Teaching article
A sequence follows order; a conditional selects an action
Show how a condition changes which command runs.
Run the same input through a fixed instruction set and one containing a decision. Comparing the paths shows what the condition changes, provided the command meanings and starting setup remain consistent.
A fixed instruction always places the token left; a conditional depends on the marker.
Explain why this branch ran
Execute the fixed sequence. Execute the conditional version. Compare paths.
Trace the same input through both instruction sets. This shows whether a changed path results from the condition or another difference.
Different notation needs an explicit key.
What caused the alternative action? Trace with coloured pointers.
Resources
- Human Robot Commands – Coding Without Screens Printable Game — Check the command conventions before using the sequence or debugging task.
Further reading
- CS Unplugged — Kidbots and algorithm activities
- Australian Curriculum Version 9 — Technologies overview
Read next
- Break a robot delivery task into connected subtasks
- Sorting requires one rule applied all the way through
- Two correct routes can be compared by different criteria
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