroom Blogging
      • Gamification
      • Flipped Classroom
      • Breakout Edu
      • Edu Podcasts
      • Jar of Awesome
      • TeachMeet
      • Team Teaching
      • Mixed Reality
      • Digital Leaders
      • Genius Hour
      • Sketchnoting
    • Computing >
      • CS 20
      • Code Golf
      • PRIMM
      • Under The Hood
      • Unplugged
      • Podcasts
      • Facebook Groups CS
      • Flipped Classroom CS
      • Teach with Magic
      • Socratic Debate
      • Coding Music
    • 21 Things Keep Fit >
      • 20 Health Hacks
      • Home Health Hacks
    • 21 Things PLN >
      • Edmodo
      • Twitter
      • Reply to a blog
      • Skype
      • Cofee Edu
      • Pinterest
      • Reach out
      • Conferences
      • Instagram
      • Ning
      • MEC
      • Voxer
      • LinkedIn
  • Microbit
    • Physical Computing >
      • micro:bit LEDs
      • micro:bit PIR
      • micro:bit Servo
      • micro:bit Temp
      • micro:bit LDR
      • micro:bit Moisture
      • micro:bit RGB LEDs
      • micro:bit HC-SR04 3v3
      • micro:bit HC-SR04 5v
      • micro:bit Push button
      • micro:bit Potentiometer
      • micro:bit Piezo
    • Music >
      • Music Festive
    • Festive Projects
    • Projects >
      • Music
      • Music MicroPython
      • Servo Animals
    • Lessons >
      • Magic 8 Ball
      • Harry Potter Sorting Hat
    • Quick Start Guide
    • Microbit Simulator
  • #100 Ideas
    • Testimonials
    • Competition >
      • Competition 2
    • Worksheets
    • Bonus Ideas >
      • What's your elf name
      • Make me happy
      • Guess the word
      • Cards Against Humanities
      • Compliment generator
      • Data Science
    • Curriculum
    • ISTE
    • CSTA
  • About
    • Privacy
  • Home
  • AI
    • AI Literacy >
      • AI Alliteration
      • Describing Monsters
      • Dystopian writing
      • Bringing literacy to life with AI
      • AI Literacy Prompts
    • AI Computing >
      • AI Computing Lessons >
        • Make me happy
        • Chatting Robot
        • Supervised Learning
        • Fooled
        • Socratic Debate
        • Moral Machine
      • AI Coding Strategies
      • AI Computing Prompts
    • AI Prompts
  • Teaching & Learning
    • Wellbeing
    • Blog
    • Humour >
      • Teacher Humour
      • Teacher Humor
    • PLN Challenge >
      • Covering your backside
      • Online Privacy
      • Twitter Challenge >
        • Twitter All Star
        • Challenge 1
        • Challenge 2
        • Challenge 3
        • Tips for staying safe on Twitter
        • Tips for hosting Edu Twitter Chats
        • Tips for taking part in Twitter chats
        • It's all about the hashtag! Essential chats for educators
        • How to storify a chat
        • How to schedule Tweets
        • Twitter Lists
        • NT2tEU
      • Facebook Challenge >
        • Challenge 4
        • Challenge 5
        • Challenge 6
        • Tips for staying safe on Facebook
      • Google Challenge >
        • Challenge 7
        • Challenge 8
        • Challenge 9
      • Pinterest Challenge >
        • Challenge 10
        • Challenge 11
        • Challenge 12
        • Tips for using Pinterest
      • Blog Challenge >
        • Challenge 13
        • Challenge 14
        • Challenge 15
        • How to create a classroom blog
      • Staffrm Challenge >
        • Challenge 16
        • Challenge 17
        • Challenge 18
      • Skype Challenge >
        • Challenge 19
        • Challenge 20
        • Challenge 21
      • Edmodo Challenge >
        • Challenge 22
        • Challenge 23
        • Challenge 24
      • TeachMeet Challenge >
        • Challenge 25
        • Challenge 26
        • Challenge 27
      • In-school challenge >
        • Challenge 28
        • Challenge 29
        • Challenge 30
