INFORMATION AND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY 7 - 10
SAMPLE OPTION TOPIC PROGRAMS BASED ON
IST: WARE ET AL
OPTION 8: SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAMMING
TEXT: Chapter 8
Suggested time: 80 periods
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:
Programming language

function of

define and
programming
describe the
language
function of a
programming
language
Basic programming concepts

input, process,

examine the code
output
of an existing
software program
to describe the
input, processes
and output

functions

examine an
existing program

assignment
and identify
statements
functions,
assignment
statements,
variables and
constants

variables

modify an existing
Page 1 of 8
Core content
Option content
Option activities
Syllabus Outcomes
8.1 Introduction to programming
Compare and contrast sample code for a range of
programming languages
8.2 Basic programming concepts
For a range of simple programs in the languages
students:
1. describe the purpose of the program
2. identify the inputs, processes and outputs of
the program
3. identify in the code the
 functions
 assignment statements
 variables
 constants
4. run the programs, entering in sample data.
Outline the effect to the output for different
inputs.

constants
Page 2 of 8
program to assess
the effects of
changing variables
on the output of
the program
Students learn about:
Data types such as

character,
integer, string,
real, Boolean
Students learn to:


Data operators

relational

logical

arithmetic
operators
GUI layout including

graphics tools

objects such as
textboxes, list
boxes and
command
buttons
identify data types
in existing code
and explain their
purpose
compare the use of
data types

distinguish
between various
operators within
existing code

experiment with
an existing GUI
layout in a
selected software
program
design a simple
GUI layout for a
specific problem
and apply simple
programming code
conduct a peer
evaluation on the
designed GUI


Core content
13.4 Interface design
13.5 Graphical user interface
Option content
Option activities
8.3 Data types and data operators
For a range of simple programs in the languages
students:
1. produce a data dictionary of the variables
used in the code
2. identify the data operators used
 relational
 logical
 arithmetic operators
8.4 Graphical user interface
layout




Page 3 of 8
Syllabus Outcomes
Evaluate the GUI of commercial software
using the checklist on the CD-ROM
On paper design an interface for a given
scenario
For a range of simple programs with GUI
interfaces:
 Use the interface
 Evaluate the interface and suggest
changes
 Have activities where students:
 modify the objects, such as move
objects, rename buttons etc
 add objects to the interface
Build an interface (don’t need to do coding)
Students learn about:
Algorithms

definitions and
descriptions

representing
algorithms

examples such
as recipes,
directions,
appliance
instructions
Algorithms
Students learn to:



repetition and/or
iteration such as
pre and post test



Programming language
Page 4 of 8
Option content
8.5 Algorithms
represent
algorithms by
using either
flowchart or
pseudocode
devise algorithms
to solve everyday
problems
incorporating the
use of control
structures
examine and
analyse the
existing code of a
selected example
and identify
control structures
develop prototypes
using basic control
structures
Option activities


8.6 Control Structures

Control structures

sequencing

selection such as
binary and case
define algorithms
and describe
examples in daily
life
explain the
purpose of an
algorithm when
solving problems
Core content


Syllabus Outcomes
Write instructions to go to another location
in the school
Swap with another student and follow the
instructions. Do they end up where
intended? Why? Why not?
Convert the examples 8.6.1 to 8.6.7 in the
language code they are using in class
Rock paper scissors revision sheet on CDROM

examples of a
programming
language

Students learn about:
Sub-programs
 purpose

Students learn to:

examples

Data structures

record


file


array

Page 5 of 8
convert algorithms
into basic code
using a given
language syntax
examine existing
code and
algorithms to
identify the
purpose of subprograms for a
range of examples
incorporate subprograms into
algorithms and
working code
examine data
structures in
existing code
demonstrate the
use of an array
modify existing
code to allow for
changes to the
array
Core content
Option content
8.7 Sub-programs and data
structures
Option activities


Syllabus Outcomes
Convert the examples 8.7.1 to 8.7.5 in the
language code they are using in class
Modify existing programs/algorithms to
contain sub-programs
Students learn about:
Testing

test data
Students learn to:

test programming
code using test
data to check for
the desired
outcome

conduct a desk
check on a
selected algorithm
modify an
algorithm to
produce the
required output

boundaries
Desk checking

Error detection including

syntax

identify and
describe errors in

logical
a sample of given
code

run-time

eliminate sources
of error to create
working code
Error correction

software tools

debug all errors in
code using peer
checking, desk
checking or
software
debugging tools
Page 6 of 8
Core content
Option content
8.8 Testing, error detection and
correction
Option activities
Syllabus Outcomes
Provide students with a range of algorithms,
programs, get students to:
 Generate test data
 Desk check the algorithms
 Test the code/programs to
 Identify errors
 Fix/debug errors
Students learn about:
Documentation of
programming code
Students learn about:





`

Students learn to:
create appropriate
user support
documentation for
code
apply meaningful
variable names
and comments to
code
Students learn to:
Project development
processes and

design, produce
techniques
and evaluate a
simple project for
a real-world
application either
separately for this
option, or
integrated with
other options
modifying an

write code to solve
existing program
a real-world
problem
creating a new
software
solution
Page 7 of 8
Core content
12.6 Social issues – equity, access
and control
Option content
8.9 Documentation of
programming code
Option activities



Core content
Chapter 9: Design, produce,
evaluate
Option content
8.10 Project – Developing a
software solution
Review and evaluate samples of user
documentation for commercial software
Create a user document for a commercial
software package
Add appropriate internal documentation to
sample code programs
Option activities


Syllabus Outcomes
Syllabus Outcomes
Give students a working program with
outline of changes to the original program
problem. Get students to modify the
existing program to meet the new needs.
Design, produce and evaluate software
solutions for:
 A range of simple tasks
 Real life problems
Additional content
Random and
sequential files
Object-oriented
software
development
Page 8 of 8


compare and
contrast existing
code for
processing random
access and
sequential files
investigate
developments of
object-oriented
software
development
8.11 Random and sequential files
[CD ROM]
8.12 Object-orientated software
development [CD ROM]