Objective: 

Students will research and create a visual presentation on a computing technology that has changed the world, such as social media, mobile computing, or GPS. They will include components like images and diagrams to enhance their presentation.

Materials Needed: 

• Poster paper

• Markers

• Printed images

• Research materials (books or articles on computing technologies)

• Sticky notes

Steps:

• Introduction: 

  • Students explore the concept of computing technologies and their influence on the world. 

  • The teacher asks how technologies like social media, GPS, and mobile computing have transformed communication, transportation, and access to information. 

  • Students also discuss how these technologies have been shaped by cultural practices and societal needs.

• Activity: 

  • Students work in small groups to research a computing technology (e.g., social media or mobile devices). 

  • Each group gathers information on how the technology has changed the world and how it was influenced by societal needs or cultural practices. 

  • Using poster paper, students organize their findings into a visual presentation, incorporating images, diagrams, and captions. 

  • They might show the timeline of a technology's development or illustrate the cultural or political impact it has had (e.g., how social media has influenced social movements).

• Presentation and Discussion: 

  • Each group presents their visual display, explaining how their chosen technology has changed the world and been shaped by societal factors. T

  • hey highlight how the multimedia components (images, diagrams) helped clarify their main ideas.

Equity and Access: 

Provide simplified research materials for students needing extra support, and assign group roles (researcher, illustrator, presenter) to ensure equitable participation.

Real-World Connection:

Discuss how organizations like tech companies and policymakers use similar visual presentations to communicate how new technologies will impact society.

CS Practice(s): 

• Communicating About Computing: Students use visuals to explain the impact of a computing technology. 

Standard(s): 

• CA CCSS for ELA-Literacy SL.5.5

• CA CS 3-5.IC.20

Objective: 

Students will use a block-based coding platform to create an interactive presentation on a computing technology that has changed the world. They will include multimedia components, such as animations, graphics, and sound, to enhance their presentation.

Materials Needed: 

• Tablets or computers

• Research materials (online articles or videos on computing technologies)

Steps:

• Introduction: 

  • The teacher explains that students will be using coding to showcase the impact of computing technologies, such as robotics, wireless internet, or social media. 

  • Students learn to use the platform to create a presentation that includes multimedia elements like animations and sound.

• Activity: 

  • Working in pairs, students research a computing technology that has significantly impacted the world (e.g., mobile devices, GPS, or wearable computing). 

  • Using the coding platform, they create an interactive presentation where users can click through different sections to learn about the technology. 

  • For example, students might animate the growth of mobile technology or add sound effects to illustrate the expansion of the wireless internet. 

  • They include clickable buttons for users to explore key facts, and use animations to show how the technology has been influenced by cultural practices and societal needs.

• Presentation and Discussion: 

  • Each pair presents their interactive digital project, explaining how the multimedia components (animations, sound) enhanced their presentation and made the information more engaging. 

  • The class discusses how computing technologies have changed the world and how coding can be used to share complex ideas interactively.

Equity and Access: 

Provide pre-built coding templates for students needing additional support, and encourage mixed-ability pairings to ensure collaboration.

Real-World Connection: 

Highlight how companies and organizations use interactive presentations to explain the impact of new technologies, similar to how students are using coding to share their findings.

CS Practice(s): 

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students design interactive digital presentations with multimedia elements. 

• Foster an Inclusive Computing Culture: Students analyze and present the impact of computing technologies on the world, considering societal needs and cultural influences.

Standard(s): 

• CA CCSS ELA-Literacy SL.5.5

• CA CS 3-5.IC.20