Getting Started Exercise

First, read/watch/explore these resources:

• Steve Lohr, Google's Do it Yourself App creation Software, NY Times.
• Clive Thompson, Coding for the Masses, Wired Magazine.
• Hal Abelson, Mobile Ramblings, Educause
• http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-use/
• http://www.eia.gov/
• http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/energy/great-energy-challenge/world-electricity-mix/

Second, answer the following questions. You might have to do extra research to find the answers! Make sure to cite your sources by including the URL of any web pages you used to write your answer.

1. Describe App Inventor in a paragraph. What is it, who created it, and why was it created?
2. With what programming languages is most Android software developed? What language is used for iPhone/iPad development?
3. Describe at least two energy sectors. Write a short paragraph about each one.
4. Describe at least two ways in which you try to conserve energy. If you do not try to conserve energy, describe two things you could do to save energy.
5. Describe an activity you perform each day that you believe consumes a significant amount of energy.
6. Identify at least three phone or web applications that help to save energy in some way. Provide the name of the application, a URL if appropriate, and a short description of the application.