Subject / grade level: Information Technology / 8
Lesson Title: Program Development Process
Sub Title: Introduction to Program Development
Duration: 60 minutes
Date: May 3, 2015
Materials: Index cards or cartridge paper (appropriately sized), One sheet of large cartridge paper, Internet Access, Markers, Text
book, Thumb Tacks or a reel of paper tape.
Essential Benchmark: Demonstrate their understanding of constructing algorithms for real-world and computer- related problems
Lesson objective(s):
 State the stages of the Program Development Process
 Explain the stages or event that characterizes each stage of the Program Development Process
Skills: Memorize stages in correct order, analyse and record correctly in groups, process, apply knowledge constructed from analysis
to solve a simple problem.
Key Concept/ Vocabulary: Problem, Problem statement, Analyze, IPO chart, Algorithm, Pseudocode, Flowchart, Input/ Read,
Output/ Write, Calculate, Arithmetic, Relational, logical and Assignment operators, Program, Pascal, Test and Debug, Trace table,
Test data, Documentation
Content: The stages in the Program Development Process are:
Stages
Define the problem
Event in each stage
Problem statement
Analyse the problem
IPO chart
Development an algorithm
Pseudocode and or Flow chart
Write a computer program corresponding to the algorithm
Program
Test and Debug
Trace table
Document the program
Documentation
Prior Learning: Students are already exposed to the concept of Information Processing Cycle.
Differentiation Strategies:
 Reproduce on paper a mental image of each stage of the process then use these images to create a Pictionary.
 Complete online crossword puzzles consisting of each stage of the process and its description or and main characteristics of
each stage in the process
 Construct a catchy phrase or mnemonic to recall stages of the Program Development process.
 Create a ringtone (song) using all stages from the process along their salient event/characteristic.
ENGAGEMENT
 Two scenarios (wise man and foolish man) will be presented to the class via the song “the wise man build his house upon
the rock” to be sung by the students. Students will then compare both scenarios and identify the difference in the
approaches taken by both builders as well as the implications of the approach.
 Students will then reflect on the benefits of using the correct and appreciate that several approaches can lead to the same
result but the process used will determine the quality of the result.
EXPLORATION
 Students will complete online and or hardcopies of crossword puzzles to match terms with their correct descriptions and or
key events in the stage.
 Students will arrange scrambled stages of the process and their key events or characteristics in the correct order.
 Students will be given a simple problem to analyze such as “Making a glass of lemonade” for diabetics. Students will apply
the process of Program Development process to the given problem with focus on the first two stages.
 Students will be asked to examine the problem and to identify the problem and all ingredients, conditions needed to solve
the problem. They will also identify, the correct ingredients needed and the actions necessary to get the correct results.
EXPLANATION
 Students will explain the relevance and benefits of using the Problem Development process in solving a problem. Students
will also explain the disadvantages of trying to solve a problem without using a definite process. (Factors such as time,
efficiency, maintenance, solving novel problems, consistency, etc. should be included in your explanation).
ELABORATION
 Students will use a Blog forum to explain, appreciate, clarify concepts such as Program Development, Process, Program,
Problem, Problem statement, Analyze, IPO chart, Algorithm, Pseudocode, Flowchart, Input/ Read, Output/ Write, Calculate,
Arithmetic, Relational, logical and Assignment operators, Program, Pascal, Test and Debug, Trace table, Test data,
Documentation to their peers.
 Students will create a podcast or multimedia presentation on the stages of Program Development and include terms and
concepts related to each stage in their presentation.
 Students will explain how this process can be used in arriving at a solution for all almost any “every day” information
related problem (social, commercial, scientific etc).
EVALUATION
 Students will be given the name and order of each stage in the Program Development Process scrambled. They will then be
asked to unscramble the names and then place the stage in the correct order or use an index number such as 1, 2,3 etc.
beside each stage to indicate its position in the process. They will be asked to complete the activity by writing the key
concept/ characteristic or event associated with the specific stage in the process.
EVALUATION OF THE SESSION:
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