Objective:

Students will compare historical trade and communication systems to modern computing technologies, identifying tradeoffs associated with each and understanding their impact on daily life and careers.

Materials Needed:

• Large poster boards

• Markers and drawing tools

• Printed reference materials on historical trade and communication systems (e.g., Pony Express, Silk Road, US Postal System)

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Begin by discussing how people exchanged goods and communicated over long distances in the past. 

  • Explain that students will compare these historical systems to modern computing technologies like email, online marketplaces, and automation.

• Group Activity:

  • Divide students into small groups and assign each group one historical system (e.g., Pony Express, Silk Road) and one modern technology (e.g., email, online shopping). 

  • Each group will create a poster comparing the two systems, focusing on speed, efficiency, accessibility, and privacy.

• Tradeoff Discussion:

  • As students create their posters, guide them to think about the tradeoffs of each system. 

  • For instance, the Pony Express provided secure delivery but was slow compared to modern email. Modern technologies may be faster but come with privacy concerns.

• Presentation and Discussion:

  • Groups present their posters, explaining the tradeoffs they identified. 

  • Lead a class discussion on how innovations from the past addressed specific challenges and how modern technologies offer new benefits and challenges.

Equity and Access:

Provide pre-printed templates and materials for students who may need additional support. Encourage collaboration by pairing students with different skill sets and experiences.

Real-World Application:

Connect the lesson to real-world communication challenges today, such as the rise of online privacy concerns and the use of automation in commerce and communication.

CS Practice(s):

• Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems: Students analyze historical and modern systems to identify the problems they addressed and the tradeoffs involved.

• Communicating About Computing: Students explain their comparisons and how technological tradeoffs influence society.

Standard(s):

• CA HSS.7.8.4 

• CA CS 6-8.IC.20

Objective:

Students will create an interactive animation in Scratch, App Lab, or another coding platform comparing historical and modern communication or trade systems, exploring the tradeoffs of each system and their impact on society.

Materials Needed:

• Computers 

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Start by reviewing historical trade and communication systems (e.g., Silk Road, Pony Express) and modern systems (e.g., email, online shopping). 

  • Explain that students will create an interactive animation in Scratch, App Lab, or another coding platform to show how these systems compare.

• Creating the Animation:

  • In pairs, students will use a coding platform to build an animation that compares a historical system to a modern one. 

  • They will use sprites and scenes to represent each system and include interactive elements that allow users to learn about the tradeoffs involved (e.g., speed, privacy, cost).

• Testing and Refining:

  • After completing their animations, students will test each other’s projects and provide feedback on functionality and clarity. 

  • Based on the feedback, students will refine their code and animations to improve usability and accuracy.

• Presentation and Discussion:

  • Students will present their animations to the class, explaining the tradeoffs they discovered between historical and modern systems and how their programs highlight these differences.

Equity and Access:

Provide coding tutorials and beginner-friendly templates for students with less coding experience. Pair students with diverse coding abilities to encourage peer learning and support.

Real-World Application:

Connect the lesson to how modern developers use automation and coding to solve communication and trade challenges, such as creating e-commerce websites or secure messaging platforms.

CS Practice(s):

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students use a coding platform to create an interactive program that explores the tradeoffs between historical and modern communication systems.

• Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts: Students refine their programs based on peer feedback to improve functionality and user experience.

Standard(s):

• HSS.7.8.4

• CA CS 6-8.IC.24