Because essentially everything we do with a computer is being broken down into some form
of data, it is important for students to develop a breadth of understanding of how computers
handle data and how students can use those same data to solve problems such as raising
awareness for a cause, using census data to determine which state will gain seats in the House
of Representatives, or using traffic and cost data to determine the ideal location for prom. In this
big idea, students will gain a deep understanding of how information is stored on a computer
in binary and seamlessly translated into what is seen on the screen or heard through speakers.
Students will also learn how data are processed to learn something new. This big idea is often
paired with Big Idea 3: Algorithms and Programming and Big Idea 5: Impact of Computing.