Chapter 6.10 - Impacts of CS Crowdsourcing with Citizen Science Apps
Time Estimate: 90 minutes
6.10.1. Introduction and Goals
Computing innovations impact our lives in many ways that require considerable study and reflection for us to fully understand them. In this performance task, you will explore a citizen science computing innovation in preparation for exploring an innovation of your choosing. A computing innovation is an innovation that includes a computer or program code as an integral part of its functionality. Your close examination of this computing innovation will deepen your understanding of computer science principles.
Learning Objectives: I will learn to
explain how people participate in problem-solving processes at scale
research the impact of a computing innovation on society, economy, and culture
describe how the use of computing innovations can raise legal, ethical, and privacy concerns
Language Objectives: I will be able to
use target vocabulary, such as crowdsourcing while describing the impact of citizen science apps, with the support of concept definitions and vocabulary notes from this lesson
6.10.2. Learning Activities
Citizen Science Apps
As an example of a computing innovation, let’s explore citizen science apps. Citizen science apps rely on a concept called crowdsourcing, where data or information is collected from a large number of people via the Internet. Crowdsourcing allows people to collaborate on a project by each contributing a small portion of the data, the funding, etc. Watch Episode 1 of The Crowd and the Cloud. If you do not have time to watch the entire hour-long episode, then focus on the OpenStreetMap [16:55-28:30] and EyesOnALZ [28:30-41:57] segments. Then review the citizen science projects listed at Scistarter Find A Project.
Activity: Impact of Citizen Science Apps
Next, search the citizen science projects listed at SciStarter Find a Project. Use one of the projects listed as your computing innovation to answer the questions below. Make sure the citizen science project you select involves a computing innovation that includes a computer, website, or mobile app as a part of its functionality.
What citizen science app did you explore? What is the purpose of the app? Describe functionality of the app
What data does the app use and how does the app use the data collected? For example, as a citizen scientist using the BloomWatch app, you would take pictures of cyanobacteria blooms in water and submit the image along with the date, the state and town, weather conditions, surface water conditions, bloom size, public access to the water, and any comments you’d like to add. BloomWatch specifies they will store it in a public database for analysis in helping to understand the occurrence and locations of cyanobacteria blooms, but they might also send the data to state water quality agencies. (Hint: you might need to install the app or look at screenshots of the app to find out the data it collects.)
What are the intended positive impacts of your citizen science app? What might be some unintended negative impacts? You might consider impacts on society, the economy, culture, etc.
After you’ve answered these questions, find a partner and share your apps and the answers to the questions. Was the purpose clear for the computing innovation? Can you suggest additional impacts or data?
6.10.3. Summary
In this lesson, you learned how to:
Learning Objective IOC-1.E: Explain how people participate in problem-solving processes at scale.
Widespread access to information and public data facilitates the identification of problems, development of solutions, and dissemination of results.
Science has been affected by using distributed and citizen science to solve scientific problems.
Citizen science is scientific research conducted in whole or part by distributed individuals, many of whom may not be scientists, who contribute relevant data to research using their own computing devices.
Crowdsourcing is the practice of obtaining input or information from a large number of people via the Internet.
Human capabilities can be enhanced by collaboration via computing.
Crowdsourcing offers new models for collaboration, such as connecting businesses or social causes with funding.
Learning Objective IOC-1.F: Explain how the use of computing can raise legal and ethical concerns.
Computing innovations can raise legal and ethical concerns. Some examples of these include: - the development of software that allows access to digital media downloads and streaming - the development of algorithms that include bias - the existence of computing devices that collect and analyze data by continuously monitoring activities
Learning Objective IOC-2.A: Describe the risks to privacy from collecting and storing personal data on a computer system.
Technology enables the collection, use, and exploitation of information about, by, and for individuals, groups, and institutions.
Learning Objective IOC-2.B: Explain how computing resources can be protected and can be misused.
Encryption is the process of encoding data to prevent unauthorized access. Decryption is the process of decoding the data. Two common encryption approaches are: - Symmetric key encryption involves one key for both encryption and decryption. - Public key encryption pairs a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. The sender does not need the receiver’s private key to encrypt a message, but the receiver’s private key is required to decrypt the message. Exclusion Statement (EK IOC-2.B.5): Specific mathematical procedures for encryption and decryption are beyond the scope of this course and the AP Exam.
Computer virus and malware scanning software can help protect a computing system against infection.
A computer virus is a malicious program that can copy itself and gain access to a computer in an unauthorized way. Computer viruses often attach themselves to legitimate programs and start running independently on a computer.
Malware is software intended to damage a computing system or to take partial control over its operation.
Learning Objective IOC-2.C: Explain how unauthorized access to computing resources is gained.
Phishing is a technique that attempts to trick a user into providing personal information. That personal information can then be used to access sensitive online resources, such as bank accounts and emails.
6.10.4. Still Curious?
Citizen science apps are just one example of crowdsourcing in computer science. What are some other examples you can think of? Try exploring the list of articles related to computing on diigo for ideas.
6.10.5. Self Check
Here is a table of the technical terms introduced in this lesson. Hover over the terms to review the definitions.
crowdsourcing
6.10.6. 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.
Keep these questions in mind as you do the assigned readings. Write complete sentences to answer these questions.
(Activity) Which citizen science app did you explore? What is the purpose of the app? Describe the functionality of the app.
(Activity) What data does the app use and how does the app use the data collected?
(Activity) What are the intended positive impacts of your citizen science app? What might be some unintended negative impacts? You might consider impacts on society, the economy, culture, etc.
Portfolio Reflection Questions
Make a copy of this document in your Portfolio Assignments folder and answer these questions in the spaces below. Once complete, turn in this assignment according to the steps given by your teacher.
6.10 Impacts of CS: Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Apps Page
Keep these questions in mind as you do the assigned readings. Write complete sentences to answer these questions.
1. Which citizen science app did you explore? What is the purpose of the app? Describe the functionality of the app.
2. What data does the app use and how does the app use the data collected? For example, as a citizen scientist using the BloomWatch app, you would take pictures of cyanobacteria blooms in water and submit the image along with the date, the state and town, weather conditions, surface water conditions, bloom size, public access to the water, and any comments you’d like to add. BloomWatch specifies they will store it in a public database for analysis in helping to understand the occurrence and locations of cyanobacteria blooms, but they might also send the data to state water quality agencies. (Hint: you might need to install the app or look at screenshots of the app to find out the data it collects.)
3. What are the intended positive impacts of your citizen science app? What might be some unintended negative impacts? You might consider impacts on society, the economy, culture, etc.
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