Name(s)_______________________________________________ Period ______ Date ___________________

U4 Practice PT - Decision Maker App Planning Guide

Project Description
For this project you will create an app that helps a user make a decision. Your app must take in at least one number
and one string from the user that will help to make the decision. All of this information will be used as part of the
decision making process. In addition, your code must include at least one function used to update the screen.

You will submit

● Your final app
● A video that shows your program running
● This completed project-planning guide

App Requirements
● At least one number and one string used to make and report a decision with a conditional statement
● A function which updates the screen and is called at least twice in the program
● Conditional statement includes at least one logical operator (&&, || or !)
● There are at least three different possible output answers (i.e. “Yes, you can adopt a cat!”, “No, you can’t adopt
a cat”, and “Congratulations, you can adopt a kitten!).
● Every function contains a comment explaining purpose and functionality
● Clear and easy to navigate user interface
● Cleanly written code which is free of errors

Steps
● Brainstorm an app idea for making a decision
● Interview classmates for ideas on what information would be needed to make the decision
● Draft a flowchart of the decision making process
● Design your app’s user interface
● Design and program your app in App Lab
● Collect feedback from your classmates and update your app
● Record a screen capture of your app being used
● Submit your final app

Investigate

Step 1. Brainstorm App Ideas: Your app should be designed to help a user make a decision. For this project your
user is your classmate. The decision can be small or big, like what to eat for lunch or where to apply for a job. Keep in
mind how your idea might help solve a problem for your user.

Idea 1:
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Idea 2:
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Idea 3:
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Step 2. Choose One Idea: Talk through your ideas with a classmate. Pick the one that you are most interested in.

App Idea: _________________________________________________________________________________

Step 3. Survey Your Classmates: To design your app you’ll need to understand your users. For this project your user
is your classmate, and you’ll need to understand what information will be needed to make the decision.

Find two classmates and talk to them about your topic for a couple minutes. Then fill in this table.

Name What information is needed to make this decision?

Step 4: Storing information: What variables will be used to store information?

Name Information Stored Variable Type (string, number, Boolean)

Ex: age The age of the user number

Step 5: Flowchart: Draft a flowchart to show the decision making process

Example:

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Component Purpose

Start your flowchart with a question. What decision are you trying to make?

Baggies are used to represent the variables which store information. In your flowchart,
draw a small rectangle for the variables.

A diamond represents a decision point, based on the original question. Write the
Boolean expression that will be used to determine the answer.

True and False arrows designate the paths taken, based on the result of a decision
(diamond). Note that every decision may have only 2 possible paths that result from it,
one for true and one for false.

A rectangle at the end of a decision path represents a possible result.

A simple arrow indicates that we are moving from one action to the next without
considering any decision. These will generally be used to link a set of actions to be
completed one after the other.

Flowchart

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Design

Step 6. Design User Interface: In the space below draw a rough sketch of your user interface. This means you should
include all the buttons, text, and images that the user will be able to use. Write notes or draw arrows showing how
different user interface elements should work.

Note: There are no screen requirements for this app - you may use one or more screens.

Prototype

Step 7. Start Building Your App: Build your app. Along the way make sure you:
● Use the design you drew as a starting point, but it’s OK to update as you go.
● Reference the flow chart when setting up your conditional statements
● Use your debugging skills to check that your app is working
● Comment all functions explaining purpose (what does it do) and functionality (how does it work)

Test

Step 8. Testing: You will need to test your app to make sure it works as expected. To do that find at least two
classmates to use your app. While they use the app watch them to see if anything is broken or confusing. Afterwards
ask them to share any specific improvements they’d like to see.

Name Things that could be improved based on Improvements this person recommends
watching them use the app

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Step 9. Pick Improvements: Pick at least one improvement you plan to make to your app based on feedback you
collected from your classmate.

Improvement 1:
___________________________________________________________________________________

Improvement 2 (Optional):
___________________________________________________________________________________

Step 10: Complete Your App: Finish your app!

Step 11: Record Video. Record a video that demonstrates the running of your program as described below. Your
video may NOT contain voice narration and must be no more than 1 minute in length

Your video must demonstrate your program running, including:

Input to your program

At least one aspect of the functionality of your program
Output produced by your program

Question 1: Provide a written response that:

● describes the overall purpose of the program
● describes the functionality of your app
● describes the input and outputs of your app
(Approx 150 words)

Question 2: This project was created using a development process that required you to incorporate the
ideas of your partner and feedback from your classmates. Provide a written response that describes one
part of your app that was improved through input from EITHER your partner or feedback you received from
classmates. Include:
● Who specifically provided the idea or recommendation
● What their idea or recommendation was
● The specific change you made to your app’s user interface or functionality in response to the
recommendation
● How you believe this change improved your app
(Approx 150 words)

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Rubric - Checklist

Category Checklist Item

Planning guide is fully completed.

App Development Planning Guide

Video shows the program running, including input, program

Video functionality, and output.

Response accurately describes the purpose, functionality, and

Written Response 1 inputs/outputs of the app.

Response clearly describes an idea or recommendation

Written Response 2 provided by a partner/peer and how it improved the app.

The User Interface is easy to navigate, it's clear how the app is
User Interface designed to be used, and all text is readable.

No warnings or error messages appear when the app is run.

Code: Warnings & Error Messages

At least one number and one string are each stored in a variable
Code: Variables and used to make a decision.

A function is used to update the screen and is called at least two

Code: Function times in the program.

A conditional is used inside of the function to make a decision

based on information stored in variables, correctly using a logical
Code: Conditional operator in the Boolean expression, and displaying the decision
on the screen with at least three different responses.

The update screen function has a comment which clearly

Code: Comments explains its purpose and functionality.