GoalExplain how a flowchart shows steps in boxes and arrows, and why text with pictures helps people understand.
New words
flowchart · a drawing of steps in boxes joined by arrowsstep · one thing to do in a seriesgraphic · a drawing, chart or picture that explains somethingdiagram · a drawing that shows how the parts of something fit together
Explanation
A presentation tool can share information with words and also with pictures, video, animation and graphics. This helps people understand better than plain text, because they can see as well as read. One kind of graphic is a flowchart. A flowchart shows a series of steps. Each step is written in a box, and arrows join the boxes in the order of the steps. You can use a flowchart to plan a task, to present a plan, or to track a coding project. Remember Week 16: an algorithm is a list of step-by-step instructions, and a flowchart is a way to draw an algorithm. To make one, choose a style of ready-made diagram, type your words in each box, and change the colours so that it is easy to see. Steps differ in each program, so ask your teacher. Keep the words in each box short, because a box with a paragraph is hard to read.
Part of a flowchart
What it shows
box
one step, in a few words
arrow
what comes next
order
steps follow the arrows
Worked examples
choose the topic→write the points→draw the pictures→check the spelling→show the class
Planning a task. Hana plans a poster about tidy classrooms. Her flowchart: choose the topic, write the points, draw the pictures, check the spelling, show the class.
write the idea→build the page→test it→fix any problem→share it
Tracking a coding project. Karim keeps a flowchart of a web page he is building: write the idea, build the page, test it, fix any problem, share it. He colours each finished box green.
cloud→rain→river→sea
Plain text or a picture? One sentence says ‘The water goes from a cloud to rain, then to a river, then to the sea.’ A drawing shows the same four steps as four boxes and arrows. Most people understand the drawing faster.
Class activity
Draw a flowchart. Choose a task you do every day, such as getting ready for school or tidying the classroom. Draw four or five boxes with short words and join them with arrows in the right order. Then colour one box that you have already finished. Explain to a partner how the flowchart helps you remember the steps.
Practice
1
What is a flowchart?
A drawing of steps in boxes joined by arrows.
2
What does an arrow in a flowchart show?
What comes next.
3
A flowchart has 8 boxes joined in one line. How many arrows are there?
7
4
Why do pictures and graphics help people understand?
