Sequencing

Learning Intentions
To understand sequencing and pattern recognition as key parts of computational thinking and apply both to solve LightBot puzzles by creating and refining accurate sequences of instructions.
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What is Sequencing?
Sequencing is all about doing the right things, in the right order.

​Imagine that you're making a cake: first you get the ingredients, then you combine and mix them, then you put them into a tin, then the tin goes in the oven.
If you do this process out of order, you're not going to get a cake!

It's the same way with code, if we use a wrong piece of code, or if we get things out of order, it won't do what we intended!

Task:

• Open Light bot by clicking on the Adobe Flash folder on your desktop
• Open "Flash Player"
• Click File and open:
  https://s3.amazonaws.com/lightbot/lightbot-codehour.swf

Make your way through the "Basics" puzzles. As you complete these puzzles, think about what command block you are selecting, and the order that you put them in.
Take a screenshot of the completed episodes and put them in OneNote.
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Success Criteria

• I can explain what sequencing means and why the order of instructions matters.
• I can create, test and debug a working sequence that guides the robot to light up all required tiles.
• I can identify repeating patterns in a level and use them to build a clearer or more efficient sequence.
• I can explain how recognising a pattern helped me solve the problem.

Pattern Recognition

What is Pattern Recognition?
Pattern recognition is the ability to notice when things repeat or follow a regular structure. Once we spot a pattern, we can use it to solve problems more efficiently instead of treating every step as brand new.

In computational thinking, recognising patterns helps us write shorter, clearer instructions and avoid unnecessary repetition.

​Have a look at the image on the right. What do you notice?

Did you see how the "blue/yellow" blocks are all together in lines?
If you're able to find a repeating pattern then you can use the pattern to build a cleaner solution, instead of writing the same blocks many times.

In LightBot we can make use of the "procedure" block (P1 and P2). In the image on the right you can see the "PROC1" area - anything that is in this area will happen when we use a P1. Because there are three blue blocks all in a row it makes sense to have one piece of code that we can repeat to light them all up.

Task:
Continue making your way through the "Procedures" and "Loops" levels. Look out for patterns in these levels and try to make code that makes use of them!
Remember to take screenshots of levels as you finish them.