Unplugged activities offer opportunities for children to develop their understanding of algorithms and debugging. For example; Graph paper programming, Relay programming or My Robot Friends.
Scratch starter projects offers examples of programs that children could be challenged to explain. There are also paper debugging challenges set in Scratch here, or online here, though it may be best to work with programs and bugs that children have written!
There is a useful progression in debugging ladder here that may help in identifying next steps in moving towards a more systematic approach to debugging.
Use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs
Key stage 2 pupils should be able to explain the thinking behind their algorithms, talking through the steps and explaining why they’ve solved a problem the way they have. They also need to be able to look at a simple programming project and explain what’s going on. This is made easier with languages like Scratch, Kodu and Logo, which feature an on-screen sprite or turtle.
The immediate feedback helps pupils to understand and debug their programs. Pupils might also be expected to look at someone else’s algorithm and explain how it does what it does.
Thinking through programs and algorithms helps develop pupils’ abilities to think logically and algorithmically, which leads to planned debugging of code rather than just a trial-and-error approach.
