Computer Science Discoveries Unit 3 Chapter 2 Lesson 20: The Game Design Process (18-19)

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

6, 7, 8

Overview

This lesson introduces the process the class will use to design games for the remainder of the unit. The class walks through this process in a series of levels. As part of this lesson the class also briefly learns to use multi-frame animations in the Game Lab. At the end of the lesson, they have an opportunity to make improvements to the game to make it their own.

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Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 6

DLCS18.6.2

Define a process as a function.

UP:DLCS18.6.2

Vocabulary

  • process
  • function

Knowledge

Students know:
  • that often people seek to simplify processes; rather than listing all of the steps needed to take a shower, one simply uses the function "shower".

Skills

Students are able to:
  • combine or join steps such as algorithms to create a function.

Understanding

Students understand that:
    it is simpler and less confusing to identify processes rather than steps.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 6

DLCS18.6.5

Identify algorithms that make use of sequencing, selection or iteration.

UP:DLCS18.6.5

Vocabulary

algorithm sequence selection iteration

Knowledge

Students know:
  • differences between the three basic programming structures.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • explain the differences in sequencing, selection, and iteration.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • differences exist in sequencing, selection, and iteration.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 7

DLCS18.7.1

Create a function to simplify a task.

UP:DLCS18.7.1

Knowledge

Students know:
  • an algorithm is the set of commands to complete a task.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • combine several algorithms or tasks as a named function.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • it is more efficient to label an activity or program as a function than to list all of the individual steps or algorithms that make up the function or activity.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 7

DLCS18.7.4

Design a complex algorithm that contains sequencing, selection or iteration.

UP:DLCS18.7.4

Vocabulary

  • algorithm
  • sequence
  • selection
  • iteration

Knowledge

Students know:
  • how to use the programming structures to design complex algorithms that make use of all three programming structures sequencing, selections, and iterations.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • design complex algorithms using the various programming structures found in algorithms.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • complex algorithms contain sequencing, selections, and iterations.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 7

DLCS18.7.5

Solve a complex problem using computational thinking.

UP:DLCS18.7.5

Vocabulary

  • computational thinking

Knowledge

Students know:
  • smaller tasks are easier to solve than complex problems.
  • that trends in data can also speed up the problem-solving process.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • abstract portions of the problem and focus on smaller tasks to aid in solving a complex problem.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • complex problems can be overwhelming.
  • by decomposing the complex problem into simpler problems, a solution is easier to reach.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 8

DLCS18.8.1

Design a function using a programming language that demonstrates abstraction.

UP:DLCS18.8.1

Vocabulary

  • function
  • abstraction

Knowledge

Students know:
  • that a function can be called into a programming while abstracting out the details contained within the function.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • create a function that can be called into a programming while leaving out the details contained within the function.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • abstraction is a way of hiding the details of a complex function and being able to quickly make use of the complexity that has been hidden abstraction by calling in the function.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 8

DLCS18.8.5

Discuss the efficiency of an algorithm or technology used to solve complex problems.

UP:DLCS18.8.5

Knowledge

Students know:
  • that many solutions exist to solve a problem.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • communicate their opinion on the efficiency of problem solving methods.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • while many solutions exist for a problem, some are better suited to meet specific needs, such as efficiency.

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

Code.org

License Type

Custom
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