      • 30 ways to grow your PLN
    • Tools for Teachers >
      • Web 2.0 >
        • Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools
        • Classroom Response Tools
      • Quiz Tools
      • Classroom Management Tools
      • Software >
        • Media Conversion Tools
        • Application Software
      • Multimedia >
        • Free Music
    • BYOD
    • Digital Leaders >
      • Digital Leaders Blog >
        • DL Archive
      • DL Tips
      • Quotes
      • Links
    • Flipped Learning >
      • Flipped Classroom vs. Blended Classroom
    • Gamification >
      • Gamification vs. Game Based Learning vs. Game Design
    • School Closures
    • Game Based Learning >
      • Minecraft >
        • Minecraft in Education
        • Minecraft Lesson Ideas
        • Minecraft Literacy
        • Real Life Minecraft
        • Minecraft Top Tips
        • Minecraft Coding Tutorials >
          • Minecraft Code Builder Setup
          • Minecraft Code: Walking on Air
          • Minecraft Code: Hello World
          • Minecraft Code: Functions
          • Minecraft Code: Rainbow
          • Minecraft Code: Skyscraper
          • Minecraft Pixel Art
    • The magic of >
      • The magic of Computing
      • The magic of Maths
      • The magic of Science
      • The magic of Literacy
    • Road2e2
    • T&L Blog
  • Computing
    • Computing Blog >
      • GCSE Computer Science
      • General
    • Teaching Computer Science >
      • CPD >
        • Blocks to Code
        • Tutorials >
          • How to embed Flash into PowerPoint
          • How to embed YouTube videos in to PowerPoint
          • How to create a wiki
          • How to create a classroom blog
      • Schemes of Work
      • Programming Resources
      • Theory
      • Posters
      • Festive Computing Activities
      • FLOPPYS 2020
      • FLOPPYS 2021
      • FLOPPYS 2022
      • Game Design
      • App Creation
    • Theory Lessons >
      • Theory Tests
      • Computer Hardware >
        • Input / Output
        • CPU
        • LMC
        • Storage Devices
        • Memory (RAM / ROM)
        • Hardware
      • Binary Lessons >
        • Units of Data
        • Binary Representation
        • Binary Representation of Images
        • Binary Representation of Images (Festive)
        • Binary Representation of Characters
        • Binary Representation of Sound
        • Binary Representation of Instructions
        • Binary Addition
        • Hexadecimal
      • Software >
        • Operating System
        • Types of Software
        • Utility Software
      • Programming >
        • Flowcharts
      • Computational Thinking >
        • Data Science
    • Digital Literacy >
      • Social Media (Good or Bad thing?)
      • Cyberbullying
      • Staying Safe Online
    • ICT Strand >
      • Fake News Project >
        • Fake News 1
        • Fake News 2
        • Fake News 3
        • Fake News 4
        • Fake News 5
      • Spreadsheet Modelling
      • Superhero Movie Trailer
      • PowerPoint Task
      • Digital Imaging
      • Paint 3D Tutorial
    • Programming Lessons >
      • Scratch >
        • Festive Scratch >
          • Music Festive with Scratch
          • Turtle Snowflakes
          • What's your elf name
          • Secret Santa
        • Making music with Scratch
        • Sorting Hat Lesson
        • Turtle Time
        • Superhero name generator
        • Compliment Generator
        • Magic 8 ball
      • Python >
        • Chatbot
        • Coding Golf
        • Turtle Time >
          • Turtle Instructions
        • Magic 8 ball
        • Python Mad Libs
        • Rock Paper Scissors
        • Shakespearean Insult Generator >
          • Shakespearean Insult Generator Part 2
        • Compliment generator
        • Sorting Hat
        • Superhero name generator
