(Posting by Richard Jones & Andrew Meyenn on IBCS Online Workshop Spring 2006)

Systems Flowcharts
I think I've said before that there is a conspiracy of maths teachers going on here - somebody somewhere is teaching students about flow charts (algorithmic) so thoroughly that they can't take in that there is any other kind. Maybe it's kindy (kindergarden) teachers.

Anyway, you have to be ruthless with the red pen until they get that:
the only symbols they need and can use are in the guide;
it's about how hardware is used in a system;
it's not about single pathways;
It's about changing a way of thinking, wired pathways, de-brainwashing so it will always be difficult.

I think practice is the key and, as Andrew suggests, start with simple, everyday systems. The register is fine - even though it's not computer hardware, they should be able to relate to the processes going on - a database is being updated, error conditions are encountered and recorded; something like this might happen in your school:

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last updated August 12, 2005