Week 11- Database Design

Database Design

Database Development

• A database is a collection of data
• A data dictionary is a description of every field in a database
• The components that make up a database are queries, reports, forms and tables
• The inputs of a database system are file, record, field and character
• There are 5 data types including: Text, Number, Yes/No, Currency and Date

Collecting, Organising and Storing Data

• Databases save automatically
• Examples of a primary source of data includes interviews, surveys and census
• Examples of a secondary source of data includes books, statistics and newspapers
• Information should be accurate, verifiable, timely, organised, accessible, useful and cost effective
• The components that are stored when you save your data are records, designs, tables, dictionaries, reports and forms
• Validation is checking of errors
• Verification is checking the accuracy

Methods of Processing and Analysing Data

• = symbol is used to start a mathematical calculation
• Macros perform repetitive tasks
• Editing is the process of changing data, like inserting, deleting and moving data
• Sorting is arranging data, for example ascending, descending and alphabetical
• Searching is the process of locating data and information. You can search in the find or search commands

Methods of Presenting Information

• Report are not interactive, they include a Header, Body/Text and Footer
• In layout view you can pick themes, change fonts, colours and size
• Forms are a way of presenting data from individual records and they can be edited and new data can be entered

Integration

• Data can be exchanged between databases and spread sheets
• Data can be exchanged, imported and exported
• 3 stages of importing a graphic into a database include: Select, open and locate
• Data can be exported to spread sheets, word processed documents and webpages

Week 10- Technology in the Workplace and Software Development and Programming

Technology in the Workplace
Technology is used everyday in the workplace and now bosses, employees and clients do not have to be physically in an office to work together. Whether it be at home, a distant office, across the world or a car, bosses, employees and clients can contact each other by mobile phone, email and skype, just to name a few.

The importance of technology in the workplace includes:

• improvements in communication, as employees aren't limited to phone use only
• efficiency, saves time as it speeds up the work process
• mobility
• allows business' to expand quicker

The impact of technology in the workplace includes:

• new technology has been introduced into workplaces at a very high rate, which can mean that companies and employees are struggling to keep up with the new technology or they may have trouble learning as quick as the technology is coming out.
• new technology has expanded companies providing new opportunities for non-traditional work arrangements. For example working teams can be made up of the best people even though they aren't all in the same state.

Software Development and Programming

Software development and programming is made up of the following:

• GUI layout
• Data types
• Data operators
• Algorithms
• Control structures
• Desk checking
• Sub-programs
• Programming language
• Data structures
• Testing
• Error detection
• Error correction
• Programming code

An example of software development is SCRATCH. This can be used in the classroom to help show students what software development and programming is, by giving them a practical task to complete.

References:

• Scott, S. (2012) Importance of Technology in the Workplace. Retrieved May 4, 2012 from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-technology-workplace-10607.html
• Todd, J. (2007) What is the impact of new technology in the workplace. Retrieved May 4, 2012 from http://www.helium.com/items/436615-what-is-the-impact-of-new-technology-in-the-workplace

Week 9- Software and Robotics and Automated Systems

Software
Instructions and data which can be stored electronically, classes as Software.

There are 3 types of software:

• Application software- including word processors, graphic editors, communication software and business software
• Operating software- controls the hardware and acts as an interface between the application programs and the hardware.
• Utility programs- these have a specific task to perform, however they usually run in the background of your computer, e.g. virus protection software

There are 3 types of interfaces:

• Command Line Interface (CLI)
• Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• Natural Language Interface (NLI)

Examples of Software include:

• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Office- Word, Excel, Powerpoint
• iTunes
• Adobe

SOFTWARE

Robotics and Automated Systems
NASA states that robotics is the study of robots and that robots are used to do jobs. Some may work on their own, but others may require a human programming information into it to tell it what to do. Some important points regarding robotics include:

• Robotics is a prime example of Artificial Intelligence
• Robots replace jobs that are to dangerous for humans
• 2 types of robots; Stationary (found in assembly lines in factories) and Mobile (domestic robots, e.g. toys)
• Robots are run on hydraulic systems, involving sensory devices, actuators and controlling devices

Example of a Space Robot



The following videos shows an example of robots in action:
NOTE: Warning the second video may contain gruesome footage. However it demonstrates the use of robots in everday society.

