Beruflich Dokumente
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1 Principles
Introduction
The pri- in the word principles means first or most
important. This course is built upon the idea that
computing, first and foremost, can and should improve
our lives together in the world. On the scale of human
history, computing is very new. Automation and
automated thinking – machines that think and do – are
here, now. How will they transform society? We don’t
know, but we know it will be big. We send more and
more bits – 0’s and 1’s – into thinking programs every
year. Exponentially more!
Materials
Online chapters from Blown to Bits, by Hal Abelson, Ken Ledeen, and Harry
Lewis
Procedure
3. After exchanging greetings and brief conversation, agree to take time individually
for this step. Each person in the group, silently and without having to share your
answer, should think of the three “things”—people, ideas, parts of your life, etc.—
you hold most dear, that you hold as most important. Commit to specific ideas,
but you do not have to commit them to writing.
Nod to your partners in your group when you have completed this task. When
everyone in your group has nodded that they are ready, discuss the next two
questions together.
4. How has computing affected your relationship to these people, ideas, etc.?
Computing made it easier to communicate with family and friends.
5. How might computing in the future affect your relationship to these people,
ideas, etc.?
Information will be more accessible than ever.
6. Consider the following milestones, noting that the product and year associated
with each milestone can be debated.
As a group, read the following quote, the last paragraph from the book Blown to
Bits:
The bits explosion is not over. We are in the middle of it. But we
don’t know whether it will be destructive or enlightening. The time
for deciding who will control the explosion may soon be past. Bits
are still a new phenomenon – a new natural resource whose
regulatory structures and corporate ownership are still up for grabs.
The legal and economic decisions being made today, not just about
bits but about everything that depends on bits, will determine how
our descendants will lead their lives. The way the bits illuminate or
distort the world will shape the future of humanity.
7. Read Chapter 1 (pp. 1-17) of Blown to Bits, by Hal Abelson, Ken Ledeen, and
Harry Lewis. The chapter is available at the following location.
http://www.bitsbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/chapter1.pdf
Write a journal-style response in which you agree or disagree with the following
statement. Attach your writing to the assignment for your teacher to read.
9. Each group will be assigned one additional chapter of Blown to Bits to skim for 3-
10 minutes. Record which chapter you are assigned. All group members will skim
the same chapter. After skimming, and before discussing with your group, write
one or more sentences summarizing the issue(s) that you think the chapter might
be addressing. The chapters are available at the following locations.
Chapter 2
http://www.bitsbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/chapter2.pdf
Chapter 3
http://www.bitsbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/chapter3.pdf
Chapter 4
http://www.bitsbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/chapter4.pdf
Chapter 5
http://www.bitsbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/chapter5.pdf
Chapter 6
http://www.bitsbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/chapter6.pdf
10. In your group share your responses to Step 9. Discuss the summaries and create
as a group one single summary that integrates all of your ideas. Record it here
and agree on one person to present your summary to the class.
11. One person from each group will present a summary of one of the chapters. He or
she should do their best to do the following when presenting.
Conclusion
1. The "Big Ideas" of the College Board’s Computer Science Principles course
framework are
Pick one or more of these Big Ideas and explain how you think that Big Idea will
be related to what you do and learn in this course.