Culminating Activities

Each student will complete a Mosaic Project by herself/himself and a major project as part of a team.

Mosaic Project

laminated colour sheet
- letter ($0.49 + $1.49)
- legal ($0.69 + $2.29)
- ledger ($0.99 + $2.99)
validated HTML & CSS (icons linked to direct validation pages)
project proposal approved in writing
appropriate references
impeccable grammar and Canadian spelling
adherence to word-processing guidelines

current hardware and software components (ex: USB, Firewire, data-storage devices, memory, input devices, display units, compilers, word processors, operating systems, utility software)
past ICT technologies (ex: Telidon, Telex, telegraph, telegram, analogue telephone, early computers, Gopher, WAIS)
current & future ICT technologies (ex: robotics, telemedicine, pollution control, space exploration, security scanners, GIS, GPS, natural-language translators, Google Earth, World Wide Web, Internet Protocol)
security & malware (ex: viruses, worms, trojans)
ICT & international development (ex: mobile micro-outsourcing, mobile micro-financing, One Laptop per Child)
Women in STEM careers
other: timesharing, VAX, user interfaces, development of computer types (mainframe, mini, micro, embedded), programming languages, servers, protocols

agreement on a medium and format
1. ex: website, comic, YouTube video, podcast, poster, Topic for Dummies
2. all team products looks the same
3. all work is computer-generated (submissions must be digital files)
project proposal approved in writing
summary, teaser, or advertisement on laminated colour sheet
appropriate references
impeccable grammar and Canadian spelling
adherence to word-processing guidelines

teams of at least 2 students
propose a game, utility, or other application (ex: Tic Tac Toe, Concentration, Bingo, binary clock, file analyzer, calculator)
final product includes code, executable, flowchart, user manual, testing report
print, sign, and submit Declaration of Authorship

teams of at least 2 students
prepare an educational resource to teach a programming concept (ex: selection, repetition, arrays, algorithm design, flowcharting, desk checking, reading from/writing to files, graphics, animation)

teams of at least 3 students
describe 3 or more operating systems (past, present, or future)
cover types of computers, distribution, cost, interface, capabilities, how common tasks are performed
each student responsible for one OS
possible OSs: VM370, DOS, Windows, Mac OS, Unix, Linux, VMS, BSD, mobile (iOS, Android, QNX, Symbian OS)
both Unix and Linux permitted only for groups greater than 3 students

For this project, select one of the following.

teams of at least 4 students
goal: describe post-secondary education and career prospects related to computer studies (ex: ICT, animation, health care, research, finance, commerce, space exploration, environmental protection)
describe VPCI Computer Studies courses:
- prerequisites
- progression
- students’ feedback: why did they take the courses? did courses meet expectations? what skills were acquired? do they hope to follow ICT careers?
profile a school of local, regional, national, or international standing: what courses and programs are offered? what are requirements for admission? where do graduates work? what do graduates do?
profile a post-secondary student, employee, entrepreneur, researcher (ex: Help Desk staffer, Future Shop Geek Squad member, programmer/analyst at parent’s/guardian’s workplace, college/university professor)
collect job postings in newspapers or online job sites and compile descriptions of qualifications and salary ranges for various careers
produce 60-second podcast or 30-second video advertising school, position, or ICT career

teams of 2 students
describe key aspects of a particular Information and Communications Technology and the effects on local, regional, national, and/or international society (ex: mobile phones, Short Message Service [texting], the Internet, Local Area Networks, wireless networks, the World Wide Web, e-mail, file sharing, instant messaging, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter)
equally weighted pro and con
produce competing 60-second radio or 30-second television advocacy ads

teams of 2 students
computer-use policies that promote environmental stewardship and sustainability (local, regional, national, and international)
environmental and health issues (local, regional, national, and international) which arise because of Information and Communications Technology
produce 60-second radio or 30-second television “call to action”

teams of 2 students
describe legal or ethical issues related to the use of computing devices (ex: intellectual property, social networks, malware, security & terrorism, cybercrime, cyberwarfare)
balanced arguments
produce 60-second radio or 30-second television “call to action”

knowledge & understanding: detail and comprehensiveness of final product including laminated colour sheet
application: effective and valid use of HTML and CSS; effective and professional use of selected medium
communication: correctness and effectiveness of prose, images, and selected format; submission of required digital files
thinking: appropriate references; sophistication of reasoning, argument, recommendations, product, resource, etc.

category	level 1	level 2	level 3	level 4
knowledge & understanding	limited	satisfactory	good	excellent
application	limited	satisfactory	good	excellent
communication	limited	satisfactory	good	excellent
thinking	limited	satisfactory	good	excellent