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Inside the Machine G1 to G2 / Week 08 / Crew Quest
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Week 08 · Apps Are Instructions

Crew Quest

Crew Quest: App inventors
// Software is a list of steps
⏱ about 15 min

Crew Quest: App inventors

It is Saturday at Beacon Station.

Rocket holds up cards. "Invent an app!"

Raven draws an icon. "What do you notice?"

Nova hums. "Hint: start with the job it does."

  1. An app is a list of instructions.
  2. The processor follows the instructions.
  3. Open an app to use it. Close it when done.
  4. Save puts a copy in storage.
  5. Different apps do different jobs.
◇ FAMILY APP INVENTION
Pick a job your family does, like sorting socks.
Invent an app that does the job.
On paper, draw its icon.
Say three instructions the app would follow.
Take turns being the processor.
Follow the instructions exactly as said.
Safety first
Use paper and crayons only.
Keep crayons away from babies and pets.
Clean up when you are done.
For a grown-up
Follow the instructions exactly, even silly ones.
Ask: what step was missing?
Talk about which apps your family uses most.
INVENTOR CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
What does Nova say to start with?
Who follows the instructions in a real app?
What is an app made of?
SentenceTrue or false?
Software is a list of instructions.?
Save puts a copy in storage.?
Every app does every job.?
You should never close an app.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEApps have jobs. Closing apps clears memory.
WEEK REVIEW
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
A tablet is slow with many apps open. What helps?
You want to read a story. Which app?
When is a good time to save?
Draw your invented app icon and write its job.

What an inventor! Next week we learn how computers talk to each other.

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