Assignment: What is a Computer? From Thriving in a Digital World

AP CSP
2016-07-21T17:19:16Z

Due: Aug 27, 2016 by 12:59am

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unsupported License

Assignment Provided by: Thriving in a Digital World CSP Curriculum

by Professor Bradley Beth, University of Texas

Modified by Art Lopez

(10 Points)

Learning Goals: Students will...

define, describe or explain a computer.

view a video on "What is a Computer?" from learnfree.org and answer a series of questions that demonstrates evidence that students can explain or describe a computer and computing devices.

What is a computer? - Reflection and Discussion

Although we all use a variety of computers throughout the day, not many people stop to think about what exactly makes something a "computer". Think about it: what is a computer?

First, watch the following video that partially answers the question. Then, think about how you would answer the question.

Safari Montage Video Link: Computer Basics: What is a Computer?

Reflect

Now that you have watched the video and thought about it, what exactly is a computer? In your own words, write a 1-2 paragraph description of a computer. Think about how you would describe a computer is to a young child or a person who has never used digital technology before (e.g. Aboriginal Australians).

Class discussion

As a class, discuss the following questions and answer them in the document. Please write complete sentences, use correct grammar and punctuation. Type in at least two sentences per each answer:

1. How did you define computer?

2. Does the video fully describe and generalize what a computer is?

3. How has technology improved our ability to define "computer"?

1. Go beyond "look up the definition".

4. What devices might be considered "computers" today?

1. List as many as you can as a class.

2. Can you think of over 20 devices?

3. What are common characteristics among them? Differences?

Instructions for a Answering Questions

You can either create the document with Microsoft Word or Google Doc's

1. If you know how to create an MLA formatted document, do so. If not, use the following: Purdue OWL.

2. If not, make sure you type in the following:

1. Your name.

2. Teacher's name: Mr. Gaestel.

3. The name of the class: Computer Science Principles.

4. The date typed in the following format: 22 July 2015.

5. Center and type in the title: What is a Computer?

3. Use a numbered list to number the questions.

4. Read and answer each question presented in the following assignment.

5. Clearly and concisely explain with one to five sentence answers for each question.(16 points)

6. If using Microsoft Word, save the document on the computer.

1. Click File.

2. Click Save As.

3. Search for the "My Documents" folder.

4. Create a new folder.

5. Name the new folder with your first and last name.

6. Open the folder with your name on it.

7. Name the file: LastName-FirstName-Intro-CS-Questions.

8. Click Save.

7. Answer the questions in the document

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unsupported License

Assignment Provided by: Thriving in a Digital World CSP Curriculum

by Professor Bradley Beth, University of Texas

Modified by Art Lopez

(10 Points)

Learning Goals: Students will...

define, describe or explain a computer.

view a video on "What is a Computer?" from learnfree.org and answer a series of questions that demonstrates evidence that students can explain or describe a computer and computing devices.

What is a computer? - Reflection and Discussion

Although we all use a variety of computers throughout the day, not many people stop to think about what exactly makes something a "computer". Think about it: what is a computer?

First, watch the following video that partially answers the question. Then, think about how you would answer the question.

Safari Montage Video Link: Computer Basics: What is a Computer?

Reflect

Now that you have watched the video and thought about it, what exactly is a computer? In your own words, write a 1-2 paragraph description of a computer. Think about how you would describe a computer is to a young child or a person who has never used digital technology before (e.g. Aboriginal Australians).

Class discussion

As a class, discuss the following questions and answer them in the document. Please write complete sentences, use correct grammar and punctuation. Type in at least two sentences per each answer:

1. How did you define computer?

2. Does the video fully describe and generalize what a computer is?

3. How has technology improved our ability to define "computer"?

1. Go beyond "look up the definition".

4. What devices might be considered "computers" today?

1. List as many as you can as a class.

2. Can you think of over 20 devices?

3. What are common characteristics among them? Differences?

Instructions for a Answering Questions

You can either create the document with Microsoft Word or Google Doc's

1. If you know how to create an MLA formatted document, do so. If not, use the following: Purdue OWL.

2. If not, make sure you type in the following:

1. Your name.

2. Teacher's name: Mr. Gaestel.

3. The name of the class: Computer Science Principles.

4. The date typed in the following format: 22 July 2015.

5. Center and type in the title: What is a Computer?

3. Use a numbered list to number the questions.

4. Read and answer each question presented in the following assignment.

5. Clearly and concisely explain with one to five sentence answers for each question.(16 points)

6. If using Microsoft Word, save the document on the computer.

1. Click File.

2. Click Save As.

3. Search for the "My Documents" folder.

4. Create a new folder.

5. Name the new folder with your first and last name.

6. Open the folder with your name on it.

7. Name the file: LastName-FirstName-Intro-CS-Questions.

8. Click Save.

7. Answer the questions in the document