References:

• Hitt, D. (2009) What is Robotics? Retrieved April 27, from http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/robotics/home/what_is_robotics_58.html

Week 8- Networking Systems

Networking Systems

According to Husted (2012), "A network operating system (NOS) which is a software program in itself, controls software and hardware that run on its network. It allows multiple computers to communicate with one main computer and each other, so they can share resources, run applications, and send messages. A computer network consists of a wireless network, which include:

• local area network (LAN)



• wide area network (WAN)



The following video provides an example of a networking system in use:



References:

• Husted, H. (2012) What is a Network Operating System?. Retrieved April 20, 2012 from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-network-operating-system.htm
• LAN System [Image] (n.d.) Retrieved April 20, 2012 from http://tniscorp.com/net/content/lan-system-fremont-ca
• In-home displays for smart grid [Image] (n.d.) Retrieved April 20, 2012, from http://www.cnx-software.com/2010/11/26/in-home-displays-for-smart-grid-atmel-mentor-embedded/

Week 7- Past, Current and Emerging Technologies and Artifical Intelligence, Simulation and Modelling

Past, Current and Emerging Technologies

Past Technologies:
Past Technologies come between the years of 1642 and 1966. Some include:

• 1642: Blaise Pascal invented a machine with gears and wheels that could add and subtract
• 1805: Joseph-Marie Jacquard invented an automated loom, known as the jacquard loom
• 1820s: Charles Babbage designed a machine called the 'Difference Engine' to calculate mathematical tables to twenty decimal places. Then in 1834 he designed the first digital computer called the 'Analytical Engine' (shown below)

• 1939: Howard Aiken, whilst working at IBM, constructed a fully working calculator, however it was 17x2.5m
• 1943: Alan Turing and his team of mathematicians invented the first electronic digital computer, Colossus
• 1951: the first electronic computer became available to sell
• 1966: computers made after this time were made much smaller, were cheaper and worked at higher speeds.

Current Technologies:

Current technology is apart of the digital revolution, as all information is represented in the form of digits and numbers. Current technologies include:

• Mobile phones
• Internet
• Digital Radio
• Digital Television
• Networks (LAN and WAN)

Examples of the impact of Current Technologies include:

• Banking: now we have plastic debit and credit cards which enable us to use Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) and Electronic Funds Transfer at Point Of Sale (EFTPOS). Further than this internet banking allows us to make transactions using BPAY.
• Offices: use a large range of software including word, spreadsheets and databases.
• Design: computer aided design (CAD) software is used to produce drawings of products, so that a new product can be visualised.

Emerging Technologies:
Emerging Technologies are those that are just starting to appear, with new ideas coming into the market.
Examples of Emerging Technologies include:

• Embedded Intelligence- this is the process of putting a computer inside a device so that it can perform specific tasks
• Nanotechnology- the process of making a product smaller

Information on the technologies provides an insight into the history of technology and can demonstrate to students how far technology has evolved.

Artifical Intelligence, Simulation and Modelling

Artificial Intelligence:

(AI) is giving computers the ability to think like a human being. The term intelligence is given because the operation completed by the computer would be classed as intelligent by human standards.

The following example demonstrates what Artificial Intelligence is:

Artificial Simulation:
Artificial Simulation is using the models from Artificial Modelling to physically demonstrate concepts. It's used to analysis real life concepts so that solutions can be determined easily. Simulations use physical, mathematical and computer models.

The following example demonstrates what Artificial Simulation is:

This link is a bit of fun and to show you how Artificial Simulation is used in society:
http://geoquake.jp/en/webgame/DrivingSimulator/

Artificial Modelling:
Artificial Modelling is the representation of real world aspects in the form of a model. It's used when concepts are to hard to reproduce or they are to expensive.

The link is a demonstration of Artificial Modelling-

Teacher's can use the resources in the Artificial Intelligence, Simulation and Modelling to help show students the concepts in a practical manner.

References:

• http://web2.warilla-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/dept/computing/9%20IST/Computing%20Environments/ISTch02.pdf
• http://ibtgsdarwin.wikispaces.com/file/view/AI+simulation+and+modelling
• Analytical Engine [Image] (n.d.) Retrieved April 6 2012, from http://www.kerryr.net/pioneers/gallery/ns_babbage6.htm

Week 6- Digital Media

Digital Media

A simplified definition of digital media is the content, whether it is text, graphics, audio and video, that can be transmitted over the Internet (Digital Media, n.d.). It is any type of media represented in an electronic format for the convenience of entertainment purposes. Different types of media include:

-          Digital media= is accessed using computers, mobile devices and television mostly for entertainment and educational purposes

-          Audio media= and music media is accessed via mp3 or radio devices. Audio files are easy to share amongst each other and are cost effective as it can be downloaded off the Internet

-          Visual media= and video media is used mainly to share ideas, information and entertainment with everyone

-          Gaming media= most often found in a physical format which must be purchased at video game retailers, or the more convenient downloadable forms that are found on the Internet

Some examples of the ways teachers and students can use and subsequently use digital media:

Teachers	Students
Slidecast: Photos Graphics Reports Stories Screencast: Tutorials Software Podcast: Lessons Interviews Summaries Reviews Updates Vodcast: Role plays Discussions Projects Tutorials	Create: Digital reports Record: Audio interviews Project summaries Develop: Multimedia presentations Produce: Video projects

