Chapter 3.10 - Impact of CS Electronic Documents
Time Estimate: 135 minutes
3.10.1. Introduction and Goals
Computing has transformed our lives in so many ways. Mobile computing, where we are constantly connected to others and to the world via our devices, is challenging us to develop new norms about privacy, security, rights, and other issues.
Like any technology, mobile computing has both positive and negative impacts. We need to reflect on these impacts in general and on the impacts of the mobile apps we create.
Learning Objectives: I will learn to
describe digital models and their renderings as abstractions
differentiate between data and metadata
describe what information can be extracted from metadata
Language Objectives: I will be able to
discuss the beneficial and harmful effects of computing innovations
use target vocabulary, such as modeling, and render, while discussing digital models, with the support of concept definitions and vocabulary notes from this lesson
3.10.2. Learning Activities
Chapter Three: Ghosts in the Machine: Secrets and Surprises of Electronic Documents
Chapter Three of Blown to Bits describes how digital documents, including images and sounds, are represented by sequences of bits. Why do you think this chapter is called "Ghosts in the Machine"?
As you learned in the previous lesson and as shown in the this diagram, the first step in representing an image is to convert it into a sequence of bits. This is known as modeling. The model is an abstract representation of the original image.
Activity: Read Chapter Three (up to page 99) to discover what's hidden in electronic documents.
Part 1: What You See Is Not What the Computer Knows - Read pg. 73 and 74 out loud as a class and discuss the word "redacted." Continue reading this section (up to pg. 80), using the Conversation Questions Template to write down a question about 3-4 ideas that were important, surprising, or thought provoking. In small groups, discuss your questions. Metadata (data about data) is described and discussed on pg. 78-80. Here are a few additional things you should know about metadata:
Metadata are used for finding, organizing, and managing information.
Metadata can increase the effective use of data or data sets by providing additional information.
Metadata allow data to be structured and organized.
Part 2: Representation, Reality, and Illusion - Read pg. 80-94 and complete the Now That's Surprising Template. In small groups, discuss your notes.
Part 3: Hiding Information in Images (pg. 95-99) is called steganography. First, answer the question below, then read the chapter pages as needed to help you complete this activity—you'll have an opportunity to hide your initials, or some 3-letter word, in an image. Try it, it's fun!
3.10.3. Summary
In this lesson, you learned how to:
Learning Objective DAT-1.D: Compare data compression algorithms to determine which is best in a particular context.
Learning Objective DAT-2.B: Describe what information can be extracted from metadata.
3.10.4. Still Curious?
Printers sometimes add secret dots to documents when they're printed, very similar to steganography. In fact, the secret dots on a leaked, classified document were able to help the FBI identify a potential suspect. Read more in this article from the BBC.
3.10.5. Self Check
Vocabulary
Here is a table of the technical terms introduced in this lesson. Hover over the terms to review the definitions.
algorithm
analog
ASCII
cloud computing
cryptography
digital
download
lossless compression
lossy compression
megabyte
megapixel
modeling
OCR
pixel
raster
render
spam
steganography
upload
Check Your Understanding
Complete the following self-check exercises.
Q-1: AP 2021 Sample Question: A digital photo file contains data representing the level of red, green, and blue for each pixel in the photo. The file also contains metadata that describe the date andgeographic location where the photo was taken. For which of the following goals would analyzing the metadata be more appropriate than analyzing the data?
A. Determining the number of people that appear in the photo
B. Determining the likelihood that the photo is a picture of the sky
C. Determining the likelihood that the photo was taken at a particular public event
D. Determining the usability of the photo for projection onto a particular color background
3.10.6. Reflection: For Your Portfolio
Answer the following portfolio reflection questions as directed by your instructor. Questions are also available in this Google Doc where you may use File > Make a Copy to make your own editable copy.
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