CS Unplugged: Sorting Networks
Use the Sorting Networks! offline activity to explore how a number of computers can be networked to complete a task faster than a single computer. Students in groups are the 'network of computers' and sort random numbers into order. The task combines knowledge of place value in number and computation in computer science. Support your teaching and learning with video clips and other related resources.
Additional details
| Year band(s) | 3-4, 5-6 |
|---|---|
| Format | Web page |
| Core and overarching concepts | Digital systems, Computational thinking |
| Australian Curriculum Digital Technologies code(s) |
AC9TDI4P01
Define problems with given design criteria and by co-creating user stories
AC9TDI4P02
Follow and describe algorithms involving sequencing, comparison operators (branching) and iteration
AC9TDI6P01
Define problems with given or co developed design criteria and by creating user stories
AC9TDI6P02
Design algorithms involving multiple alternatives (branching) and iteration |
| Keywords | Networks, Computation, Sorting |
| Organisation | University of Canterbury, New Zealand |
| Copyright | Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
Related resources
-
Bebras Mini Challenges assessment
The free Bebras Mini Challenges is a set of short questions, called Bebras tasks.
-
Understanding digital systems (Years 3-4)
Simple ideas for learning about digital systems in the classroom.
-
Classroom ideas: Micro:bit Environmental Measurement (visual and general-purpose programming) (Years 5-8)
Investigating environmental data with Micro:bits: This tutorial shows the coding needed for digital solutions of some environmental issues that can be created using pseudocode and visual programming.
-
Computational thinking in the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies
This youtube video provides examples of computational thinking related to relevant contexts for a range of year bands.
-
Computational thinking poster
A poster/infographic that gives a brief overview of the concepts related to computational thinking.
-
DIY micro:bit metal detector (Years 5-6)
This activity shows one way to incorporate Digital Technologies into a goldfields unit in an authentic way using a micro:bit.
-
Digital systems cards
These cards can be used for activities to support building knowledge and understanding of digital systems with a focus on the components of digital systems; in particular, hardware and peripheral devices.
-
Robots, data and computational thinking (Years 2-4)
This classroom resource comprises four worksheets to accompany a lesson on data and computational thinking. These materials are designed for teachers to use simple line-following robots (Ozobots) to engage students in the computational thinking process and working with data.