Algorithm Development Activities

To develop programming skills, it is important to concentrate on the development of logic of the program i.e. steps to solve the problem rather than on the syntax of the programming language. Once the problem solving steps are clear it can be programmed using any programming language. With this view, I have tried some activities in the class room to make students develop algorithms and flowcharts. Here in this blog I would be sharing my reflections on this activity. Activity - Sequential Execution Each group is required to write the set of instructions in natural language to pick the chalk box kept near the window from the place where they are sitting. After completing the first task, one student from each group will read out the instructions and other to follow it to check the correctness of steps and sequencing. If it is not correct, the group will analyze the problem and correct it. Activity -  Concept of variable and exchanging the values Each group will be given three bowls of three different colours, one bowl containing silver thermocol balls, second with coloured thermocol balls and third is empty. Students were asked to exchange the contents of two bowls. After performing this activity they  noted the steps of execution on the given worksheet. Then I introduced the concept of variables referring each bowl as a variable that hold something. Here in case of Computers it is one that hold the value.   Through this activity, I found it easy to explain the concepts of variable and how the values of these variables can be interchanged. Students were easily able to note the steps to exchange the values of two variables.