How does advanced computational thinking differ from basic programming skills?

Advanced computational thinking involves problem-solving, system design and understanding human behaviour, unlike basic programming which is code writing.

Advanced computational thinking is a higher level of cognitive ability that involves understanding complex problems, designing systems to solve those problems, and predicting the behaviour of the systems. It's about understanding the problem and the steps needed to solve it, rather than just knowing how to write code. This involves skills such as abstraction, algorithmic thinking, decomposition, and pattern recognition. These skills allow you to break down complex problems into manageable parts, identify patterns and trends, and develop solutions that can be automated.

On the other hand, basic programming skills are about understanding the syntax and semantics of a specific programming language and being able to write code in that language. This involves understanding data types, control structures, functions, and other basic elements of a programming language. While these skills are essential for writing code, they do not necessarily involve the higher-level problem-solving skills associated with advanced computational thinking.

For example, a programmer with basic skills might be able to write a program that sorts a list of numbers, but they might struggle to design a system that can sort large amounts of data efficiently. This is where advanced computational thinking comes in. A person with these skills would be able to understand the problem, design a system that can handle the data, and predict how the system will behave under different conditions.

Furthermore, advanced computational thinking also involves understanding human behaviour and how people interact with systems. This is important for designing systems that are user-friendly and meet the needs of their users. For example, a person with advanced computational thinking skills might be able to design a website that is easy to navigate and provides users with the information they need, while a person with basic programming skills might only be able to create a basic website without considering the user experience.

In conclusion, while basic programming skills are about writing code, advanced computational thinking is about understanding problems, designing systems, and predicting behaviour. Both are important for different aspects of computer science, but they involve different skills and ways of thinking.