Stage 5 Digital Technologies

Computational Thinking

• Computational thinking is a method of solving complex problems using digital technologies.
• It involves 5 key strategies: decomposition, data organisation, abstraction, algorithms, and patterns and models.

Organising Data Logically

• Collecting and analysing data is crucial in solving problems.
• Organising data in a logical way helps to make sense of it.

Decomposition

• Breaking down complex problems into smaller parts makes them easier to understand and solve.
• Decomposition involves identifying the key components of a problem.

Abstraction

• Abstraction involves extracting key ideas from a problem, idea, or solution.
• It helps to focus on the essential details by hiding unnecessary complexity.

Interpret Patterns

• Identifying patterns within data helps to form a greater understanding of the problem.
• Patterns can be used to make predictions and inform decisions.

Design Steps & Sequences (Algorithm)

• An algorithm is a logical sequence of steps used to solve a complex problem.
• Algorithms can be represented as a set of instructions or graphically as a flow chart.

The Power of Computational Thinking

• Computational thinking often involves computers or other digital devices.
• The processing power of computers helps to process and solve complex problems and develop innovative digital solutions.

Applying Computational Thinking

• Decomposition involves breaking down a problem into smaller parts.
• Abstraction involves identifying the key ideas and hiding unnecessary complexity.
• Algorithms can be used to create a step-by-step solution to a problem.
• Patterns and models can be used to identify relationships and make predictions.

Systems & Systems Thinking

• A system is an organised group of related components that form a whole.
• A bicycle can be considered a system, comprising related components such as wheels, gears, brakes, and pedals that are organised to form a whole.

Examples of Systems

• Education system
• Solar heating system
• Electoral system

Systems Thinking

• Systems thinking is a key thinking skill in the Technologies learning area.
• It involves analysing how components interact and relate to each other.
• When using systems thinking, each component is analysed to understand how it interacts with other components in the system.

Systems Thinking Activity

• Identify a Digital Technology that can be thought of as a system.
• List the components in that system.
• Explain the role of each component in the system.
• Diagrammatically show how each component interacts with each other.
• Identify possible barriers in the system from a futurist perspective.
• Consider how to invest in better components to improve the system.

Design Thinking

• Design thinking is a strategy for understanding design needs and opportunities, visualizing and generating creative and innovative ideas, and analyzing and evaluating those ideas that best meet the criteria for success.

Key Components of Design Thinking

• Understanding design needs and opportunities:
  • Identifying a problem to solve
  • Identifying a market opportunity to take advantage of
  • Defining the target users
  • Determining the major user needs and constraints
• Visualizing and generating creative and innovative ideas:
  • Using imagination and lateral thinking skills
  • Leveraging existing knowledge
  • Developing creative ideas
  • Considering how data can be presented to users for better understanding
• Analyzing and evaluating ideas and solutions:
  • Analyzing and measuring performance
  • Testing possible ideas
  • Identifying strengths and weaknesses
  • Gathering feedback from stakeholders through interviews

Design Thinking in Solution Development

• When designing a solution to a problem, designers consider:
  • How users will be presented with data
  • The degree of interaction with that data
  • The various types of computational processing required

Digital Systems

• Digital systems transform data into digital solutions, and when connected, form a network.
• There are hardware and software components in digital systems.

Transporting Data in Internetworked Digital Systems

• Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) provides a reliable, ordered, and error-checked data stream between hosts in an internetworked system.
• Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) is a standard for security measures applied to Wi-Fi networks.
• IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) is a series of modulation techniques for data transmission.

Securing Data in Internetworked Systems

• Secure Socket Layer (SSL) uses public and private keys to encrypt data.
• Transport Layer Security (TLS) uses public and private keys to encrypt data.
• Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) uses an encryption algorithm like Triple DES or CAST-128 to encrypt messages.

Components of Digital Systems

• Memory is controlled by the operating system.
• Components of digital systems include:
  • Input components (e.g., touch screen, camera, microphone)
  • Output components
  • Storage components (e.g., flash storage)
  • Communication components (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular)

The Operating System

• The operating system is low-level software that supports the basic functions of a digital system.
• There are four types of operating systems:
  • Real-time operating system (RTOS)
  • Single-user operating system (single tasking)
  • Single-user operating system (multi-tasking)
  • Multi-user operating system
• Examples of operating systems include Windows, Android, Linux, and OS X (Mac).

The Operating System: The Manager

• The operating system conducts processing, manages data transmission, converts data into different representations (e.g., binary), and coordinates hardware components.
• The operating system manages memory, processes, and hardware.

The Operating System: The Guide

• The operating system sits between the hardware and application layers of a digital system.
• The operating system manages the interactions between all layers of a digital system.

The Operating System: The Powerhouse

• The operating system provides:
  • User interface (e.g., graphical user interface, UX)
  • Communication services (e.g., Bluetooth, internet protocols)
  • Media services (e.g., codecs, audio, video)
  • Data services (e.g., storage, databases)
  • Middleware services (e.g., device drivers, kernel)

Functions in Algorithms

• A function groups a set of related algorithm process steps together and gives them a name.
• Functions can be reused for different purposes, such as making a milkshake with different flavors.
• Abstraction is the concept of hiding detail, allowing for reuse of functions.

Algorithm Representation

• Flowcharts can be used to represent algorithms visually.
• Pseudo-code is a way to represent algorithms using structured English and keywords.
• Keywords used in pseudo-code include IF, THEN, ELSE, WHILE, and FOR.

Converting Flowcharts to Pseudo-code

• To convert a process block to pseudo-code, remove the shape and use indentation to structure statements.
• To convert a decision block to pseudo-code, remove the shape and change the question to an expression.
• Use uppercase to show special keywords for decisions and loops.

Repeating Statements

• Keywords to use for repeating sections are: REPEAT … UNTIL expr, WHILE expr … END WHILE, and FOR i from minValue to maxValue ….
• Statements for the true branch go between THEN and ELSE.
• Statements for the false branch go between ELSE and ENDIF.

Next Steps

• Review how to write algorithms in pseudo-code.
• Select an activity from the activity list and re-write a flowchart in pseudo-code.

Introduction to Ebenezer Coded Creations

• Ebenezer Coded Creations is a renowned company in the tech industry, known for its innovative contributions.
• As an intern, you will learn to create digital solutions, manage projects, design user experiences, and understand internetworked systems.

Stakeholders in a Project

• A project involves interactions between four main stakeholders: developer intern, project manager, client, and end user.
• Effective communication between stakeholders is crucial for creating quality digital solutions.

Roles and Responsibilities

Developer Intern

• The developer intern is responsible for engineering digital solutions to complex problems.
• Tasks include designing user experiences (UX) and user interfaces (UI), writing code, conducting meetings, identifying functional and non-functional requirements, developing skills in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and planning and developing projects.

Project Manager

• The project manager reports to senior management and oversees the project.
• Responsibilities include ensuring stakeholder needs are met, supporting developers, completing projects on time, and ensuring deliverables meet quality benchmarks.

Client

• The client is the person or organization for whom the company is producing services.
• The client's needs must be specified to develop an appropriate solution, and careful interviewing can help identify functional and non-functional requirements.

End-User

• The end-user is the person for whom the digital solution is designed.
• When designing for the end-user, consider user experience and user interface, as they determine many non-functional requirements.