AQA 7517 4.4.1.9: Decomposition
The free BugBot lessons that teach this point, a robot to try it on, and the past-paper questions that test it.
What it covers
At GCSE you broke a delivery job into smaller parts and drew a structure diagram (F4.4). At A level this becomes three linked ideas: decomposition takes a problem apart, composition builds a solution back up from pieces, and automation puts the finished model to work. OCR calls the planning side of this thinking procedurally.
- Decomposition
- Composition
- Automation
Or do it in the simulator, with tasks that mark themselves
Lessons that teach it
- A2.6 Decomposition, composition and automation Recursion and computational thinking
Thinking procedurally, compound procedures and compound data, and putting a model into action. - A2.10 Project: out of the dead end Recursion and computational thinking
Model a maze, solve it by recursive backtracking, and drive the robot out along the route.
Try it on a robot
The task from A2.6 Decomposition, composition and automation, running here. Change the program and press Run.
The specification is AQA's own document; this page says which of our lessons teach point 4.4.1.9 and is not endorsed by the board.