Hands–on Gadgets to Facilitate Algorithmic Thinking for Beginners

I. Introduction Algorithms are at the heart of all computing. In the increasingly information and computation driven world, it is important to have a good grasp of algorithmic techniques for the development of solutions to problems in various domains such as Engineering, a beginner in Programming/Computing, it is extremely important to develop the skills of systematic development of precise steps of solutions to problems. The steps in the algorithmic solution to a given problem consists of: (a) clearly stating the problem; (b) evaluating and choosing the appropriate algorithm design technique suited to the problem; (c) developing the solution using the algorithm; (d) proving the correctness of the solution; (e) analysing the solution complexity; (e) implementing the solution in a program; (f) running and testing the program. One of the ways of conveying the notions of algorithmic solutions for beginners and for non-specialists in Computer Science, as proposed in several studies, is use of appropriately designed hands–on gadgetry. Participants working individually and/or in groups get an insight into some problems and the complexities of their solutions.