Analysis refers to the ability to break a skill or conceptual structure into its components. Synthesis is the building of complex skills or conceptual structures from simple parts. Some games and simulations are aimed at helping students develop these skills. Creativity involves divergent thinking. As is the case with the development of cognitive skills and problem-solving skills, students can explore their creative potential by using software that is designed specifically for that purpose or by creating their own unique and interesting programs.
Some programs encourage students to write poetry, compose music, or draw pictures.
Other programs show students how to develop strategies for creative writing. Teaching children to write computer programs also helps to develop thinking skills. Students are taught that a computer is very similar to the human mind. The steps that a computer goes through in running a program are similar to the step a person goes through in solving a problem of logic. When students learn to see the analogies between the computer and the brain, they begin to see how they can apply computer logic to other kinds of problem solving.