Learners should be familiar with the concept of coding.
Review what a computer programmer is and what coding is. If this is learners’ first exposure to the concept of coding, see ‘Speaking Code: What is Coding?’ lesson plan.
As a whole class or in small groups, learners can brainstorm popular apps that exist. The educator can share apps that are on their phone. Learners could also look through apps on their own devices and list them, or could look at popular app downloads.
As a class, have learners come up with categories to sort these apps. Some possible suggestions include: games, cooking, communication, videos, etc.
Have a discussion on why computer programmers develop apps. Guide learners to understand that many apps developed to make people’s lives easier or to solve a problem.
Independently or in small groups, learners will complete the ‘App Development’ document.
Note: Completing the brainstorming activity as a whole class may benefit learners. Examples of challenges that an app could help solve include, fitness, what to eat, homework, arranging a playdate, etc.
Lesson closure: Learners can share app development ideas.
See Learner Self-Assessment and Educator rubrics here.
iGeeks Blog: 10 Most Popular Apps of 2018
https://www.igeeksblog.com/most-downloaded-iphone-apps/
Hongkiat: 10 Outstanding Teenage Developers to Watch (by Leanne Tan):
https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/young-talented-app-developers/
16 Apps for Social Change That Make it Simple to Impact the World (bthechange.com, 2016) https://bthechange.com/16-apps-for-social-change-that-make-it-simple-to-impact-the-world-6886e64578f6
10 apps making the world a better place (nesta.org.uk, 2018)
https://www.nesta.org.uk/blog/10-apps-making-the-world-a-better-place/
Litterati
https://www.litterati.org/
Image from Pixabay on pexels.com
https://www.pexels.com/photo/facebook-application-icon-147413/
Teach lessons that are tied to your existing curriculum! https://bit.ly/CLClessons
Although learning how to build digital projects is a key part of Computer Science education, students should also learn a wider set of skills and competencies that will help them to harness the power of digital technologies as both creators and consumers. A comprehensive approach to K-12 Computer Science education includes learning about the following five focus areas:
View Framework ➝By the end of high school, students should be able to create a simple computer program.
By the end of high school, students should understand and be able to use the tools and devices commonly used to build digital projects.
By the end of high school, students should be able to explain how we use computers to create, store, organize, and analyze data.
By the end of high school, students should be able to explore the ways in which technology and society have mutually shaped each other.
By the end of high school, students should be able to apply design principles to the digital projects they create.
