App Design Project Guide

This guide is designed to help you through the process of creating an innovative app that solves a real-world problem YOU face. Follow the steps below and let your creativity lead the way!

Step 1: Identify a Problem

• Think about daily challenges you encounter at school, home, or in your neighborhood.
  
  
  
• Write down 2-3 problems that you feel are important to solve.

Step 2: Brainstorm Solutions

• For each problem, think of how an app could help. Could it provide information, connect people, or offer a service?
  
  
  
• List ideas or features that the app might include.

Step 3: Design Your App

• Sketch a basic layout of your app. Consider the following:
  • What will the main screen look like?
  • What are the key features?
  • How will users navigate through the app?
    
    
    
• Use drawings, graphics, or digital tools to present your design.

Step 4: Reflect and Share

• Answer the following questions in your guide:
  • Why did you choose this problem?
  • How does your app solve the problem?
  • What challenges did you face while designing?

Remember, this guide is all about exploring your ideas and showing how technology can be used to solve real-life issues. Let your passion for problem-solving shine through in your work!

For additional classroom context and background, refer to the App Innovators Lesson Plan and the App Innovators Slides.

App Design Rubric

This rubric is designed to assess your app design project. The criteria below will help you understand how to meet expectations and excel in your project. Each criterion will be evaluated on a scale from 1 to 4, where 4 is Exemplary and 1 is Beginning.

Scoring Scale

• 4 - Exemplary: Exceeds expectations with creative, innovative, and complete work.
• 3 - Proficient: Meets expectations with solid work that addresses all criteria.
• 2 - Developing: Approaches expectations. Some criteria are met but work needs improvement.
• 1 - Beginning: Below expectations. Only minimal criteria are met; significant improvement needed.

Criteria

1. Creativity & Originality

• Exemplary (4): The app design is highly original and creative. It offers innovative ideas that clearly differentiate it from typical solutions.
• Proficient (3): The design shows originality and includes some creative ideas that enhance its effectiveness.
• Developing (2): The design has a few creative elements but largely relies on conventional ideas or designs.
• Beginning (1): The design demonstrates minimal creativity and relies on unoriginal ideas.

2. Problem-Solving & Relevance

• Exemplary (4): The app addresses a relevant real-world problem in a comprehensive manner. The solution is thoroughly thought-out and feasible.
• Proficient (3): The app addresses a relevant problem with a well-thought-out solution. Some aspects may need slight refinement.
• Developing (2): The app attempts to address a problem but the solution is only partially developed or not fully relevant.
• Beginning (1): The app does not clearly address a real-world problem or offers an impractical solution.

3. Feasibility & Technical Implementation

• Exemplary (4): The app design is very feasible with clear, logical steps and a realistic approach to technological implementation. The design demonstrates excellent planning.
• Proficient (3): The design is feasible and includes logical steps for implementation, though some components need further detailing.
• Developing (2): There are elements of feasibility in the design, but many components are either unrealistic or lack detail.
• Beginning (1): The design is not feasible with little to no consideration of practical implementation details.

4. Presentation & Communication

• Exemplary (4): The final presentation is clear, engaging, and well-organized. The student effectively communicates the app's purpose, design, and benefits.
• Proficient (3): The presentation is clear and organized, with a satisfactory explanation of the app's design and benefits.
• Developing (2): The presentation is somewhat clear but lacks organization or depth in explaining the design and benefits.
• Beginning (1): The presentation is unclear, disorganized, and does not effectively communicate the app's design or benefits.

Additional Feedback

• Teachers are encouraged to provide specific feedback on each criterion to help students improve in future projects.
• Allow opportunities for self-reflection and peer feedback based on this rubric.

This rubric aligns with our project-based learning objectives by promoting critical thinking, creative problem solving, and effective communication. Good luck with your app design project!

App Innovators Journal

Welcome to your App Innovators Journal! In this journal, you'll reflect on your journey as you designed an app to solve a real-world problem. Use these prompts to guide your thinking and document your process. Take your time with each prompt and be as creative and thoughtful as you can.

1. Reflecting on the Challenge

• What real-world problem did you choose to address, and why does it matter to you?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• How did you feel when you first recognized this challenge?

2. Brainstorming and Ideation

• Describe your process of brainstorming app ideas. What strategies did you use to generate creative solutions?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Write about any surprising ideas or moments of inspiration you experienced.

3. Designing Your App

• Explain the key features of your app. How do they work together to address the problem?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• What were some difficulties you encountered during the design process, and how did you overcome them?

4. The Role of Technology

• Reflect on how technology can be used to solve real-world problems. How does your app demonstrate this concept?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• In what ways do you think your app could impact its users or the broader community?

5. Personal Growth and Future Ideas

• What did you learn about yourself during this project?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• How might you use these insights to improve your app design or tackle new challenges in the future?

Remember, your journal is a space for honest reflection and creative expression. There's no right or wrong answer—just your unique perspective and ideas!