Computational Thinking:Concept and example in Vietnamese
new curriculum
Assoc. Dr. Nguyen Chi Thanh
University of Education
Vietnam National University at Hanoi

PlanIntroduction
What is computational thinking (CT),
Algorithmic thinking (AT); Relation with MT
CT&AT in VN actual curriculum
CT&AT in VN new curriculum
ExamplesCommonly identified 21st Century Skills
Creativityandinnovation
ProblemSolving andsociocultural skills

Criticalthinking

Communication

ICT literacy(CT, ST…)
Collaboration

Seymour Papert (29/2/1928 – 31/7/2016)
Computational thinking and LOGO language

CT isthe thought processes involved informulating problems and theirsolutions so that the solutions are
represented in a form that can beeffectively carried out by an
information-processing agent.”“The solutions can be carried out by
a human or machine, or moregenerally, by combinations ofhumans and machines.”

Prof. Jannette M. Wing
Corporate vice president of Microsoft researchSomething to consider
The type of thinking required by citizens for
successful participation in a society is related to
the raw products available and the production
processes being used to solve problems.

Beyond Information Technology
Knowing about data and ideas andusing/combining these resources to solveproblems.
Move students beyond using tools andinformation to creating tools and information
The raw materials require thought processes
about manipulating data, using abstractions,computational thinking.

What is Computational Thinking?
Asking: How difficult is the problem?
Asking: How can it be solved?
Asking: How can technology be applied to theproblem?
Asking: What computational strategies might
be employed?
Asking: What is the power and limit of humanand computer intelligence?

Why is it important?
It moves students beyond technology literacy
It creates problem solvers instead of software
technicians
It emphasizes creating knowledge rather thanusing information
It presents endless possibilities for creatively
solving problems
It enhances the problem-solving techniques
you already teachWhat is happening in the World?
“Computational” has become part ofMath and statistics
Every Science
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Nanotechnology …

Economics
Arts and recreation
Engineering and design …

Algorithmic thinking
Algorithmic thinking occurs
when someone observes
repeated patterns inproblems and thengeneralizes a set of rules for
dealing with such situations(so that one need not think
this through anew each timethat problem occurs).
(Roberto, 2020)

Computational Thinking Concepts
Algorithm—the kingpin term
Data—variables, data bases, Queue
Abstraction—conceptualizing, modularizing
Query—search, conditionals, Boolean
Sensing & Feedback—robotics
Iterations—loops, recursion
Systems

Curriculum reforms in Vietnam since the 1945-theindependent era up to now1946

1946 reform: Hoang Xuan Han curriculum• This has been influenced by French curriculum

Since 1950

1950 reform: influenced by Russian curriculum

Since 1980

1980 reform: 1 program; 3 maths textbooks

Since 2003

2000 reform: 1 program; 1 textbooks Actualcurriculum

Since 20152018 reform: 1 program; several textbooks

Feb-2017

Characteristics of the new curriculumA

5 core values
1) Patriotism2) Compassion

To develop
student’s
competencies

3) Hard workand values

5) Responsabilities
4) Honesty
Feb-2018

Characteristics of the new curriculum
Competencies

A

10 core competencies
Commoncompetencies- Self autonomous- Collaboration andstudent’s
communicationcompetencies - Problem solving
and creativities
To develop

and values

Specifics competenciesSpecial
competencies forgiftedstudents

1) Language2) Calculation
3) Understanding on Natureand Society4) Technology
5) Informatic6) Esthetic

Feb-20

7) Health19

Introduction: 2018 education reform- Comprehensive and radical educational reform- New curriculum- Implementation Schedule
Grade 1: 2020-2021; Grade 6: 2021-2022; Grade 10: 2022-2023 and so on
The new curriculum
is expected todevelop the skills ofstudents and bringout their creativesides; to have more
out-of-school andcreative experience,
rather than onlytheory.

Feb-20The new curriculum
will include
compulsory practicalactivities for pupils toexperience. Activities
for primary schools
will focus ondeveloping their life
skills, soft skills,
relationships withfriends, teachers andfamily.

Meanwhile,
secondary education
will focus on
activities for socialand community
services and joboriented activities.

