Transcript Intelligent paper? Invisible Palming! So what is an algorithm?

The intelligent piece of paper:
so what is an algorithm?
Prof Paul Curzon
Queen Mary, University of London
With support from Google,
D of E and the Mayor of London
www.teachinglondoncomputing.org
Twitter: @TeachingLDNComp
Aims
• Give you deeper understanding of core topics
– What is an algorithm
– Computational thinking
– in the context of Artificial intelligence
• Give you practical ways to teach computing in
a fun, thought provoking way
– away from computers, focus on concepts
• Linked activity sheets and booklets can be
downloaded from our website:
www.teachinglondoncomputing.org
What do we mean by
Artificial Intelligence?
• Computing is about making intelligent
machines
• How is it done?…with algorithms
• What do we mean by human intelligence?
• If we identify abilities in humans as
intelligent, we can then build machines to
have these abilities.
1
I have a piece of paper that is
more intelligent than anyone
in this room!
Perfect Instructions?
I am X… and I go first…
Move 1: Go in a corner.
Move 2:
IF the other player did not go there
THEN go in the opposite corner to your move 1.
ELSE go in a free corner.
…
Algorithm beats humans
at their own game
1997, IBM's Deep Blue Supercomputer beat
reigning World Chess Champion, Garry
Kasparov
…Following an algorithm
…brute force searching
"I'm not afraid to admit that I'm afraid,” -Kasparov
Algorithms
1
• Algorithms are:
– sequences of steps
– to be followed in a given order
– that achieve some desired effect
• Everything computers do involves
following algorithms written by humans
• They give computers the power to be
‘intelligent’.
Computational Thinking
Lessons
• Algorithmic thinking
• Logical Thinking
• Abstraction
Summary
Algorithms and algorithmic thinking can
be introduced in lots of fun ways
• Away from computers!
– with simple games like noughts
and crosses
– magic
– puzzles
More support
On our website to support this session:
• Activity sheets
• Story sheets
• Slides
Details of more worskshops/courses
• free unplugged sessions
• subsidised courses (e.g. GCSE programming)
www.teachinglondoncomputing.org
Twitter: @TeachingLDNComp
Together we are
Teaching London Computing
Thank you!
www.teachinglondoncomputing.org
Twitter: @TeachingLDNComp