Written Responses Related to the Artifact (Prompts 2a and 2b)
I.
OVERVIEW
A.This chapter focuses on the part of your written responses in which you present and discuss your computational artifact. These will be your responses to Prompts 2a and 2b. In your response to Prompt 2a you will describe the vision behind your artifact, and in your response to Prompt 2b you will explain the process you used to create your computational artifact and answer questions about your research of the computing innovation you chose as your topic. Overall in the Explore Performance Task, you will be answering five prompts (2a through 2e). (See Chapters 5–7 for a discussion of the remaining Prompts 2c, 2d, and 2e.) All of these prompts are about both your artifact and the computing innovation you chose to research and display in the artifact.
B.Keep in mind the following when answering Prompts 2a through 2d:
1.Use the template available from the College Board Digital Portfolio. Remember that you will need an authorized teacher’s assistance to access the Digital Portfolio.
2.Be sure that your written responses do not exceed 700 words for all four prompts.
i.Stay below the maximum word count for each prompt.
ii.The Digital Portfolio template counts words for you.
3.The references you will include in your response to Prompt 2e are not included in the word count. (See Chapter 7 for a discussion of Prompt 2e.)
C.Writing Prompts 2a and 2b focus on your digital artifact.
1.In responding to Prompt 2a, you explain your vision behind your artifact by:
i.stating the computing innovation.
ii.describing the innovation’s purpose and function.
iii.explaining how your artifact is showing the purpose, function, or effect of your innovation.
2.In responding to Prompt 2b, you prove you created your artifact by:
i.explaining the steps you took to create this vision.
ii.justifying why you chose the tool(s) you did to create this vision.
II.
PROMPT 2a: EXPLAINING YOUR VISION
A.Prompt 2a asks you to provide information on your computing innovation and computational artifact. You have approximately 100 words to do the following:
1.Name the computing innovation that was your focus for your artifact and research.
2.Describe the innovation’s intended purpose and function.
3.Describe how the artifact illustrates, represents, or explains the innovation’s intended purpose, function, or effect.
Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour to name your innovation and explain its intended purpose and function. (Prompt 2a)
B.To maximize credit for Prompt 2a, do the following:
1.Remember the work you did to plan your artifact? Explain here what your artifact illustrates, represents, or explains.
2.Remember the questions and answers you had while researching? Explain the purpose, function, or effect your artifact highlights here.
3.Devote most of your words and time to the following:
i.Describe how the artifact illustrates, represents, or explains the innovation’s intended purpose, function, or effect.
ii.Explain your vision for your artifact. Be specific. Use the words illustrate, represent, or explain in your response. One of the following questions needs to be answered to get full credit:
What does your artifact illustrate about your computing innovation?
What does your artifact represent about your computing innovation?
What does your artifact explain about your computing innovation?
iii.Connect to the innovation’s intended purpose, function, or effect. Use the words purpose, function, or effect in your response. One of the following questions needs to be answered to get full credit:
How does the artifact reveal, represent, or explain the intended purpose of your computing innovation?
How does the artifact reveal, represent, or explain the function of your computing innovation?
How does the artifact reveal, represent, or explain the effect of your computing innovation?
Look at your response to Prompt 2a as your “Vision Statement” for your Explore Performance Task. This is your chance to explain how the artifact showcases the function, purpose, or effect of the computational innovation you chose as your topic. Here you are the artist explaining how your artwork brings the entire task together.
III.
PROMPT 2b: TAKING CREDIT FOR YOUR PROCESS
A.Prompt 2b asks you for a description of the process you used to develop your artifact. This prompt is how you prove that you created your artifact. You have approximately 100 words to do the following:
1.Identify the computing tools and techniques you used.
2.Provide enough detail so the grader understands the work you did (creative and computational) to create your artifact.
3.Explain how the tool or technique helped you to create your artifact.
Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour to describe the processes you used to develop your artifact. (Prompt 2b)
B.For Prompt 2b, do the following:
1.In one or two sentences, state the tools and techniques you used.
i.Avoid jargon and acronyms.
ii.To help you state this simply, imagine you are explaining what you did to an elementary school student.
2.Devote most of your words and time to explaining your development process. Here are some tips to maximize your score in this part:
i.Do not connect to the innovation here unless it is related to the process.
ii.Remember the work you did to learn about the tools you could use to create your artifact? Use this prompt to take credit for that work.
iii.Answer the following questions about your development process to create your computational artifact:
What tools did you use for your artifact? (In your response, use the word tools, and connect to your plan for your artifact.)
Why did you use these tools? What made these tools a good fit for the story you were trying to tell?
What did you do to make these tools work?
How did you learn that you had to do this? (Use the word techniques in your response.)
