Lesson 4.

OPEN YOUR LEARNING BLOG

In this lesson we are going to write an algorithm and a flowchart for our program.

STARTER

Go to the say something's Scratch Card and make the sprite say something:

http://cdn.scratch.mit.edu/scratchr2/static/__918a707f50669ee1f59b2caa79f49bb6__//pdfs/help/04_v2_SaySomething.pdf

When you have done this try practising making your sprite follow the mouse:

http://cdn.scratch.mit.edu/scratchr2/static/__918a707f50669ee1f59b2caa79f49bb6__//pdfs/help/06_v2_FollowtheMouse.pdf

LERNING OUTCOMES

You will learn to:

Write an algorithm for your program

Write a flowchart for your program

Make the sprite say something

Make the sprite follow the mouse

WRITING ALGORITHMS

Remember your algorithm is a very simple step by step set of instructions for what your program is going to do. Let's remind ourselves about what an algorithm looks like:

http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_computing/ocr/216_programming/algorithms/miniweb/pg4.htm

TASK 1

Now try to write an algorithm for your program.

FLOWCHARTS

A more visual way of presenting an algorithm is to use a flowchart:

http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_computing/ocr/216_programming/algorithms/miniweb/pg7.htm

FLOWCHART SYMBOLS

I would suggest that you will need symbols for the following:

A process

An input

A decision

Connectors

Also don't forget that you connect the symbols on a flowchart with arrows with directional heads.

HOMEWORK

Make sure that you have finished your algorithm and flowchart for your program.

FINAL TASK FOR TODAY'S LESSON

In your learning blog write down three things that you have learnt today.

L3-L4 Provide a definition of the term algorithm and give an example of part of your program.  Identify the key symbols used in a flowchart.  Try to find an example of a flowchart for a computer program.