Day 2: Collaboration in Computing

Learning Objectives

• CRD-1.A: Explain how computing innovations are improved through collaboration.
• CRD-1.B: Explain how computing innovations are developed by groups of people.

Essential Questions

• How does collaboration improve computing innovations?
• Why are diverse perspectives important in the development of computing innovations?

Materials Needed

• Presentation slides on collaboration in computing
• Case study handouts of collaborative computing projects
• Group reflection worksheets
• Chart paper and markers

Vocabulary

• Collaboration
• Diverse perspectives
• Bias
• Inclusive design
• Computing innovation

Procedure (50 minutes)

Opening (10 minutes)

1. Review and Connection (5 minutes)

   • Review key concepts from previous lesson on computing innovations
   • Connect to today's focus on collaboration

2. Think-Pair-Share (5 minutes)

   • Prompt: "Think of a time when working with others led to a better outcome than working alone"
   • Students share experiences with a partner, then select pairs share with class

Main Activities (30 minutes)

3. Lecture: Collaboration in Computing (10 minutes)

   • Explain how collaboration improves computing innovations:
     • Combining diverse perspectives
     • Bringing together different skill sets
     • Identifying and addressing potential biases
     • Testing with diverse user groups
   • Show examples of successful collaborative computing projects

4. Discussion: Importance of Diverse Perspectives (5 minutes)

   • Facilitate discussion on how diverse perspectives help avoid bias
   • Examples of computing innovations that failed due to lack of diverse input
   • How inclusive design benefits all users

5. Case Study Analysis (15 minutes)

   • Divide class into small groups (3-4 students)
   • Distribute different case studies to each group
   • Groups analyze how collaboration contributed to success
   • Groups identify specific ways diverse perspectives improved the innovation
   • Each group shares key findings with class

Closing (10 minutes)

6. Group Reflection (7 minutes)

   • Groups complete reflection worksheet answering:
     • How did diverse perspectives improve the computing innovation in your case study?
     • What might have been overlooked without diverse collaboration?
     • How could the collaboration have been improved further?

7. Preview Next Lesson (3 minutes)

   • Explain that next class will focus on specific collaboration techniques
   • Ask students to think about what makes collaboration effective or ineffective

Assessment

• Formative: Participation in discussions and case study analysis
• Group Reflection: Quality of insights about diverse perspectives in computing

Differentiation

For Advanced Students

• Assign more complex case studies with nuanced collaboration challenges
• Ask them to research additional examples of collaboration in computing

For Struggling Students

• Provide guided questions for case study analysis
• Offer simplified case studies with clear examples of collaboration benefits

Homework/Extension

• Research a computing innovation that was improved through collaboration
• Identify specific contributions from different team members or perspectives
• Prepare to share findings in next class

Teacher Notes

• Emphasize that collaboration is not just about working together but about leveraging diverse perspectives
• Be prepared with examples of computing innovations that failed due to lack of diverse input
• Consider inviting a guest speaker from industry to discuss collaborative development processes