6.12. ASSESSMENT: Non-AP Explore: Impact of Computing Innovation

Time Estimate: 3-4.5 hours (4-6 45 minute classes)

[Text version available here]

Note: make sure you've completed Lesson 6.10 on Crowdsourcing with Citizen Science Apps before starting the project.

6.12.1. Introduction and Goals

Select and research a computing innovation of your own choosing. (Students should not use the citizen science app that they investigated earlier.) Computing innovations are innovations that includes a computer or program code as an integral part of their functionality. For example, self-driving cars are an example of an innovation that uses both hardware (the car, sensors, computer, etc.) as well as software (program code) to drive a car without a person steering the wheel or taking control of the car. However, near field communication (NFC), is not a computing innovation; rather, it is a standard that allows computing innovations to transfer data between them when they are close together.

6.12.2. Learning Activities

To find a computing innovation, you could look at current news articles for inspiration. Mobile CSP maintains a list at diigo.com/user/mobilecsp, tagged by topics in the CS Principles course. You should find at least 5 credible sources on your innovation. (Examples of credible sources and fact-checking tips and tools.) A reference list should be included with the project (e.g. at the end of a video, presentation, paper, part of a poster) and should follow standard formats such as MLA or APA specified by the instructor.

Write a paper or create a presentation, poster, or other artifact that answers the following questions about the computing innovation.

  1. What is the purpose of your chosen computing innovation? Make sure you explain how it is a computing innovation as well.
  2. What data does the innovation use and how does the innovation use the data collected?
  3. What are the intended positive impacts of your citizen science app? What might be some unintended negative impacts? You might consider impacts on society, the economy, culture, etc.

Artifact Formats

Note: your teacher may specify one of the following formats for your artifact about your innovation or may allow you to choose among the different options.

  • Paper (~3 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman, Font Size 12)
  • Presentation (in-class or video recording, ~5 minutes)
  • Poster
  • Other artifact with instructor permission (audio recording, skit, brochure, etc.)

6.12.3. Grading Rubric

Criteria Beginning Developing Mastering Exemplary
Purpose (25%) Identifies an innovation that is related to computers.

Provides a simple explanation of its purpose.
Identifies a computing innovation.

Provides a simple explanation of its purpose.
Identifies a computing innovation.

Provides a general explanation of the innovation’s purpose.
Identifies a computing innovation, including how it meets the criteria for being a computing innovation.

Provides a clear explanation of the innovation’s intended purpose.
Data (25%) Identifies that data is used by the innovation in general without providing specific information on the type of data or whether it is input or output data.

Provides a simple explanation of how the data is used by the innovation.
Identifies a type of data processed by the innovation.

Provides a general explanation of how the data is used by the innovation.
Identifies the data processed by the innovation and its data type. Includes input data, data processing, OR output data.

Provides a general explanation of how the data is used by the innovation to fulfill its purpose.
Identifies the data processed by the innovation and its data type (e.g. text, number, date, etc.) Include input data, data processing, and output data.

Provides a clear explanation of how the data is used by the innovation to fulfill its purpose.
Impacts (25%) Identifies one or more beneficial or harmful impacts of the innovation. Identifies at least one beneficial intended impact and one harmful unintended impact of the innovation. Identifies at least one plausible beneficial intended impact and one plausible harmful unintended impact of the innovation. Identifies at least one plausible beneficial intended impact and one plausible harmful unintended impact of the innovation. Explanation includes how the impacts affect society, economy, culture, etc.
Sources (10%) 0 credible sources
Attempts to include and acknowledge sources to support ideas.
1-2 credible sources
Attempts to include and acknowledge credible and/or relevant sources to support ideas.
3 credible sources
Includes and acknowledges credible, relevant sources to support ideas.
4+ credible sources (peer-reviewed, newspaper, recent, etc.)
Includes and acknowledges high quality, credible, relevant sources to develop ideas.
Communication (15%) Main idea in artifact is unclear and insufficiently supported by detail. Artifact has weak attempts to use a consistent system for basic organization. Main idea in artifact is clear, needs to improve logical order of examples, and/or relevance/quality of evidence. Artifact meets most expectations appropriate to a specific format for basic organization, content, and presentation. Main idea in artifact is clear. Examples follow logical order. Artifact follows expectations appropriate to a specific format for basic organization, content, and presentation. Artifact includes a clearly developed main idea with effective introductions and conclusions. Evidence in artifact provides support and is organized logically. Artifact uses relevant, compelling, and concrete examples to illustrate the main idea.
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