Irving Independent School District Smart Solutions

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Facilitator Guide: Tech for Good Capstone — Research, Build, Test, and Showcase

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Unpublished

TEACHER ONLY · DAILY FACILITATOR GUIDE

Tech for Good Capstone — Research, Build, Test, and Showcase

Daily Learning Contract

Topic: Evidence-based technology-for-good design

Objective: Students will evaluate and refine a technology-for-good solution by using research, testing evidence, and feedback to justify design decisions.

TEKS:
  • §126.19(c)(3)(B) — discuss and implement a design process that includes planning, selecting digital tools to develop, test, and evaluate design limitations, and refining a prototype or model; and
  • §126.19(c)(5)(B) — apply appropriate search strategies, including keywords, Boolean operators, and limiters, to achieve a specified outcome that includes a variety of file formats.
  • §126.19(c)(9)(C) — create citations and cite sources for a variety of digital forms of intellectual property; and

Demonstration of learning: Chosen project artifact, credible-source research notes with citations, test or feedback evidence, one documented refinement, and final reflection explaining how the evidence shaped the solution.

Before class

  • Decide which of the six options the class can genuinely support before Day 1.
  • Test matching portfolio Google Doc copy links, Research Helper, Newsela/Britannica logins, and tool access.
  • Book showcase space; confirm printer queue or AR/cube access if those options remain open.

Five-part lesson flow

  1. Launch and choose: Days 1–2: introduce the cause/project menu, name tool limits honestly, choose a project, and use the Research Helper for credible-source notes.
  2. Plan: Days 3–4: model a project-specific plan and approve scope, sources, and artifact list.
  3. Build: Days 5–8: use protected work blocks, tool-specific mini-conferences, and documented troubleshooting.
  4. Test and refine: Day 9: gather peer or user feedback against project criteria and revise the product.
  5. Showcase and evidence: Day 10: present, complete portfolio/reflection, and verify that artifact links open.

Check before students leave

Each student has an approved scope, real-source evidence, a working artifact or documented limitation, and a final link/file that opens for the teacher.

Support without lowering the thinking

Offer a short menu rather than six unsupported choices. Use research stems and a source-record table; permit students to plan with sketches, audio notes, or labeled screenshots while holding the same research, build, test, and reflection expectations.