Going beyond Pattern Recognition
Pattern recognition — the act of finding patterns in a group of objects, things or ideas — is a part of computational thinking. It’s looking at a set and finding the commonalities between each item in that set. Patterns can extend beyond object-level comparisons; there can also be macro-level patterns, such as pattern of groups of objects.
Pattern recognition is a first step in problem solving. It can be hard to solve problems without knowing the full extent of what’s involved! Think of solving a puzzle: there’s a pattern to the pieces, if only in that edge pieces will have a certain shape or that different parts of the image will share a similar color.
Pattern recognition also ties in to other computational thinking concepts. For example, decomposition splits objects into their constituent parts in order to be assessed for patterns. Abstraction simplifies big-picture ideas, often using patterns to do so.
But what about when the pattern breaks?
Breaks in a Pattern
Finding the breaks in a pattern can be frustrating if you’re trying to develop a class in your code, or if you’re coming up with an algorithm. Outliers can complicate a model. That said, breaks in a pattern are natural, just as people are individuals and entropy is a force of nature.
Changes in patterns can result in different insights depending on the field. For example, language change is rooted in the idea that word choice and grammar shift over time. A standardized grammar is a pattern of language use. “Nonstandard” usage breaks this pattern — and then, when it’s used more frequently, it becomes a pattern in its own right, something that linguists track.
Sometimes a break in the pattern reveals personal insights. Say you’re solving a group of similar problems, and one of them causes you trouble. This break in the pattern indicates what you need to study or relearn. Metacognition is thinking about thinking. When viewed through a metacognitive lens, a pattern of mistakes and a mistake in a pattern can be equally valuable in showing areas for growth.
The Moment of Change
Students can internalize a pattern-breaking mindset from the start. For example, in English classes studying narrative, looking for ways an author purposefully deviates from a set pattern can reveal meta-plot or provide an assessment of craft. In looking at art, students can find the moment of change when a pattern shifts, then discuss what it means.
In Quanta Magazine, there is an article that suggests there’s value in trying to solve seemingly impossible problems. This sort of problem solving breaks out of the typical patterns that underscore the “rules” of mathematics. In trying to solve problems like “Construct a convex octagon with four right angles,” students are forced to think outside the box.
Outside-the-box thinking involves recognizing patterns. In order to move beyond the box, students need to be aware of the patterned ways in which the box is constructed. What’s more, some patterns can be harmful. If algorithms are built from patterns of bad stereotypes, then a break in the pattern shows a way to work toward inclusivity, rather than division.
Regardless of whether students are finding patterns or breaking them, pattern recognition is a necessary skill. In recognizing patterns, students can build models, write algorithms and more. The better they understand a pattern, the more they can strive to move beyond it. A break in a pattern can be value neutral, if not positive!
There’s an idea in art that knowing the rules allows the artist the freedom to break them. Students can internalize this idea by creating objects that go beyond the characteristics of a certain set. For example, doing low-stakes assessments where they have to share purposefully “bad” answers both allows them to recognize a pattern and to subvert it.
A broken pattern may make coding a pain, but it can be a vehicle for growth, change or expression. Computational thinking is vital to problem solving, but what’s more, it’s an inherently creative endeavor. Pattern recognition is just one path to creativity.
About the blogger:
Jesika Brooks
Jesika Brooks is an editor and bookworm with a Master of Library and Information Science degree. She works in the field of higher education as an educational technology librarian, assisting with everything from setting up Learning Management Systems to teaching students how to use edtech tools. A lifelong learner herself, she has always been fascinated by the intersection of education and technology. She edits the Tech-Based Teaching blog (and always wants to hear from new voices!).
