8162 Computer Interfacing Unit Outline

This unit builds upon the skills developed in 8111 Computer Literacy. Similar Skills are targeted, but a greater depth of skills and understanding is expected.

TP 3 Uses an understanding of the relationship between aesthetics and social and environmental effects when generating and communicating designs, both graphically and through models; plans and achieves production, making safe and efficient use of resources; and evaluates whether criteria relating to functional and aesthetic criteria were met.

TP 4 Considers the values and beliefs held by the developer and user when determining the appropriateness of technologies; applies this understanding when creating, communicating and justifying designs; and in planning, adapting and producing technologies includes social and environmental criteria when evaluating progress and results.

TP 5 Understands the relationship between the needs of individuals, communities and environments and assesses the appropriateness of existing technologies; considers functional, aesthetic, social and environmental issues in design and production proposals; safely and effectively organises, implements and controls production so specified standards are achieved; and evaluates in an ongoing way and includes assessment of how results meet design requirements, including appropriate codes of conduct.

I 3 Considers the needs of the particular audience when selecting and using appropriate techniques, resources and equipment to create information products using sound, images and text.

I 4 Understands that the meaning audiences make of information is influenced by its form, structure, style and presentation; and applies this understanding to the creation of information products and processes, using recognised methods, rules and languages.

I 5 Understands that the form, transmission and controls applied affect the use of information and that accuracy, privacy, global access and distribution are issues to be considered; and applies this understanding to the use and creation of information to achieve particular effects.

S 3 Identifies simple cause and effect relationships in systems and explores how human and physical systems affect people and the environment; and uses this understanding to develop and test systems, selecting and using appropriate resources, equipment and techniques.

systems.

S 4 Understands that the elements in a system, including people and components, are related and can work in a variety of sequences; and relates this understanding to the construction, management and control of systems for specific purposes, measuring their performance using own methods.

S 5 Understands how particular systems work, are operated and controlled, the way people interact with them and their influence on communities and the environment; applies this understanding to the control of selected systems; and, when assembling systems that perform specific functions, devises fault-finding procedures to maintain them.

The student outcomes targeted in this unit are addressed through the use of various software and hardware tools including MSWLogo, interface units, LEGO Mindstorms and Robotic components.

This unit will be conducted so that students can work at their own pace using the various resources at any time. Due to the restrictions in some hardware components some activities will be conducted in small groups while other students are expected to continue with other work.

This unit is a practical based subject with students using computers for the majority of class time. The objectives for this course are achieved as students work through class "Tasks". Grading is therefore based on work completed in class.

It is essential that students complete all of the assessment tasks to avoid achieving a poor grade.

The assessment items for this unit are divided into 4 "tasks". As mentioned previously these Tasks all relate to a travel agency. An outline for the task are as follows:

Students will be expected to follow the design, market and appraise approach while working on tasks. This will help their abilities to manage time and create marketable products.