- View more resources from this publisher
Queen Mary University of London
Tooltip
These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.
Swap Puzzle
Using a set of simple ‘swap puzzles’, this CS4FN activity helps students to learn, fundamentally, what an algorithm is and how they can be made more efficient. Students are encouraged to create algorithms for solving the puzzles which can be used by future players to win, with no understanding of the game, in as few moves as possible.
The activity challenges the students to create a set of instructions to solve the puzzle, then to work to improve its efficiency. In doing so they will discover that different algorithms exist to solve the same problem, but that some are better than others.
Large, playable versions of the puzzle are printed and cut-out. These are given to groups of students and a challenge set to develop an algorithm that solves the problem in a target time. They are encouraged to test and improve the algorithm. And to consider the choices and mistakes that can be made at each turn.
All the printable components of the game are provided – these should be prepared ahead of the lesson.
Show health and safety information
Please be aware that resources have been published on the website in the form that they were originally supplied. This means that procedures reflect general practice and standards applicable at the time resources were produced and cannot be assumed to be acceptable today. Website users are fully responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is in accordance with current regulations related to health and safety and that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out.
Downloads
-
Swap puzzle (teachers' notes) 1.38 MB
-
Swap puzzle (presentation) 104.5 KB
Show downloads
-
Swap puzzle (teachers' notes) 1.38 MB -
Swap puzzle (presentation) 104.5 KB
Download all files as a .zip841.28 KB
Information on the permitted use of this resource is covered by the Category Three Content section in STEM Learning’s Terms and conditions.
