Computational Thinking for Information Technology

STUDENT SCENARIO:APPLICATION INVENTOR

In this scenario, you will enhance your app development skills by assuming the role of consultant

to BATEC Consulting Group.

John Stevens will be your guide and virtualsupervisor for the lesson.


OBJECTIVESThis course will enable you to develop logical thinking skills, including:

• Asking probing questions to uncover details of a problem

• Clearly defining a problem

• Anticipating and evaluating effects of design options

• Making design decisions based on rational criteria

• Seeing the “big picture”

• Deconstructing the problem into component parts

• Identifying steps required to solve a problem


OBJECTIVES (cont.)This course will enable you to develop logical thinking skills, including:

• Identifying sequence of steps including possible decisions and alternatives

• Measuring and adapting the solution to optimize resource utilization

• Measuring and evaluating solutions against the success criteria

• Adjusting the design and implementation as needed


WELCOME

Expectations | About our Consulting


Hi, I’m John. Welcome aboard! We’re very

excited have you on our team of consultants.


ExpectationsIn your first months here, you will learn new technologies, research cutting-edge technologies, prepare documents, create and deliver presentations, and design and develop websites for clients.

These assignments may take you out of your comfort zone and push you to think in new ways. However, we are certain that the excitement of solving these challenges will more than make up for the difficulties you might encounter.


We expect each of you to make the client’s needs

your priority by contributing to your team and

producing quality, finished products on time.

We have worked hard to develop a reputation for

excellence, and are currently the industry leader in

consulting services in information technology. We

hope to be the industry leader in the region within

the next five years. I hope you will be an integral

part of helping us reach that goal.


About our consultingWe are a premier information technology

solution provider. We specialize in providing

reliable solutions for businesses in today's

fast-paced technology world. The company is

dedicated to providing clients with the most

powerful IT products, solutions and strategies

that keep their businesses on the cutting edge

of technology.


We are committed to personal and professional

integrity, honesty, and open communications

with our clients. We seek long-term

relationships with our clients.

The Community College and University IT

(CCUIT) Division is responsible for providing

consulting services for educational institutions

systems. CCUIT is the largest division in the

company and key to the company’s success.


Your roleOur excellent reputation is spreading. As a result,

within the last year, we have seen a surge in the

number of new clients seeking our services. In turn,

this has allowed us to hire new employees such as

you to help us to deliver these services. You have

been assigned to the Community College and

University IT Services Division. The division is

primarily responsible for providing consulting

services for educational institutions.


Since many of the clients you will be working for are

new clients to the company, I would like to ask you

to start building a good relationship with your client.

Pay attention to customer service skills,

communicate often, and most importantly provide

your client with finished products that are up to our

standard of excellence.

This is a fast-paced working environment. I hope

you will enjoy and be up to the challenge.

Welcome aboard!


Ready to get started?

Task 1 awaits!


TASKS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Please complete the following tasks in sequence, paying attention to particular requirements given in the task.

There may also be guidelines for evaluation of effort, and of course that describes how your efforts will be judged.


TASK 1

Select Mobile App Concept


Select a mobile application idea to develop.

Then you will create at least one PowerPoint slide

to demonstrate your idea. Your slide presentation

must explain:

• The problem your mobile application is solving

• How your application will solve the problem

• The tools you will use to develop the

application

• The approach you will take to develop the app


You will then present the idea before the class

and your fellow classmates will select the best

ideas. Those who have their ideas chosen will

become the team leaders for the project and they

will choose their teammates and head up the

development.

To prepare you for this task you will be given App

Inventor and some basic tutorial instruction to

demonstrate what App Inventor allows you to

create and what it cannot do.


TASK 2

Develop Mobile App

Congratulations to those whose mobile application ideas were selected for development!


In Task 2 the team leaders of the selected concepts

will choose his/her teammates to help develop the

mobile application. To encourage you to explore

App Inventor features, your project must meet or

exceed the following technical requirements. Your

app must include at a minimum…

• Three objects that you place in the app

• Three interactive items

• Object motion and/or color change

To prepare you for this task you will be given App

Inventor and some basic tutorial instruction to

demonstrate how to program using it.


Note that the instruction you receive will not be

adequate to enable you to fully develop an

application. As such, you are expected to

complete other tutorials available online, as well

as using App Inventor's forums and message

boards to enhance your learning and ability to

develop your application. Your manager expects

you to use the resource available to you first

before seeking his or her assistance.

Each individual in the group will assess

themselves and the other members of the group.


TASK 3

Self-Assessment

Congratulations on finishing your first mobile app!


In Task 3 you must write an individual journal

entry that describes your experience working with

a team on this project. In particular, answer the

following questions:

1. What problem are you solving with your app?

2. What did you learn working on this project?

3. What was difficult working with App Inventor?

4. How did you overcome these difficulties?


INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION

eMail:

Phone:

Office location:

Office hours:

Other info:


Computational Thinking for Information Technology

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Transcript of Computational Thinking for Information Technology