This lesson continues the introduction to HTML tags, this time with headers. The class practices using header tags to create page and section titles and learns how the different header elements are displayed by default. Next, the class plans how to organize their content on the personal web pages that will be built across the unit and begins the first page of the project.
This lesson introduces to HTML as a solution to the problem of how to communicate both the content and structure of a website to a computer. The lesson begins with a brief unplugged activity demonstrating the challenges of effectively communicating the structure of a web page. The class looks at an HTML page in Web Lab and discusses how HTML tags help solve this problem, then uses HTML to write the first web pages of the unit.
This lesson introduces websites as a means of personal expression. The class first discusses different ways that people express and share their interests and ideas, then looks at a few exemplar websites made by students from a previous course. Finally everyone brainstorms and shares a list of topics and interests to include, creating a resource for developing a personal website in the rest of the unit.
This lesson covers the purposes that a website might serve, both for the users and the creators. The class explores a handful of the most-used websites in the United States and discusses how each of those sites is useful for users and how it might also serve its creators.
So far, we have learned about the problem solving process and the elements of a computer. Today, we applied them to applications. We took a look at a sample application and asked: What would be the input? What would the application need to process? What information would need to be stored? What is the output? After brainstorming, students were given the task of identifying the different functions of a computer for two different apps. Here is an example of one below. Extension activity: App Store Exploration Visit an app store like Google Play or Apple’s App Store. Find a non-gaming app and conduct the same analysis as in the activity guide (problem it solves, information it needs, output it provides to the user). Today we focused on how computers use storage to process information. To help us understand, we did another activity involving cards. The activity looked like this: In the beginning, the students didn't need to use a lot of storage spaces but by the end, the students needed a lot more. The main point of the lesson is that without storage, computers cannot process information.
Pick a CardOur main activity focused on writing algorithms. We did this through sorting cards. Writing an algorithm is similar to writing a program. It may take a while to write an effective algorithm to solve a problem but it can save you time in the long run. The eventual goal is for the computer to do the work for you.
Today we started a conversation. We asked the question, "What makes a computer a computer?" The students created posters categorizing different, everyday items labeling them as computers or not. We then defined computers as things that take input, process and store data, and output new information. Here are the best looking posters of the day.Extension Activities
Review the problem solving process that we were introduced to the other week. Try applying it to a problem of your choosing. Use the problem solving process in the activity below.
Today, we really dove into the problem solving process. We applied the process to the aluminum boats that we made last week and then applied it to other problems that we brainstormed. The lesson ended with the students making posters describing the problem solving process. Try applying the problem solving process in the activity below. Have fun!
On Friday, we had a chance to flex our engineering muscles. Students were introduced to the problem solving process as they made aluminum boats. The boats were only made up of one piece of aluminum foil 6 inches square. The students then filled the boats with pennies. The highest number of pennies that one of these boats could hold would surprise you. Mod 1 - Fluffy Unicorns: 84 Mod 2 - Blue Shirts: 61 Mod 4 - Treyco: 82 Mod 5 - Dream Team: 57 Mod 6 - Banana Pancakes: 72 Read About It
Click on the button below to read about a real life problem solver. Ask yourself:
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TopicsI will be posting after most assignments so that students who are absent can follow along at home and students who want to extend their learning will have a chance. Archives
March 2019
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