        • Cards Against
        • Guess the word
        • Guess the number
        • Festive Python >
          • What's your elf name
          • Secret Santa
          • Turtle Snowflakes
      • Little Man Computer
      • Hour of Code >
        • Hour of Code Music
        • Python Tutorials
        • HoC 8-Bit Challenge
        • Music MicroPython (Festive)
      • Raspberry Pi >
        • Networking the Pi
        • Minecraft Pi
        • Harry Potter Sorting Hat >
          • Harry Potter Sorting Hat (GPIO)
        • Raspberry Pi LTSP (Networked Classroom)
        • Astro Pi
    • Homeschooling
    • Remote Learning >
      • Fun Python Tutorials
      • Python Tutorials >
        • Chatbot Tutorial
        • Dice Roll
        • Turtle Tutorial
        • Magic 8 ball
        • Sorting Hat
        • Rock Paper Scissors Tutorial
        • Cards Against
        • Python Mad Libs
        • Shakespearean Insult Generator >
          • Shakespearean Insult Generator Part 2
        • Guess the word
        • Guess the number
        • Superhero name generator
        • Compliment generator
        • Festive Python Tutorials >
          • What's your elf name
          • Secret Santa
          • Turtle Snowflakes
      • Scratch Tutorials >
        • Sorting Hat
        • What's your superhero name
        • Turtle Time Tutorial
        • Compliment Generator
        • Magic 8 Ball
        • Festive Scratch Tutorials >
          • Festive Music with Scratch
          • Secret Santa Scratch Tutorial
          • Turtle Snowflakes Tutorial
          • What's your elf name
    • Revision >
      • Data Representation >
        • Binary Representation of Images
        • Binary Representation of Sound
  • 21 Things
    • 21 Things To Try >
      • ConnectEd
      • Social Media >
        • Twitter
        • Pinterest
        • Facebook Groups
        • Facebook Pages
        • Google+ Communities
        • Staffrm
        • Edmodo
        • Mystery Skype
        • Blogging
        • Classroom Blogging
      • Gamification
      • Flipped Classroom
      • Breakout Edu
      • Edu Podcasts
      • Jar of Awesome
      • TeachMeet
      • Team Teaching
      • Mixed Reality
      • Digital Leaders
      • Genius Hour
      • Sketchnoting
    • Computing >
      • CS 20
      • Code Golf
      • PRIMM
      • Under The Hood
      • Unplugged
      • Podcasts
      • Facebook Groups CS
      • Flipped Classroom CS
      • Teach with Magic
      • Socratic Debate
      • Coding Music
    • 21 Things Keep Fit >
      • 20 Health Hacks
      • Home Health Hacks
    • 21 Things PLN >
      • Edmodo
      • Twitter
      • Reply to a blog
      • Skype
      • Cofee Edu
      • Pinterest
      • Reach out
      • Conferences
      • Instagram
      • Ning
      • MEC
      • Voxer
      • LinkedIn
  • Microbit
    • Physical Computing >
      • micro:bit LEDs
      • micro:bit PIR
      • micro:bit Servo
      • micro:bit Temp
      • micro:bit LDR
      • micro:bit Moisture
      • micro:bit RGB LEDs
      • micro:bit HC-SR04 3v3
      • micro:bit HC-SR04 5v
      • micro:bit Push button
      • micro:bit Potentiometer
      • micro:bit Piezo
    • Music >
      • Music Festive
    • Festive Projects
    • Projects >
      • Music
      • Music MicroPython
      • Servo Animals
    • Lessons >
      • Magic 8 Ball
      • Harry Potter Sorting Hat
    • Quick Start Guide
    • Microbit Simulator
  • #100 Ideas
    • Testimonials
    • Competition >
      • Competition 2
    • Worksheets
    • Bonus Ideas >
      • What's your elf name
      • Make me happy
      • Guess the word
      • Cards Against Humanities
      • Compliment generator
      • Data Science
    • Curriculum
    • ISTE
    • CSTA
  • About
    • Privacy
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