References:

·         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQRTjCZ0B_Q

·         Digital Media (n.d.) Retrieved March 30, 2012, from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/digital-media.html

·         What are the different types of multimedia? (n.d.) Retrieved March 30, 2012, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-digital-media.htm

·         Lifelong Learning. (2007) Digital Media in Teaching and Learning. Retrieved March 30, 2012, from http://www.slideshare.net/tonywh/digital-media-in-teaching-and-learning

Week 5- Hardware, Authoring and Multimedia

Hardware

Hardware refers to any external parts, which are connected, to the computer that you can physically touch. Some examples of hardware include:

-          Keyboards

-          Mouse

-          Hard drive

-          USB

Teachers can use hardware to make classroom activities relating to computers easier and more practical to complete.

Authoring

“Authoring is the process of compiling the individual video, audio, image and graphic assets of your content into a format that will play on multiple types of players and devices” (What is Authoring? 2010). It also involves the creation of an interactive user interface that allows users to access various elements of the content.

Multimedia

Multimedia is when computers use text, audio, video, animation, images and interactive features in various ways to create an interesting way of presenting content (Loretto, P., n.d.). By combining different types of media’s, multimedia becomes more interesting as different parts of the multimedia would appeal to different kinds of people. For example: combining a website with video, audio, or text images, makes the multimedia more fun because it has lots of different aspects to look at, but also it appeals to everyone’s different multiple intelligences, providing an opportunity for different learning types.

References:

·         What is computer hardware? (2007) Retrieved March 23, 2012, from

http://www.machine-information-systems.com/What_is_Computer_Hardware.html

·         http://www.warepin.com/computer-hardware-3/

·         Simpson, A. (n.d.) What is hardware?. Retrieved March 23, 2012, from http://www.coolnerds.com/Newbies/Hardware/hardware.htm

·         What is Authoring? (2010) Retrieved March 23, 2012, from http://www.cinemagnetics.com/media-services/dvd-bluray-authoring/178-what-is-authoring.html

·         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP1OEx_i4Fg

·         Loretto, P. (n.d.) What is Multimedia? Retrieved March 23, 2012, from http://internships.about.com/od/internshipsquestions/g/whatismultimedia.htm

·         http://www.pak4u.com/pakmart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=18_22

Week 4- Data Handling, Internet and Website Development

Data Handling

“The process of ensuring that research data is stored, disposed of and archived in a safe and secure manner during and after the conclusion of a research project. This includes the development of policies and procedures to manage data handled electronically as well as through non-electronic means” (Data Handling, n.d.). Issues that must be considered in data handling include:

-          Type of data being handled and the impact it will have on the environment

-          Type of data and its storage capacity, handling and storage requirements, reliability, longevity, retrieval effectiveness, and ease of upgrade to newer media.

-          Data handling responsibilities and privileges. Meaning who can handle which portion of data

-          Data handling procedures. This will describe how long the data should be kept and when and how data should be handled for storage, sharing, archival, retrieval and disposal purposes.

Internet

The Internet is a vast computer network linking up smaller networks worldwide. The Internet is made up of a series of networks such as commercial and governmental, which make the Internet whole. As teachers we can use the Internet for many different purposes such as lesson preparation, class activities, assignments and research tasks.

Website Development

Web design is the process of designing and building the pages that make up your web site. The key to successful web design is to register your domain name, have your web pages professionally designed, get your web pages hosted on a secure server, promote your web site and keep it up to date.

References:

·         Internet. (n.d.) Retrieved March 16, 2012, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/internet

·         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hIQjrMHTv4

·         Data Handling. (n.d.) Retrieved March 16, 2012, from http://ori.dhhs.gov/education/products/n_illinois_u/datamanagement/dhtopic.html

·         What does web design involve? (2003) Retrieved March 16, 2012, from http://www.totalcsl.co.uk/webdesign.asp

·         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIwnMm17p0c

Week 3- Rubrics

A rubric is an evaluation tool for a teacher that gives themselves, students and parents a description the criteria that must be completed in order to successfully achieve the class. It provides a purpose for the work being completed demonstrating what is actually required from the task. There are generally two types of rubrics:

1.       Holistic= students work is given as a single score, therefore the whole assignment is given just one mark

2.       Analytical= gives separate scores for each individual criteria at each point of the assignment, providing extensive feedback

Why do we use rubrics?

According to Goodrich (Just what is a rubric, 1997):         

- they help students and teachers to define quality

- students will begin to accept more responsibility for their end product as they will be able to identify where they are making errors and subsequently will be able to fix them for next time

- reduces the time teachers spend on grading

- helps parents to understand what their children are doing at school and gives them an opportunity to help the children whilst actually knowing what they need to achieve

 

How do we develop rubrics?

