AP CSP Day 7 - Cloud Computing

Course Information

• Course: AP Computer Science Principles
• Unit: Big Idea 2 - Computer Systems and Networks (CSN)
• Lesson: Day 7 (50 minutes)
• Learning Objective: CSN-1.G - Understand cloud computing

Learning Objectives

Primary Goals

Students will be able to:

1. Define what cloud computing is
2. Identify types of cloud services
3. Understand benefits and challenges of cloud computing
4. Analyze real-world scenarios involving cloud computing

AP Exam Alignment

• Big Idea 2: Computer Systems and Networks (16-20% of AP Exam)
• Essential Knowledge: CSN-1.G.1, CSN-1.G.2, CSN-1.G.3
• Computational Thinking Practice: 2.A - Develop algorithms for solving problems

Lesson Structure (50 minutes)

Opening Hook (10 minutes)

1.1 Welcome & Lesson Preview (5 minutes)

Teacher Activities:

• Recap previous day's content on cybersecurity basics
• Introduce today's topic on cloud computing

Student Activities:

• Think about: "What are some examples of cloud computing in daily life?"

1.2 Cloud Computing Examples Challenge (5 minutes)

Activity: "Identify the Cloud Service"
Instructions:

• Groups of 4-6 students
• Identify cloud services in given scenarios
• Discuss the importance of cloud computing

Purpose: Activate thinking about cloud computing

Core Content Instruction (20 minutes)

2.1 What is Cloud Computing? (10 minutes)

Definition (CSN-1.G.1):

Cloud computing involves delivering hosted services over the internet.

Key Concepts:

• Types of services: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
• Benefits: Scalability, cost-effectiveness
• Challenges: Security, privacy

Case Study: Using cloud storage

• Service: Google Drive
• Features: File sharing, collaboration

2.2 Common Cloud Services (5 minutes)

Examples:

• IaaS: Amazon Web Services
• PaaS: Microsoft Azure
• SaaS: Google Docs

Discussion Questions:

1. What makes good cloud service usage?
2. Can you think of an example where cloud computing is used in daily life?
3. Why is cloud computing important in computing?

2.3 Advanced Cloud Computing Concepts (5 minutes)

Why is it important?:

• Scalability: Handling growing demands
• Cost-effectiveness: Reducing infrastructure costs

Discussion Questions:

1. How can we ensure scalability in cloud computing?
2. Why is cost-effectiveness important when using cloud services?

Hands-On Activity (15 minutes)

3.1 Group Project: Explore Cloud Services (15 minutes)

Activity: "Research a Cloud Service"
Instructions:

• Groups of 3-4 students
• Research a specific cloud service (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
• Present findings to the class

Materials:

• **Research worksheet
• **Cloud service checklist

Learning Goals:

• **Understand cloud computing
• **Identify types of cloud services
• **Analyze benefits and challenges
• **Present ideas effectively

Assessment:

• **Group participation
• **Research quality
• **Presentation clarity

Closure & Preview (5 minutes)

4.1 Key Concepts Review (2 minutes)

Today's Learning Highlights:

1. ✅ Defining what cloud computing is
2. ✅ Identifying types of cloud services
3. ✅ Understanding benefits and challenges
4. ✅ Analyzing real-world scenarios

AP Exam Connection:

• These concepts will appear in AP exam multiple choice questions
• Understanding cloud computing is crucial for the Explore Performance Task

4.2 Next Class Preview (3 minutes)

Day 8 Topic: "Internet Protocols"

• Learning Objective: CSN-1.H - Understand internet protocols
• Activity: Exploring TCP/IP and HTTP
• Homework: Think about a recent online service you used. Was it cloud-based?