INFORMATION AND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY 7 - 10
SAMPLE OPTION TOPIC PROGRAMS BASED ON
IST: WARE ET AL
OPTION 1: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, SIMULATION AND MODELLING
TEXT: Chapter 1
Suggested time: 6-10 weeks
Syllabus outcomes:
5.2.1 describes and applies problem-solving processes when creating solutions
5.2.2 designs, produces and evaluates appropriate solutions to a range of challenging problems
5.2.3 critically analyses decision-making processes in a range of information and software solutions.
Students learn about:
Students learn to:
Core content
Option content
Option activities
Syllabus Outcomes
Artificial intelligence


definition of
intelligence and
artificial
intelligence
historical
perspective of
artificial
intelligence
Page 1 of 6

define and
describe artificial
intelligence

investigate the
work of pioneers
of artificial
intelligence, for
example Alan
Turing
1.1 Artificial Intelligence

Research a recent AI development

Select and investigate one of the AI
developments on the timeline on page 5.
Write a short summary of the development
outlining the importance to the field of AI.
Identify and describe the bronze medal
winner of the Loebner Prize last year.

Students learn about:
Students learn to:
Core content
Option content
Option activities
Syllabus Outcomes
Areas of artificial intelligence such as:

intelligent
systems

knowledge bases

demons

agents

expert systems



explore and
contrast the uses
for demons,
agents, expert
systems, neural
networks and
knowledge bases
identify a range of
intelligent systems
including games
1.2 Areas of artificial
intelligence
define and
describe models
and simulations
1.3 Modelling and simulation




Research and identify some recent
developments of AI
Identify examples of AI systems using in the
Internet
Identify how AI is used in gaming
Brainstorm/research examples of demons,
agents, expert systems, neural networks and
knowledge bases
neural networks
Modelling and simulations


definition of a
model and a
simulation

purposes of
models and
simulations

Page 2 of 6
investigate the
purposes for
models and
simulations in a
range of situations


Discuss why simulators are so important in
today’s society
Use a range of simulation games eg SimCity,
flight simulators
Students learn about:
Students learn to:
Core content
Option content
Option activities
Syllabus Outcomes
Areas of artificial intelligence such as:

intelligent
systems

knowledge bases

demons

agents

expert systems


examine a range of
expert systems
1.4 Using AI systems


investigate the
creation of an
expert system shell
for a particular
purpose
Use the loan repayment calculator on the
CD, do the practical activities
Select and use some of the AI systems
online eg soda constructor. (see links at
http://www.jaconline.com.au/ist/)

neural networks
Advantages and limitations of models and
simulation programs for:

predictions such  investigate the use
as global
of educational
warming, ozone
simulations and
layer changes
games

trial situations

propose
such as weather
advantages and
forecasting
limitations of
simulation and
modelling
programs

investigate and
evaluate
predictions and
trial situations that
used model and
simulation
programs
Page 3 of 6
1.4 Using AI systems




Excursion: visit and use a simulator
Undertake a case study of a
model/simulation eg Weather prediction,
flight simulator, video games
Outline the advantages and disadvantages of
the model/simulation
Study weather forecasting models and
simulations used in Australia
 Evaluate the model/simulation
 How accurate are these models
 Could they ever be 100% accurate
Students learn about:
Students learn to:
Requirements of models and simulations
such as

hardware needs

examine the
such as speed,
hardware needs
storage
for operating
simulation
programs

simulators such

explore a range of
as flight, driving
simulations

software

identify software
requirements
requirements for
including
models and
languages
simulations
Core content
Option content
Option activities
Syllabus Outcomes
10.6 Data storage and function
1.5 Requirements of AI, models
and simulations

Examine the hardware and software
requirements of models and simulations, for
a range of purposes such as:
 Industry uses, such as flight simulators
and weather predictions
 Games, such as flight simulators and
SimCity
 Toys, such as Aibo
(see links at
http://www.jaconline.com.au/ist/)
10.6 Data storage and function
1.5 Requirements of AI, models
and simulations

Examine the hardware and software
requirements of a range of AI systems
including demons, agents, expert systems,
neural networks and knowledge bases
Requirements of artificial intelligence

software

hardware
Page 4 of 6

research the
requirements of
artificial
intelligence for a
range of situations
Students learn about:
Students learn to:
Core content
Option content
Option activities
Syllabus Outcomes
Using model and simulation programs



variables to
ensure accuracy
spreadsheets

what-if
predictions for
spreadsheets
such as goal
seek and look
ups


examine a range of
simulation
programs and
describe how
variables are
adjusted to ensure
accuracy
use spreadsheets
to make
predictions
critically analyse
the effectiveness
of spreadsheets
when solving a
problem for a
particular situation
9.2 Defining the problem
9.3 Analysing the problem
9.4 Designing a solution
1.6 Project – Using a spreadsheet
to model costings





Use the spreadsheet model on the CD
 List all the variables in the spreadsheet,
e.g. venue hire, number of people
 Identify which variables will most likely
change.
 How are these variable values updated in
the spreadsheet
Do the Practical activity on page 15
Critically analyse the formal model.
 Evaluate the spreadsheet model
 Is there other data and costs that should
included on the spreadsheet?
 How else could the spreadsheet be
improved?
Modify the spreadsheet model to include
details about.
Use the spreadsheet model for your own
formal
Project Development

processes and
techniques
Page 5 of 6

design, produce
and evaluate a
simple project for
a real-world
application either
separately for this
option, or
integrated with
other option/s
9.2 Defining the problem
9.3 Analysing the problem
9.4 Designing a solution
1.6 Project – Using a spreadsheet
to model costings


Students undertake spreadsheet activities to
understand how to use and create a
spreadsheet
Students develop their own spreadsheet
expert system
Additional content


spreadsheet
design
simulation
software
Page 6 of 6


design, produce
and evaluate a
predictive
spreadsheet
including macros
for a specified
situation
examine and
explain the
operation of
selected
simulation
software
1.7 Spreadsheet macros
[CD ROM]



1.8 Simulation software
[CD ROM]



Use and understand the spreadsheet macros
in example on the CD Rom
Undertake simple macro activities
Add macros to students own spreadsheet
expert system
Identify a range of simulation software
Use the software
Evaluate the software using the evaluation
sheet on the CD