Digital Progression Maps
Data and computational thinking
Computational thinking is a combination of scientific enquiry, problem-solving and thinking skills. Before learners can use computers to solve problems they must first understand the problem and the methods of solving them.
Through these elements learners will understand the importance of data and information literacy, and they will explore aspects of collection, representation and analysis. Learners will look at how data and information links into our digital world and will provide them with essential skills for the modern, dynamic workplace.
DATA INFORMATION AND LITERACY: DATABASES
Data handling is the process of collecting, organizing, analysing, and interpreting data. It involves gathering information from a variety of sources, such as surveys, experiments, or observations, and then sorting and classifying the data in a way that makes it easy to understand and analyse. The data is then analysed to look for patterns, trends, or relationships, and the information is used to draw conclusions or make inferences.
The goal of data handling is to extract meaningful and useful information from the data. Software such as j2data, Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel can be used for data handling tasks. Each of them has their own strengths and weaknesses, and users can choose the one that best fits their needs and preferences.
DATA INFORMATION AND LITERACY: SPREADSHEETS
Spreadsheets are used in the process of collecting, organizing, analysing, and interpreting data. It involves gathering information from a variety of sources, such as surveys, experiments, or observations, and then sorting and classifying the data in a way that makes it easy to understand and analyse. The data is then analysed to look for patterns, trends, or relationships, and the information is used to draw conclusions or make inferences.
Spreadsheets help us extract and model meaningful and useful information from the data. Software such as j2data, Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel can be used for data handling tasks. Each of them has their own strengths and weaknesses, and users can choose the one that best fits their needs and preferences.
PROBLEM SOLVING AND MODELLING: CODING
Computational thinking is the way of designing solutions to problems. It’s a way of breaking down complex problems into smaller manageable parts, identifying patterns and creating models to understand and solve problems. Computational thinking is a thinking skill that will help people solve problems more efficiently.
Programming, also known as coding, is the process of giving instructions to a computer using a specific programming language so that it can perform a specific task or solve a problem. Think of it as giving a set of instructions to a robot, so that it can do something you want or like giving a recipe to a chef so they can cook a dish you want to eat.
DATA INFORMATION AND LITERACY: GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS
A geographic information system (GIS) is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage, and present all types of geographical data. The key word to this technology is geographical – this means that some portion of the data is spatial. In other words, data that is in some way referenced to locations on the earth.
Geospatial data can be analysed to determine:
the location of features and relationships to other features
where the most and/or least of some feature exists
the density of features in a given space
what is happening inside an area of interest (AOI)
what is happening nearby some feature or phenomenon
how a specific area has changed over time (and in what way).
