Program Design Techniques Analysis Cards

These cards are designed for the AP CSP Day 8 - Program Design Techniques lesson. Each card includes detailed information to support student analysis activities.

Card Set Instructions

For Teachers

• Print one set of 8 cards
• Distribute one card per group (3-4 students)
• Use with the Design Analysis Worksheet
• Allow 10-15 minutes for group analysis
• 5 minutes for presentation

For Students

Use the Design Analysis Framework to examine your program:

1. Technique Identification: What design techniques were used?
2. Technique Analysis: How effective were the techniques?
3. Component Breakdown: How do techniques affect the program's design
4. Impact Assessment: How do techniques impact the program's success
5. Improvement Suggestions: How could the techniques be improved
6. Reflection: What did you learn about design techniques

🧠 Card #1: User-Centered Design

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Millions of developers

What It Is

User-centered design focuses on the needs and experiences of users.

Key Features

• **User research
• **Prototyping
• **User testing
• **Iterative design

Design Techniques

• **User research: Understand user needs
• **Prototyping: Create design models
• **User testing: Evaluate design usability
• **Iterative design: Continuous improvement

Challenges & Solutions

• **User needs: Use research and testing
• **Design usability: Use prototyping
• **Feedback: Use user testing
• **Improvement: Use iterative design

Impact of Design Techniques

• **Improved user experience
• **Enhanced usability
• **Better design quality

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main design techniques of user-centered design?
2. How do they improve program usability?
3. What are the key design components?
4. What challenges might arise in design analysis?
5. What improvements could be made to design techniques?

🧠 Card #2: Modular Design

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Millions of developers

What It Is

Modular design involves breaking programs into smaller, manageable components.

Key Features

• **Component separation
• **Reusability
• **Scalability
• **Maintainability

Design Techniques

• **Component separation: Simplify development
• **Reusability: Use components in multiple contexts
• **Scalability: Adapt to different needs
• **Maintainability: Easy updates and changes

Challenges & Solutions

• **Component management: Use modular approach
• **Reusability: Use component libraries
• **Scalability: Use modular design
• **Maintainability: Use modular approach

Impact of Design Techniques

• **Improved program structure
• **Enhanced reusability
• **Better scalability

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main design techniques of modular design?
2. How do they improve program structure?
3. What are the key design components?
4. What challenges might arise in design analysis?
5. What improvements could be made to design techniques?

🧠 Card #3: Iterative Design

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Millions of developers

What It Is

Iterative design involves repeated cycles of development and refinement.

Key Features

• **Prototyping
• **User testing
• **Feedback loops
• **Continuous improvement

Design Techniques

• **Prototyping: Create design models
• **User testing: Evaluate design usability
• **Feedback: Use user input
• **Improvement: Continuous development

Challenges & Solutions

• **User feedback: Use testing and feedback loops
• **Design refinement: Use continuous improvement
• **User satisfaction: Use feedback loops
• **Design quality: Use iterative approach

Impact of Design Techniques

• **Improved program quality
• **Enhanced user satisfaction
• **Better design refinement

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main design techniques of iterative design?
2. How do they improve program quality?
3. What are the key design components?
4. What challenges might arise in design analysis?
5. What improvements could be made to design techniques?

🧠 Card #4: Responsive Design

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation

What It Is

Responsive design ensures programs work on various devices and screen sizes.

Key Features

• **Adaptive layout
• **Flexible images
• **Media queries
• **Cross-device compatibility

Design Techniques

• **Adaptive layout: Adjust to different screens
• **Flexible images: Scale with screen size
• **Media queries: Adjust design based on device
• **Cross-device compatibility: Ensure usability on all devices

Challenges & Solutions

• **Device diversity: Use adaptive layout
• **Screen size: Use flexible images
• **Design adaptation: Use media queries
• **Compatibility: Use cross-device testing

Impact of Design Techniques

• **Improved usability
• **Enhanced accessibility
• **Better user experience

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main design techniques of responsive design?
2. How do they improve usability?
3. What are the key design components?
4. What challenges might arise in design analysis?
5. What improvements could be made to design techniques?

🧠 Card #5: E-commerce App

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Billions globally

What It Is

An e-commerce app allows users to buy and sell products online.