20

Informatics: Actual curriculum

Feb-20Elementary school: non compulsory;
optional from the grade 3

Grade 10 (70periods / year)

Lower secondary school: noncompulsory

Grade 11 (52,5periods / year)

Upper secondary school: compulsory

Grade 12 (52,5periods / year)
21

Informatics: Actual curriculum

Grade 10
Generalities +computerarchitecture +Office: word

Feb-20

Grade 11
Programing:
Pascallanguage

Grade 12
Office: ppt,excel; Internet22

In the new informatic curriculum:
12/2018
Computer thinking: The process of identifying computational aspects
in the world around us, thereby helping to solve the problem, suchas knowing how to divide the problem into manageable parts and togive algorithms to solve them. Computer thinking is a basic andnecessary skill for everyone, not just for computer scientists.
Computer thinking is a cognitive and logical reasoning process tosolve the problem, which is the ability to:+ Decomposition of work and data
+ The generalization, identification and usage of patterns+ Abstraction, choice of representation+ Conditions for evaluation and estimation+ Algorithm design
Computer thinking not only allows students to access computer topics but
more importantly, it develops students' thinking skills to solve problems inlearning and life.

Informatics: New curriculum
Grades 3, 4, 5: 35 periods/year

Grades 6, 7, 8, 9: 35 periods / year

Grades 10, 11, 12: 70 periods/year

Detail: Generalities, Topics, Teaching method, Assessment of the new curriculum
Feb-2024

Informatics: New curriculumInformatics: New curriculumInformatics: New curriculum

So what happen in classroom?
Computer science/technology
MathScience
Social studies
Language arts
Fine arts…

Some real examples
Analyzing dataSimulations
Modeling
Data manipulation
Digital manipulatives & illustrators

Someexamples

Examples in mathematics
Geometrical constructions
Solve quadratic equations
Solve approximatively equations
Calculate values of functions in specificinterval with given disctance between 2
consecutive values…

Examples
Computational modelExamplesFeb-20

34

Concepts useful for teaching

Add to your own ICT knowledge.
Help students to learn uses of ICT torepresent and help solve problems within thevarious disciplines.
Help students gain some underlying and/or
introductory knowledge of computer science.
Use terms associated with computing ineveryday activities.
Ask lots of ICT questions; encourage students
to ask lots of questions and plan strategies tosolve them.

What it’s not…
It’s not just more technical details for using
softwareIt’s not thinking like a computer
It’s not programming (necessarily)
It doesn’t always require a computer
It’s not yet one more thing to add to yourcurriculumHow is it different from otherlearning strategies?
Not just procedural
Not just constructionist
Not just integrated

I. Characteristics of the new curriculum
Student portrait

A

nướ
Yêu

cNhân áiTo develop
student’scompetencies

5 core values

10 competenciesChăm chỉand values

Feb-2038

I. Characteristics of the new curriculum

B

Basic education
TeachingsubjectPrimaryeducation

1) Vietnamese 5) Nature and society (Grades 1, 2, 3)2) Maths
6) History and Geography (Grades 4, 5)3) Moral edu. 7) Sciences (Grades 4, 5)
4) Art edu. 8) Foreign languages 1 (Grades 3, 4, 5)9) Informatic and Technology (Grades 3, 4, 5)

Teaching
subjects

10) Physical education
11) Experienced activities
Feb-20

Optional

Ethnic languages, Foreign languages 1 (Grades 1, 2) 39

I. Characteristics of the new curriculum

B

Basic education
Teaching
subjects

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)

Lower
secondary edu.

Literature
Mathematics
Language 1
Civic education
Sciences
History and Geography
Art education

Teachingsubjects

Feb-208) Informatic9) Technology
10) Physical education
11) Experienced activities, Career orientation
12) Local education
Optional

Ethnic language, Language 240

II. Characteristics of the new curriculum

BCareer oriented education – upper secondary
education
Group of teaching subjects
Compulsory
Elective subjects

Teaching
subjects

Feb-20

Humanities
Sciences and Technology
Technology and Art
Optional

Teaching subjects
Literature, Maths , Language 1,
Physical education, Military education,
Experienced activities, Local education
To select 5 subjects, at least 1 by group
Geography, History, Civic education
Physic, Chemistry, Biology
Technology, Informatic, Art
Ethnic group, Language 241

42

An example of curriculum analysis of 2000:
Informatic within maths curriculum
FranceVietnam

Variable informatic: very few exercices
3To Belin
write an algorithm:
Veryfew exercices
Déclic2
Bréal0« To Belin
execute »1a program:More exercices
Déclic2To write an algorithm:
M1
0More algorithm but only about on iterative
M2algorithm
4M30« To execute»2a program:
M1
Few exercices
M2
19Bréal0M35Belin33

M1

1- Déclic
There areM2 algorithm
322 algorithm but no teaching- ThereM3programing
2
Bréal are11 program but no teaching