Unit 2 Computing

In Unit 2 students concentrate on creating solutions that automate the processing of data and how they can be enhanced by the application of computational, design and systems thinking skills. The solutions created must be able to handle new data sets, i.e. they are solutions to ongoing problems. For example, macros, conditions and calculations built into solutions enable new data sets to be input to generate new information and reports.

In this unit, students foster their computational thinking skills by using a programming or scripting language to develop solutions to ongoing problems, create data visualisations, and create a solution using database management software.

In Area of Study 1 students design and then use the Python programming language to create fully functional working modules from teacher provided requirements. When designing, students need to consider the characteristics of effective user interfaces.

In Area of Study 2 students engage in a two-step approach to create data visualisations.

1. use appropriate software tools to access, choose and manipulate complex data from large repositories of data. In effect, students acquire and prepare the data. Examples of software tools that can be used for the first step are a spreadsheet, database or programming language such as Python.
2. present the salient features of the data in a meaningful visual form. Examples of software tools that can be used for the second step are Tableau, Google motion, QlikView, SPSS Visualisation Designer and OpenHeatMap.

Area of Study 3 requires students to analyse a need or opportunity, and design and develop a database solution. The evaluation stage focuses on the risks and benefits of personally using a database system developed by someone else such as banking or online purchasing.

The following mindmap outlines the key content of this unit