CS Principles
This activity addresses the idea that computing is a creative activity
and focuses on the following learning objectives:
- 1: The student can use computing tools and techniques to create artifacts.
- 3: The student can use computing tools and techniques for creative expression.
- 4: The student can use programming as a creative tool.
Introduction
In this homework you will read about the Broadcast Hub,
an example of social computing that uses text messaging.
Reading Assignment
Read Chapter 11
of App
Inventor, Broadcast Hub (17 pages). This chapter describes an app
that allows you to set up your phone as a hub that can distribute text
messages to phones participating in your service.
You can also complete this reading assignment by reading
the Broadcast
Hub Tutorial. If time permits, try following the tutorial and
creating an initial version of the app before class.
Reading Questions
Provide answers to the following two questions on a Portfolio page
for this reading assignment.
- For this app we will need to use a list and some of the
built-in list functions. For each of the following
built-in functions, describe what parameters it takes and
what it does. (NOTE: One way to learn about what these blocks do
is to open up your Blocks Editor, pull each of the blocks out of the
Lists toolbox, scroll over it, and read the documentation provided.)
- add items to list
(Click to enlarge)
- is in list?
(Click to enlarge)
- is a list?
(Click to enlarge)
- This app will make use of the for-each loop construct.
Describe in your own words what the following for-each block is doing:
(Click to enlarge)
In Class on Monday
We will implement and test the broadcast hub example. Make sure you
bring your phones to class.
In preparation for class, try to have SMS (texting) working on your
phone, through one of the following methods:
- If you have your own Android phone, you should already have texting.
- Install Text Plus through the phone's Market (or Google Play)
app or download it from
Google Play.
- Temporarily replace the SIM card in your Android phone with the SIM
card from your personal phone. (This won't work for Verizon phones and
you shouldn't do this if your personal phone doesn't already have a
data plan.)
