Computer Programming

Project Brief

This component is suitable for students studying Year 11 (Stage 1) Information Technology Systems and/or Year 12 Information Technology Studies - providing examples of tasks and the development required for study at either level.

In addition, links are provided to opportunities for further study at University involving either Information Systems, particularly from a business perspective, or Programming (Software Engineering).

Explanation for teachers

The sample files are provided to demonstrate the level or standard of task that is appropriate at senior school to which students can achieve in conjunction with the curriculum requirements of the subject and the nature of the subject area/industry.

The task(s) specifically involve students writing a computer program for a task that will involve a process where the user interacts with the computer /program a number of times. This is critical as it is the nature of the subject that a process happens many times over and that the user is then given appropriate output about the process that has occurred repeatedly.

So for example, the sample files include a task based around a user entering the names of several players for a basketball shoot around - and after entering the scores of the players, shot by shot (and hence the repetitive process) the output shows the total scores of each player. The programming involved with the task will involve the students using procedures and an array irrespective of whether the programming approach is a more traditional one button approach which will also involve using a loop, or whether the programming style is event driven.

This task could be used as a class exercise over a number of lessons, or used as a teacher resource in order to consider tasks that involve the same level of programming, such as selling tickets at a theatre, or selling different clothing items to athletes, or customers purchasing a number of pizzas at the pizza store, or a game like scenario based such as a number game or a mind master game. These tasks will in turn be appropriate for use either in class as activities or as the basis for assessments, whether they be a skills task completed on the computer in class or as a project (over a more extended time period).

Opportunities for Further study at the University

• Computer Science at the University of Adelaide