Programming theory - Flowcharts

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand algorithms (written in pseudocode or flow diagram), explain what they do, and correct or complete them
  • Produce algorithms in pseudocode or flow diagrams to solve problems

Suggested time: 50 mins

Starter

Start by showing students the following clip from an episode of the Big Bang Theory in which Sheldon shows his friendship algorithm in the form of a flowchart. (Thanks to Phil Smith for suggesting this one via CAS)
The Big Bang Theory - The friendship algorithm
​Introduction:

Explain that an algorithm is simply a sequence of steps for completing a task. Also explain that algorithms can be represented in many ways, the most commonly used being flow charts and pseudocode. 

Follow this by going through an example on the board (see below).
Image showing common flowchart symbols: an oval for start/end, an arrow for flow direction, a parallelogram for input/output, a rectangle for a process, and a diamond for a decision.
​Next, display a set of the most commonly used flowchart symbols on the board and explain what they mean (see below). Challenge the students to give examples of how each symbol might be used – giving prompts where necessary.
Image depicting an example flowchart solution for a making the tea algorithm.
Activity 1: (Interactive Challenge)

Follow the introduction with two matching exercises (Source: clickschool.co.uk - see below. Note: requires flash. 

In the first matching exercise, students must match the flowchart symbols to their names. In the second exercise, students are challenged to complete a given flowchart by placing the events in the correct order.
matching_activity.zip
File Size: 68 kb
File Type: zip
Download File

​Activity 2:

With input from the students, go through the solution to the second matching exercise - “going to school”. Next, ask students to suggest what daily routines are missing from the example.

Place students into small groups and ask them to improve the algorithm for getting up and going to school in the morning (in the form of a flowchart). 

Tip: You can get the students to write down any algorithm (e.g. making the tea, tying a shoelace, making a jam sandwich etc.) however, I find, the more complex the algorithm, the easier it is to explain the need for sub-routines later in the lesson. The going to school algorithm is great for demonstrating this as you can have several sub-routines for brushing your teeth, taking a shower, making breakfast etc. Also, try to encourage your students to make their algorithms as detailed as possible - this will also help with explaining the need for sub-routines later. 


Activity 3:

Whilst the students are busy creating their flowcharts, wander around the classroom and pick out the group with most complex solution then invite that group to replicate their flowchart on the whiteboard and explain their solution to the rest of the class. As the group explain their solution, with the aid of the class, correct any errors and highlight any misconceptions. 

Wait for the group to fill the whiteboard, at which point, stop them and ask the rest of the class to suggest how the solution could be simplified / cleaned up. This is where you introduce the flowchart symbol for sub-routines (see below).
Picture
​Activity 4:

Ask the students to suggest the possible benefits of using sub-routines and wait for answers such as “easier to understand” and “several people can work on the same algorithm at the same time”. Finish by asking the students to modify their solutions to include at least one sub-routine.


Resources:

The friendship algorithm - Clip from an episode of the Big Bang Theory in which Sheldon shows his friendship algorithm in the form of a flowchart.

BBC Byte Size (System Flowcharts) 

Algorithms in pseudocode and flow diagrams - Lesson plan on algorithms in pseudocode and flow diagrams. 

Algorithms in pseudocode and flow diagrams - This video, presented by Clive Beale of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, looks at good practice in the techniques of writing pseudocode and producing flow diagrams.

Teach-ICT (Flowcharts)



Alternative Activities:

There are several ways in which you can introduce flowcharts. Here are some alternatives to the ones I suggested:

1. Jam Sandwich activity.

In this exercise, students are asked to create an algorithm from set commands to program their teacher (sandwich bot) to make a jam sandwich. Students must write a set of working instructions, using commands such as Pick Up and Put Down, which their teacher has to follow precisely in order to make a jam sandwich. This task can be easily adapted to incorporate flowcharts and is great for introducing algorithms (at any age)! To find out more, check out this lesson plan, courtesy of Phil Bagge, CAS Primary Master Teacher (@baggiepr): Jam Sandwich Algorithm (programming teacher bot)

2. Making the tea starter.

This is a starter activity I use to introduce algorithms. Print and cut out the attached instructions for making a cup of tea. Instruct students to put the instructions in the correct order. The “Making the Tea” exercise has been doing the rounds for sometime. I remember doing it at college back in the early 90’s. What I find interesting is seeing all the different variations for such as simple task. Extension task: If your students are feeling really confident, you could challenge them to create a BS 6008 compliant algorithm for making the tea!
making_the_tea_print.docx
File Size: 42 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

making_the_tea_solution.docx
File Size: 43 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

making_the_tea_task.docx
File Size: 42 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

​3. More flowchart tasks.

Here are a set of Flowchart tasks for simple activities (making tea, coffee, pizza, lasagna etc.) courtesy of David Barnard (via CAS). Includes a differentiated version of the making tea exercise. (Requires you to login to the CAS community - FREE)


Tags: GCSE Computer Science, Algorithms, Pseudocode, Computing
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.