Activities: Flowcharts: Simple Instructions

Create a simple flowchart to show a sequence of events/instructions, eg

1. Draw a chart to show how to walk from where you are now to get the book from the table and back to your original position.
2. Follow the flowchart instructions exactly as though you are a robot and don't know how to do the task without instructions. 

It could look something like this...

Stand up

Walk 10 steps to the table

Pick up the book

Turn around

Walk 10 steps back to your chair

Sit down

Were the steps in order? Where they all correct? Where is the book now? Did you leave any steps out?

Try some longer tasks.

If you have a group, swap flowcharts and follow each others instructions.

Does that make it easier to notice missing or incorrect information?

What happens if the person who makes the flowchart assumes the robot knows more than they do?

What would happen if a flowchart was wrong in a factory?

Now let's add a complication.