Computer Manufacturer

Welcome to Week 5!

The United Nations has put forth an initiative to supply computers to students in all parts of the world. These are needed most by countries with economically depressed populations. As part of this initiative, the cost for the computers is required to cost a maximum of $100. The computers may only be purchased by governments that request them. Your new technology company has been approached by the governments of two South American countries. They have inquired about your ability to provide 1,000,000 computers in the next (x) number of months. The embedded simulation will help you develop a plan as to the number of workers and shifts that will be required to meet this demand. Can you help your company pull this off? Your company has been contacted by two South American countries about supplying their countries with one million computers, as part of a United Nations initiative. These governments are willing to pay $100.00 per computer as part of this initiative. This opportunity could provide incredible public relations for your company in the international community. Your goal is to make it happen, while building an assembly line meant to maximize efficiency and utilize an ideal number of workers with specialized skills.

Overview

Role

As CEO of a new technology company specializing in computers that are environmentally friendly, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. You and your team will need to do a great deal of pre-planning and preparation to determine if your company can tackle this challenge and stay in business. The production of these computers must be done in a timely fashion.

Audience

Members of the United Nation's Technology Council, and government representatives from the two South American countries will be excited to see and hear your proposal. Their decision to move forward will be based upon their belief in your company's ability to succeed.

Situation

The United Nations has put forth an initiative to supply computers to students in all parts of the world, especially those countries with economically depressed populations. As part of this initiative, the computers can only cost a maximum of $100. The computers may only be purchased by governments requesting them. Your new technology company has been approached by the governments of two South American countries. They have inquired about your ability to provide 1,000,000 computers in the next (x) number of months. The embedded simulation will help you develop a plan as to the number of workers and shifts that will be required to meet this demand. Can you help your company pull this off?

Step 1: Review

Before you pick your product, spend about 30 minutes today reviewing Data Tables & Computer Manufacturing. To the left you will find videos to support your learning.Below are some review questions to guide your note taking.

  1. Based on the background, what is the best way to organize the data I collect?

  2. Once I collect the data, what is the best type of graph to show my data?

  3. How are CPUs made?

  4. How is a laptop made?

Step 2: Research & Choose a Product

Below are the three products you can choose to create. There is a description of each task and the rubric above it. In order to develop your product you will need to do some research to inform your design. Read through the articles and watch videos to learn more about computer manufacturing & digital communication and feel free to look for additional resources to support your learning.

Video: Satellite Communication

Video: Communicating Faster than Light Speed

Video: Robotic Hands

Article 1: 2015 Tablet Sales

Article 2: Do It Yourself Healthcare with Smartphones

Article 3: The Third World Goes High Tech

Article 4: Mobile Services in Poor Countries

Poster

Based upon your research, create a poster that the governments and United Nations could utilize to promote this initiative in economically depressed communities throughout South America. You may also want to create the poster in Spanish or another language based upon the region the computers are to be distributed.

Newscast

Create a 2-4 minute news report that will be shared across news stations in countries associated with the United Nations. This report should discuss various global initiatives relating to sustainable, affordable computers. Consider initiatives that encourage environmentally friendly products as well. The report should utilize multimedia resources to support your discussion. Research will need to be conducted from a global perspective as many countries and businesses are currently working on this initiative. The United Nations is a huge supporter of initiatives such as this. You can present in the language most comfortable to you!

Data Table

Use the simulation attached in the situation of this task to find the maximum efficiency of your work force within your budget constraints. Then construct a data table that demonstrates the maximum efficiency of your workforce over time. The data table should allow the audience to understand how long the project will take and that your company can indeed get the work done.

Step 3: Design & Create

Brainstorm Ideas

It's time to think about product development. You will begin with ideation, which is the start of the creative process. During the ideation phase, you will brainstorm with your group about all the potential ways you could approach this product. Remember, the more creative and innovative your ideas are at this stage, the better! Your group will need to check and make sure that each of your initial ideas are meeting the requirements related to the goal, audience and product description. What are the directions or criteria that need to be followed? Who is your audience and what will they need from this product?

Analyze & Decide

As you discuss the possibilities during your brainstorming, you will narrow the ideas down to those that seem like they would best solve the problem or address the challenge. Once you have narrowed down to two or three ideas, grab some paper and a pencil and make an outline or sketch a plan for each one. What will the product need to include? How will you best use the information that you found in your research to create it? What would the product look like based upon each idea?

After outlining your product ideas. Discuss with your group and decide on ONE that you would like to move forward with. When you have selected one idea, you will move on to the creation phase, keeping in mind that you may go through several rounds of creation and revision before you are ready to present.

Create & Revise

It is possible that while you are creating the first version of your product, you will develop more questions that need to be answered before you can continue. If so, you may need to do additional research. Reflect on how any new information affects your product and make revisions as needed.

Your group should also be looking at the rubric during the creation phase. Here, you can practice thinking critically and collaborating with your peers to understand what needs to be included in your product. Then, you should reflect on whether or not your initial work meets those criteria. If you realize that it does not, you may need to go back and make additional revisions.

As you work through the process of creating and revising your product, communication with your teacher and classmates will be very valuable. Asking for help and discussing your product with others can help you clarify whether or not your product meets the goal of the task and is appropriate for the audience.

Remember, creating this product is a fun opportunity to apply what you have learned about important topics in a more creative and independent way.


Step 4: Reflect

Congratulations - You finished! Now take some time to reflect on the process. Look at the questions below to guide your reflection.

What classroom content did you use to create your products and solve the issue/challenge?

What skills did you use (21st century skills) to work through the task and finish the project?

What problems did you encounter while you were working on this task? How did you solve them?

What did you learn were your greatest strengths? Your biggest areas for improvement?

What part of your work are you most proud of? What would you do differently next time? Why?