CS Discoveries 2020-2021

Unit 2 Overview

Unit 2 introduces computer languages and how students can use these languages to create digital artifacts. By the end of the unit, students should be able to create a digital artifact that uses multiple computer languages to control the structure and style of their content. They should understand that different languages allow them to solve different problems, and that these solutions can be generalized across similar problems. Lastly, they should understand their responsibilities as both creators and consumers of digital media.

Learning Framework

Using Computer Languages

Students should understand the need for computer languages, and how to choose a language based on the task at hand. They should understand that different languages use different syntax, and understand the need for precision and syntax in using multiple computer languages.

Understand and explain the need for computer languages

Understand why specialized languages exist to communicate with computers and describe the features a language might need.

Attend to precision and syntax when creating a digital artifact

Understand the need for precision when using computer languages and use appropriate syntax.

Combine computer languages within a digital artifact

Use multiple computer languages to manage the complexity of a digital artifact.

Choose an appropriate computer language

Understand differences between HTML and CSS and choose the most appropriate language for a given task.

Modularity and Abstraction

Students should be able to break down complex problems into their component parts, distinguishing between content, structure, and formatting. They should also recognize and use abstraction as it is built into computer languages, grouping elements by type or by classes that they create.

Logically separate the content, structure, and formatting of a digital artifact

Distinguish between the content, structure, and formatting in the design of a digital artifact and ensure that they are logically separated in its encoding (e.g. by using HTML for structuring and CSS for formatting).

Create classes that can be referenced and affected as a group

Use classes to identify and set the properties of multiple elements as a group

Create rules that affect entire groups of elements

Use classes to create formatting rules that will be applied to groups of elements, either by tag or by class.

Use stylesheets to apply formatting rules across multiple web pages

Create and reference style sheets so that consistent formatting rules will apply to multiple web pages.

Creating a Digital Artifact

Students should be able to design and create their own digital artifact using multiple computer languages. Students should use multiple strategies to find and eliminate bugs from their code.

Structure content on a web page using HTML

Use HTML to create a web page that includes hierarchical headings, paragraphs, and images.

Apply formatting in a web page using CSS

Use external style sheets to control placement, size, and appearance of elements.

Use multiple debugging strategies

Develop a set of techniques for preventing bugs in HTML and CSS code and finding them when they occur.

Clean Code and Documentation

Students should understand the importance of clean, readable code and should use appropriate formatting and commenting conventions to make their code easier to read and maintain.

Format code to make it easier to read and maintain

Use whitespace and indentation to make code easier to read and maintain.

Comment code where appropriate

Use comments to make code more readable.

Document the development and intended use of digital artifacts

Create documentation that explains the design decisions of an artifact and gives guidance to end users on how it functions.

Responsible Creation and Consumption of Digital Media

Students should recognize their responsibilities as creators and consumers of digital media. They should be able to make ethical and safe choices when publishing information online. They should understand that not all information found online is trustworthy, and have strategies for finding relevant and reliable information on the web.

Use good judgment in sharing personal information online

Justify and adhere to guidelines for safely publishing information online.

Respect Copyright

Explain the purpose of copyright and follow copyright law, accurately attributing others when using their work.

Vet sources

Use basic web searching techniques to find relevant information online, identify elements that contribute to a website's trustworthiness or untrustworthiness.

Inclusivity and Collaboration

Students should identify collaboration and inclusivity as crucial practices in developing digital artifacts. They should work effectively with a variety of team members and users to identify collective goals, design inclusive products and manage the development process.

Distribute tasks among team members and maintain a project timeline

Fairly split work between team members in a way that each person has a clear role on the project and a common understanding of when work should be completed.

Seek and incorporate feedback to improve a project, and provide constructive feedback to others

Seek and provide diverse perspectives from team members and end users throughout the design process, and use the feedback to improve the product.

Incorporate design features that allow for better accessibility and inclusion for the end user

Consider accessibility and inclusion when designing a digital artifact, and ensure that features that support accessibility (such as alt tag for images and good HTML structure to support screen readers) are incorporated into a product’s design and development.