Key Features

• **Shopping cart
• **Payment processing
• **Product listings
• **User reviews

Design Techniques

• **User-centered design: Focus on user needs
• **Modular design: Break into components
• **Iterative design: Continuous improvement
• **Responsive design: Adapt to devices

Challenges & Solutions

• **User experience: Use user research
• **Design complexity: Use modular approach
• **User satisfaction: Use iterative development
• **Device compatibility: Use responsive design

Impact of Design Techniques

• **Improved usability
• **Enhanced user experience
• **Better design quality

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main design techniques of e-commerce apps?
2. How do they improve usability?
3. What are the key design components?
4. What challenges might arise in design analysis?
5. What improvements could be made to design techniques?

🧠 Card #6: Social Media Platform

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Billions globally

What It Is

A social media platform allows users to share content and interact with others.

Key Features

• **User profiles
• **Content sharing
• **Commenting and liking
• **Notifications

Design Techniques

• **User-centered design: Focus on user needs
• **Modular design: Break into components
• **Iterative design: Continuous improvement
• **Responsive design: Adapt to devices

Challenges & Solutions

• **User experience: Use user research
• **Design complexity: Use modular approach
• **User satisfaction: Use iterative development
• **Device compatibility: Use responsive design

Impact of Design Techniques

• **Improved usability
• **Enhanced user experience
• **Better design quality

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main design techniques of social media platforms?
2. How do they improve usability?
3. What are the key design components?
4. What challenges might arise in design analysis?
5. What improvements could be made to design techniques?

🧠 Card #7: Health Tracking App

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Millions of users

What It Is

A health tracking app helps users monitor fitness and health metrics.

Key Features

• **Step counting
• **Heart rate monitoring
• **Sleep tracking
• **Nutrition logging

Design Techniques

• **User-centered design: Focus on user needs
• **Modular design: Break into components
• **Iterative design: Continuous improvement
• **Responsive design: Adapt to devices

Challenges & Solutions

• **User experience: Use user research
• **Design complexity: Use modular approach
• **User satisfaction: Use iterative development
• **Device compatibility: Use responsive design

Impact of Design Techniques

• **Improved usability
• **Enhanced user experience
• **Better design quality

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main design techniques of health tracking apps?
2. How do they improve usability?
3. What are the key design components?
4. What challenges might arise in design analysis?
5. What improvements could be made to design techniques?

🧠 Card #8: Calculator App

Basic Information

Type: Nonphysical software innovation
Users: Millions of users

What It Is

A calculator app performs mathematical operations for users.

Key Features

• **Basic operations
• **Scientific functions
• **User interface
• **Memory storage

Design Techniques

• **User-centered design: Focus on user needs
• **Modular design: Break into components
• **Iterative design: Continuous improvement
• **Responsive design: Adapt to devices

Challenges & Solutions

• **User experience: Use user research
• **Design complexity: Use modular approach
• **User satisfaction: Use iterative development
• **Device compatibility: Use responsive design

Impact of Design Techniques

• **Improved usability
• **Enhanced user experience
• **Better design quality

Analysis Questions

1. What are the main design techniques of calculator apps?
2. How do they improve usability?
3. What are the key design components?
4. What challenges might arise in design analysis?
5. What improvements could be made to design techniques?

📋 Design Analysis Worksheet

Program Design Techniques: ________________________

1. Technique Identification

What design techniques were used?

Explanation: Describe the main design techniques

2. Technique Analysis

How effective were the techniques?

Explanation: Explain the effectiveness of the techniques

3. Component Breakdown

How do techniques affect the program's design?

Explanation: Identify and explain the impact of techniques

4. Impact Assessment

How do techniques impact the program's success?

Explanation: Discuss the impact of design techniques

5. Improvement Suggestions

How could the techniques be improved?

Explanation: Provide constructive suggestions for improvement

6. Reflection

What did you learn about design techniques?

Explanation: Reflect on your understanding of design techniques

Teacher Answer Key

Quick Reference Guide

Tools: User-centered design, modular design, iterative design, responsive design, e-commerce app, social media platform, health tracking app, calculator app

Common Student Misconceptions

1. All design techniques are the same - Emphasize the diversity of design approaches
2. Design is just for large projects - Highlight their applicability to all project sizes
3. Understanding design techniques is unnecessary - Discuss the importance of design analysis

Extension Questions for Advanced Students

• How do these programs demonstrate the importance of design techniques?
• What role do design techniques play in successful programs?
• How do these programs support different user needs?
• What challenges might arise in design analysis?
• How can you apply this knowledge in future projects?

These analysis 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.