What is computational thinking?

Computational thinking is a way of breaking down a solution to a problem into steps that you can program into a computer for it to solve. When you use computational thinking, you break down the thought process into smaller steps that follow each other in a logical order. You can employ computational thinking to actually program a series of instructions into a computer, or you can use it as a thought exercise that teaches you how to process an issue into the simplest steps possible.

Why is it important to learn computational thinking?

Computational thinking doesn't merely apply to those who program computers. You can rely on the concepts of computational thinking in your life and career. Computational thinking allows you to make sense of complex issues and break them down into simple steps to help you understand and solve them more effectively. It helps you to sort out relevant facts from details that don't matter and develop logical solutions to problems. Proponents of computational thinking insist that you can become more innovative when you apply these principles in your everyday life.

How does computational thinking affect my career?

On the surface, it's easy to see how computational thinking could affect your career if you're considering switching to a job in computer science. Computational thinking is essential to coding and other types of programming, and you can take those skills into that field if you're interested in a career change. You can also put the principles of computational thinking to use in your career in other fields. Learning computational thinking allows you to simplify and solve complex problems efficiently and see other solutions that you may not have been able to see otherwise. Computational thinking can equip you to become a better problem solver no matter where you work.

How can online courses help me learn computational thinking?

Whether you're just beginning to learn the basics of computational thinking or you're trying to understand and apply it at a deeper level, you can benefit from online learning. Online courses allow you to learn from some of the best professors in the field, and you can learn at your own pace and at a schedule that works for you. You can take your newfound knowledge of computational thinking into your workplace, be confident in what you've learned, and use it to improve your career and life as a whole.

What are the benefits of taking an online Computational Thinking course?

Online Computational Thinking courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Computational Thinking skills. Choose from a wide range of Computational Thinking courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Computational Thinking courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Computational Thinking, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Computational Thinking Courses - Learn Computational Thinking Online

Explore the Computational Thinking Course Catalog

Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Microsoft AI Product Manager
Skills you'll gain: Competitive Analysis, Market Research, User Story, Product Roadmaps, Usability, Persona Development, Product Development, Market Analysis, New Product Development, Product Management, Product Lifecycle Management, Design Thinking, User Interface (UI) Design, Market Opportunities, Business Research, User Experience Design, Product Quality (QA/QC), Quality Assurance, Product Strategy, Agile Product Development
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Google Cloud
Generative AI Leader
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI Agents, Generative AI, Google Cloud Platform, Google Workspace, Data Management, Productivity Software, Cloud Solutions, Unstructured Data, Large Language Modeling, Workflow Management, Data Governance, Strategic Thinking, Cloud Infrastructure, Information Privacy, Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Organizational Strategy, Data Ethics, Technology Strategies
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Northeastern University
Business Strategy and Value Creation In Action
Skills you'll gain: Business Strategy, Corporate Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Strategic Planning, Organizational Strategy, Business, Competitive Analysis, Business Management, Growth Strategies, Strategic Decision-Making, Value Propositions, Market Analysis, Market Dynamics, Innovation, Regulation and Legal Compliance
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
Effective Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
Skills you'll gain: Creative Problem-Solving, Problem Solving, Decision Making, Creativity, Organizational Effectiveness, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Solutions, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Professional Development, Root Cause Analysis, Personal Development, Adaptability, Analytical Skills
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
7.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Pennsylvania
Gamification
Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Solution Design, Design Thinking, Human Centered Design, Drive Engagement, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Employee Engagement, Organizational Development, Behavioral Economics, Emerging Technologies, Risk Analysis, Customer Engagement, Psychology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
SkillUp EdTech
Generative AI for Java and Spring Development
Skills you'll gain: Restful API, Spring Framework, Natural Language Processing, Application Deployment, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Application Programming Interface (API), Java, Spring Boot, Test Tools, Development Environment, Computer Vision, Deep Learning
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Starweaver
Change Management for GenAI Integration
Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Engagement, Change Management, Organizational Change, Business Transformation, Generative AI, Innovation, Digital Transformation, Leadership and Management, Technology Strategies, Organizational Strategy, Employee Engagement, Employee Training, Business Ethics, Business Strategy, Business Metrics, Risk Mitigation
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Strategic Planning for Social Media
Skills you'll gain: Social Media Strategy, Social Media Content, Media Planning, Social Media Marketing, Strategic Communication, Paid media, Content Strategy, Digital Media Strategy, Earned Media, Owned Media, Brand Strategy, Content Performance Analysis, Content Creation, Shared Media, Customer Engagement, Target Audience, Branding
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
BITS Pilani
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Skills you'll gain: Relational Databases, User Research, Probability & Statistics, Data Storytelling, Bash (Scripting Language), Graph Theory, Object Oriented Design, Android Development, Operating Systems, Database Design, Bioinformatics, Feature Engineering, User Interface (UI) Design, Threat Modeling, Algorithms, Version Control, Java Programming, Data Structures, Model View Controller, Computational Logic
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Status: New
Coursera Instructor Network
Managing Hybrid & AI-Augmented Teams: The Future of Work
Skills you'll gain: Diversity and Inclusion, Organizational Leadership, Team Leadership, Strategic Leadership, People Management, Leadership, Business Ethics, Innovation, Leadership and Management, Business Leadership, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Teams, Telecommuting, Communication
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Packt
AI Strategy for Business Leaders with ChatGPT, ML & DL
Skills you'll gain: Business Leadership, Artificial Intelligence, Business Strategy, Risk Management, AI Personalization, Strategic Thinking, Business Transformation, Technology Strategies, Generative AI, Digital Transformation, Project Management Software, Organizational Leadership, ChatGPT, Machine Learning, Data Ethics, Innovation, Emerging Technologies, Automation, Trend Analysis, Return On Investment
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Coursera Instructor Network
GenAI for Inside Sales: Crafting Effective Outreach
Skills you'll gain: Inside Sales, Generative AI Agents, AI Personalization, Sales Development, Sales Process, Sales Enablement, Sales Strategy, Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Marketing Automation, HubSpot CRM, Personalized Service, Content Performance Analysis, Workflow Management, Customer Engagement, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software, Business Process Automation, Campaign Management
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks