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Note - This lesson is optional at this point. It has not yet been updated to match the 2018 Create PT Scoring Guidelines and its contents are now covered in the AP Create PT Prep Unit.

Overview

To conclude their introduction to programming, students will design their own App. They will design an app based off of one of the projects they have previously worked on in this programming unit. Specifically, they will determine what kinds of improvements they wish to make to the existing program, demonstrating their ability to make abstractions and implement complex algorithms. Through designing their own app, students should get some further insight into Computer Science Principles using the Quorum Programming Language.

The project concludes with reflection questions similar to those students will encounter on the AP® Create Performance Task. They can either complete the project individually or with a partner. Even if they aren't working in a pair, every student should have a collaborative partner with whom they will give and receive feedback.

Note: This is NOT the official AP Performance Task that will be submitted as part of the Advanced Placement exam; it is a practice activity intended to prepare students for portions of their individual performance at a later time.

Goals

Students will be able to:

Purpose

A skill that programmers must develop is the ability to plan and execute a project from idea all the way through shipping of a product. Some of the best apps are new ideas brought on by the past work of a programmer themselves or other programmers. In order to execute these new ideas programmers must identify the programming structures needed to implement their idea and create a project plan. Often there are deadlines on projects which require programmers to make choices about the top features which need to be in a release of a new product. Finally, programmers must be able to express to others the work they have done to create their app.

AP® is a trademark registered and/or owned by the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this curriculum.

Resources

Getting Started

For students that want to work in pairs, give them a minute to find partners.

Brainstorm: Programming Projects and Concepts So Far

Remember the programming projects, both large and small, done in the unit. Review how they can be used to frame the coming project as a practice for the Create Performance Task. Consider reading to them the following prompt.

List of past projects

List of programming concepts

After briefly reviewing the above concepts, read the following prompt to students.

Activity

First, distribute the "Improve Your App Planning Guide" resource to each pair of students (or to any individual students working alone). It should help them think about how to plan and execute their project. They should also be provided the "Improve Your App Overview and Rubric" resource so they can begin reviewing the project guidelines before getting down to work. This project will take some time, as it has new elements, such as a video, and it asks students to create PDF documents of their write-ups.

A proposed schedule of the steps of this project is included below, as well as more thorough explanations of how to conduct the various stages.

Day 1

Pro Tip

Complete Project Planning Guide: Students should use the "Improve Your App Planning Guide" resource to develop an overview description of their target app. The first thing students should do as part of planning is to...

Day 2 - Individually program major components.

Pro Tip

Day 3 - Work with classmates to give and receive feedback.

Day 4

Pro Tip

If students work in partners, they will need some way to combine their code. Possible solutions are:

Peer Consultation: After students have finished implementing a draft of their program, they should meet with their collaborative partner, present their work so far, and provide feedback regarding their progress. They should complete the Feedback Guide. Other potential questions to address are below:

Day 5 - Complete project reflection questions and create video.

Pro Tip

Video Creation - Suggested Tools:

Wrap Up

Self-assess: It can be a useful exercise for students to briefly assess themsevles using the rubric they were provided at the beginning of the project. Ask them to identify points where they could improve, and remind them that this rubric is very similar in structure to the one that will be used on the actual AP Performance Tasks they will encounter later in the year.

Presentation (Optional): If time allows, students may wish to have an opportunity to share their final apps with one another. Consider options like creating a "Digital Gallery" by posting all links to a shared document.

Standards Alignment