“To develop a rubric we use 8 simple steps:

1.       Determine what the assessment will encompass

2.       Review previous student work and/or other rubrics to identify any additional assessment criteria

3.       Define each dimension

4.       Adopt a scale for describing the range of products/performances and write a description for each dimension for each point on the scale

5.       Develop a draft rubric

6.       Evaluate the rubric

7.       Pilot test, revise, and try the rubric again

8.       Share the rubric with students and their parents” (Rubric use and development, n.d.)

Example of a rubric:

References:

·         Just what is a rubric? (1997) Retrieved March 9, 2012, from http://www.middleweb.com/CSLB2rubric.html

·         Rubric use and development. (n.d.) Retrieved March 9, 2012, from http://www.bused.org/rsabe/rsabe05.pdf

·         http://www.echospace.org/articles/522/sections/1802

Week 2- IST, Copyright and Policies

Information and Software Technology (IST)

Information and Software Technology helps students to develop knowledge, understanding, confidence and creativity in analysing, designing, developing and evaluating information and software technology solutions (Information and Software Technology, n.d.)

Copyright

Copyright is the term given to a type of property that is founded on a person's creative skill and labour. It is designed to prevent unauthorised people using the work in its original form and taking credit for it as their own (What is copyright?, 2011). Copyright acts a form of protection for original works and it literally means the right to copy. Copyright infringement is when work that has copyright protection is copied, distributed, or made into some other work without the permission of the owner (What is copyright infringement?, n.d.).

How does copyright affect teachers?

As teachers we must ensure that we are not “stealing” other people’s work through use on worksheet, presentations and other media projects. Copyright can costs schools thousands of dollars, so we must ensure we are doing to right thing. To ensure protection from copyright the © symbol should be used at the end of each page at all times.

Policy

A policy is a plan or course of action intended to influence and determine decisions and actions of relationships. A policy is neither right nor wrong, but it does act as a contract for business deals and work requirements. The following is a brief example of what a policy could look like.

References:

·         Information and Software Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2012, from http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/technology/7_10/information/index.htm

·         What is Copyright? (2011). Retrieved March 2, 2012, from http://www.ag.gov.au/Copyright/Pages/Whatiscopyright.aspx

·         http://www.youtube.com/t/copyright_what_is

·         How do Copyright Laws Affect You as a Teacher? (2011). Retrieved March 2, 2012, from http://theteachingbank.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/how-do-copyright-laws-affect-you-as.html

·         Policy. (n.d.) Retrieved March 2, 2012, from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/policy

·         http://www.missmaud.com.au/Restaurant/HouseManagementPolicy.aspx

Week 1- Ethics and Ethical Issues

“Ethics involves systemising, defending and recommending concepts of right and wrong behaviour” (Fieser, 2009). Ethics can be divided into 3 main areas:

1.       Metaethics: where our ethics come from

2.       Normative ethics: moral standards that regulate right or wrong conduct

3.       Applied ethics: examining specific controversial issues

Although the distinction between each area is vague as, for example the issue of abortion is an applied ethical topic however it is dependent upon general normative ethics. The issue also involves metaethics as we try to determine where rights come from. Ethics are important as they are essential for human life. Ethics guides us through life with direction, by knowing the difference between right and wrong we are able to understand limits and boundaries and achieve goals with great success.

Ethical issues that are associated with technology include:

-          Privacy= the use and misuse of data about individuals, which is stored in computer systems

-          Accuracy= inaccurate data has the potential to ruin people’s lives, whether it be their career or livelihood

-          Property= “electronic information on different media makes property right for information and software a difficult legal and ethical question. Intellectual property law is now a specialty in the legal profession” (Computer related ethical issues, n.d.)

-          Access= the ability for individuals to gain restricted information

An example of an ethical issue is ATM fraud. ATM fraud involves cards being skimmed of money by people who have created devices that can take money straight out of your bank account whilst you enter you details, such as member numbers and pins. This ethical issue raises ideals of privacy invasion, stolen property and access.

References:

·         Fieser, J. (2009). Ethics. Retrieved March 2, 2012, from http://www.iep.utm.edu/ethics/#SH3b

·         Landauer, J., Rowlands, J. (2001). Ethics. Retrieved March 2, 2012, from http://www.importanceofphilosophy.com/Ethics_Main.html

·         Computer-Related Ethical Issues. (n.d.) Retrieved March 2, 2012, from http://www.blurtit.com/q248732.html

·         Social and ethical issues in computer science. (n.d.) Retrieved March 2, 2012, from http://www.fixedpoint.org/sarah/seweb.pdf

·         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p6Ff7DcnBc