Read the movie description that appears below the movie player on the Ada Lovelace Topic Page. Then use the following prompts to encourage class discussion before, during, and after watching the movie.

Before

  • What does the movie description tell you about Ada Lovelace?
  • What do you think the first computers looked like?  

During (Pause Points)

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

  • Timecode 01:52: What about Ada Lovelace’s upbringing was unusual for the era?
  • Timecode 2:18: How did the Difference Engine differ from other devices of the time? What modern device is it most similar to?
  • Timecode 2:24: What can you tell about Lovelace from the fact that she understood the potential of the Analytical Engine?
  • Timecode 04:04: What about Lovelace’s insights re. the Bernoulli numbers sounds similar to terms used in computer programming today?

After

  • Can you think of ways in which sequences are still important in computer programming?
  • What kind of profession might Lovelace have today?

 

 

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments