Section 1.7
Unit 1 Vocabulary
Learning Goals
Students will define computing innovation, intended purpose, the function of the innovation, effect, beneficial effect, harmful effect and impact.
Students will identify and describe the intended purpose, beneficial effects, harmful effects and impacts of their selected innovation.
Students will practice AP level written responses.
Objectives and General Description
Vocabulary and terminology are important to any unit of instruction. The objective is to develop an understanding of the key components of this unit and to apply these concepts to the selected innovation and AGILE process.
Students will be given the overall vocabulary for Unit 1. This vocabulary set covers software development terms and impact of computing terms. Students should write the definitions in their own words. Special focus should be given to the impact of computing terms (intended purpose, function, effect, beneficial effect, harmful effect and impact) as these terms are a core component of Big Idea 5: Impact of Computing.
Activities
Activity 1.7.1 Important Vocabulary (Budget 1 hr)
Give students the Unit 1 vocabulary list. Teacher key here.
Review the definition of computing innovation.
Introduce students to the following vocabulary
Intended purpose: The intended purpose of an innovation is what the innovation was designed to do. This can often be found on the promotional website for the innovation.
Function: The function of an innovation is how it works.
Effect: The effect of the innovation is a result of using the innovation as it was intended. It is an side effect of using the innovation.
Beneficial effect: A beneficial effect of an innovation is an effect that has a positive consequence.
Harmful effect: A harmful effect of an innovation is an effect that has a negative consequence.
Impact: The impact of an innovation is a result of a beneficial or harmful effect that is on a large group often a society, economy or culture.
Notes: Students often confuse the intended purpose and beneficial effects. They also view hacking as a harmful effect. Teachers should emphasize that effects are created by using the innovation exactly as the innovation was intended. If the innovation works perfectly and therefore can not be hacked, what are beneficial things that would occur from the use and what are harmful things that would occur? The student resource for innovation vocabulary has examples to help clarify these concepts.
Once the students understand the concepts of the terms, have them practice identifying these concepts related to their selected innovation. You could take 5-10 minutes of a class and have them all write down examples for their innovation or they could do this for homework. Then have the team share their responses with each other. The team revises and selects the best descriptions to be placed on their website. All students need to be able to identify and describe these concepts.
For the remaining vocabulary, let students talk amongst themselves to defne those terms. If they are stuck, have students use the following sites to define those terms:
Resources
1.7.1: Innovation vocabulary explanations (Student resource)
1.7.1: Additional Vocabulary Sites (Student Resource)