Describing Algorithms through Flowcharts

The purpose this lesson is to teach students to think through their algorithms and describe them through flowcharts. We do this by developing a flowchart for something they know how to do. The key is that it must include some sort of decision.

Note: We are hoping that our interviews will give us a good algorithm to develop. How to make a friend is probably a good one.

• Students will be able to write out their algorithms
• Students will understand the importance of decisions

Inspired by prior work:

In Big Bang Theory, Sheldon, who is the epitome of socially awkward, decides that to get more time on the supercomputer, he should befriend the post-doc who runs the computers. He creates a flowchart to express his algorithm for how to make a friend: Google image search results As you can see, this is not SO far off from how a child would make a friend. This could be adapted to a classroom setting.

First start with brainstorming the different things you can do. There are no wrong answers (except for potentially inappropriate ones). List the ideas in any order on the board.

In the next step, start organizing the thoughts. Ask the student which item they would do first. If it is a question, then it goes in a diamond. Place that at the top of the chart in a box. Then draw an arrow downwards. Then ask what the likely outcomes are.

Exercise for the students (pre-, post- survey):