Flowing Flowcharts

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1 Objectives

Developing Algorithms learning strand, specifically:

  • develop problem solving skills by decomposition
  • learn how to represent algorithms using flowchart
  • Understand how abstraction can help solving complex problems

Developing Programming and Development learning strand, specifically:

  • implement solutions using sequencing and repetition
  • develop further understanding that programming bridges the gap between algorithmic solutions and computers

2 Sequencing

Learn It - Sequencing

  • In the last lesson we looked at a program called Flowol that lets us use flowcharts to control and interact with situations called "mimics".
  • Today we are going to use Flowol to create a sequence of instructions to solve certain problems.
  • Computers follow instructions or sequences programmed into them. A flowchart can be used to help design a sequence. Actions can be ordered, reordered or removed if no longer necessary.

Task 1 - Traffic Lights

  • Look at this video to see the sequence of lights on a traffic light.
  • Copy this table by selecting it by clicking and dragging you mouse from the top left ot the bottom right.
  • Paste it into a PowerPoint slide and complete the rest of the instructions, use the video above for help.
Red light ON
DELAY for __ seconds
Red light ON and amber light ON
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3 Algorithms with Flowcharts

Revise It - flowcharts

  • Remember that a flowchart is a type of diagram that represents an algorithm, workflow or process, showing the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting them with arrows.
  • Each shape represent some steps in the algorithm:

flowChartShapes.png

  • The following is a simple example of using flowchart to describe the steps to a simple problem of determing if an user's input numbers are odd or not.

Try It

  • Try your sequencing skills by turning your table of steps from the traffic lights into a flowchart in PowerPoint.
  • Use the image below to start you off, then complete your flowchart.

silver_example_week5.png

Badge It - Silver

Learning Strand: Algorithms

  • Finish your sequence for the problem by finishing all steps required to reach a solution.
  • Create a flowchart in Powerpoint using appropriate symbols for your steps.
  • Upload your flowchart to www.bournetolearn.com, Week 5 Silver for Problem Solving.

4 Using Flowol for Flowcharts

Learn It - Double Traffic Lights

  • Launch the application Flowol 4, click on File->New and you should see something like the following:

flowol-1.PNG

  • Select the Bridge Lights mimic by clicking on it
  • Follow this video to make a flowchart that controls one set of lights.
  • Your flowchart should look like this after following the video:

week5_halfwaytogold.PNG

Badge It - Gold

Learning Strand: Algorithms

  • You're halfway to the Gold badge, but at the moment only one set of lights work.
  • See if you can work out how to make the second set of lights work with the first by showing a red light when the first shows green, amber at the same time and green when the first shows red.
  • Your finished Gold badge work should make your lights look like this video, if they don't then try again.
  • HINT: Click on one of your Output blocks, you can change both sets of lights using one block.
  • If you get stuck, remember to ask your teacher for help.

Badge It - Platinum

Learning Strand: Algorithms

  • Now you are familar with how Flowol works.
  • For your Platinum badge you need to download the PDF file at the link below:

Right click here then Save Link As to save the file to your Computer Science folder.

  • Open the file in a program called Adobe Acrobat, right click the file in your Problem solving folder and select "Open With" then "Adobe Acrobat".
  • Follow the instructions and complete the 3 flowcharts it instructs you to complete.
  • Then screenshot your flowcharts and upload to the Platinum badge for Week 5.

Validate