Program Design Techniques Activity Cards Collection

This collection provides flexible activity cards to support the AP CSP Day 8 - Program Design Techniques lesson and other related activities throughout the unit.

🎯 Icebreaker Activity Cards

Card #1: Design Challenge

Time: 15 minutes
Group Size: 4-6 students
Materials: Design prompts

Activity Instructions:

1. Groups design a simple program
2. Present the design to the class
3. Discuss the design process

Learning Goals:

• **Practice design thinking
• **Understand program design techniques
• **Develop presentation skills

Card #2: Design Technique Identification

Time: 10 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Program design examples

Activity Instructions

1. Groups identify design techniques in given examples
2. Discuss the techniques used
3. Present findings

Learning Goals

• **Identify design techniques
• **Understand design principles
• **Practice analysis skills

Card #3: Interface Design Brainstorm

Time: 12 minutes
Group Size: Any
Materials: Paper, pens

Activity Instructions

1. Students brainstorm interface design ideas
2. Share ideas with the class
3. Discuss the importance of design techniques

Learning Goals

• **Think creatively about interface design
• **Understand design techniques
• **Develop critical thinking skills

🧠 Critical Thinking Cards

Card #4: Design Technique Analysis

Time: 20 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Program design examples

Activity Instructions

1. Groups analyze program design examples
2. Identify design techniques and principles
3. Discuss their effectiveness
4. Present findings

Learning Goals

• **Analyze design techniques
• **Understand design principles
• **Practice critical thinking

Card #5: Design Technique Comparison

Time: 15 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Design technique comparison worksheet

Activity Instructions

1. Groups compare different design techniques
2. Discuss strengths and weaknesses
3. Present comparisons

Learning Goals

• **Understand design technique differences
• **Develop comparative analysis skills
• **Practice critical thinking

Card #6: Design Technique Simulation

Time: 18 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Simulation prompts

Activity Instructions

1. Groups work on design technique simulations
2. Develop program interface ideas
3. Present the designs

Learning Goals

• **Understand design techniques
• **Develop creative thinking skills
• **Practice design application

🎨 Creative Expression Cards

Card #7: Design Mind Map

Time: 20 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Paper, markers, sticky notes

Activity Instructions

1. Groups create a mind map of program design techniques
2. Include:
   • **User-centered design
   • **Modular design
   • **Iterative design
   • **Responsive design

Learning Goals

• **Visualize design techniques
• **Understand design principles
• **Develop concept mapping skills

Card #8: Design Reflection Worksheet

Time: 10 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Worksheet, pens

Activity Instructions

1. Groups complete the worksheet
2. Discuss:
   • **What did you learn about design techniques?
   • **How do design techniques improve programs?
   • **What challenges did you face?
   • **How could you improve your design analysis?

Learning Goals

• **Reflect on design understanding
• **Develop critical thinking skills
• **Identify areas for improvement

Card #9: Design Challenge

Time: 15 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Design prompts

Activity Instructions

1. Groups work on a design challenge
2. Develop a program interface
3. Present the design

Learning Goals

• **Practice program design techniques
• **Understand design principles
• **Develop creative thinking skills

🤝 Collaboration Cards

Card #10: Collaborative Design Analysis

Time: 25 minutes
Group Size: 4-6 students
Materials: Design examples

Activity Instructions

1. Groups analyze program design examples
2. Identify design techniques and principles
3. Present findings

Learning Goals

• **Collaborative design analysis skills
• **Identify design techniques
• **Understand design principles

Card #11: Group Design Simulation

Time: 20 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Simulation prompts

Activity Instructions

1. Groups simulate program design techniques
2. Focus on design principles
3. Present the simulation

Learning Goals

• **Collaborative design simulation
• **Identify design techniques
• **Understand design principles

Card #12: Design Technique Suggestions

Time: 15 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Existing program examples

Activity Instructions

1. Groups review existing program examples
2. Suggest design improvements
3. Present suggestions

Learning Goals

• **Critical thinking about design techniques
• **Identify design techniques
• **Understand design principles

🚀 Innovation Challenge Cards

Card #13: Rapid Design Challenge

Time: 15 minutes
Group Size: 2-3 students
Materials: Design prompts

Activity Instructions

1. Groups quickly design a program interface
2. Focus on design techniques
3. Present the design

Learning Goals

• **Rapid design skills
• **Identify design techniques
• **Understand design principles

Card #14: Design Technique Puzzle

Time: 10 minutes
Group Size: 3-4 students
Materials: Puzzle pieces with design techniques

Activity Instructions

1. Groups assemble a design technique puzzle
2. Match techniques with descriptions
3. Present matches and explanations

Learning Goals

• **Identify design techniques
• **Understand design principles
• **Develop problem-solving skills

Card #15: Future Design Prediction

Time: 20 minutes
Group Size: 4-6 students
Materials: Future scenario cards

Activity Instructions

1. Groups predict future design needs
2. Develop design ideas
3. Present ideas

Learning Goals

• **Predict future design needs
• **Develop design techniques skills
• **Understand design principles

📝 Usage Guidelines

Selection Principles

• Icebreakers: Use cards #1-3
• Critical thinking development: Use cards #4-6
• Creative expression: Use cards #7-9
• Collaboration building: Use cards #10-12
• Advanced challenges: Use cards #13-15

Timing Adjustments

• All activity times can be modified based on needs
• Activities can be run in multiple rounds
• Recommend 2-3 minutes between activities for discussion

Difficulty Modifications

• Reduce difficulty: Add hints, extend time, reduce constraints
• Increase difficulty: Shorten time, add restrictions, require higher quality

Material Substitutions

• Most materials can be replaced with common classroom items
• Encourage improvisation and creative use of available resources
• Digital tools can substitute for paper-and-pencil activities

AP CSP Integration

• Cards align with design techniques learning objectives
• Activities support AP exam preparation
• Concepts connect to Create Performance Task requirements
• Vocabulary reinforces essential knowledge standards

These activity cards are designed for maximum flexibility and can be adapted for various class periods, group sizes, and learning objectives. Teachers should preview activities and select based on student needs and available time.