Section 1: Breaking it Down
Section Objectives |
Terminology |
In this project you are going to learn about how computers make decisions based on a Boolean process, how flowcharts can be used to plan tasks. Your end task will be to produce a quiz on scratch.
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Abstraction
Decomposition Boolean |
Activity 1 : Glass half full
Section 1: Breaking it Down ?
In simple terms computers can only make decisions with one of a possible two outcomes, for example Yes or No, On or Off, 1 or 0, M or F. This allowance of two possible outcomes is know Boolean.
So what does this have to do with our task of making a quiz?
When we are programming the quiz we need to remember that the computer can only decide between two options, therefore we need to break our task down in the planning stage to ensure each process can be followed with Boolean operation.
Below is a thought process of a student being ask to fill a glass of water:
In simple terms computers can only make decisions with one of a possible two outcomes, for example Yes or No, On or Off, 1 or 0, M or F. This allowance of two possible outcomes is know Boolean.
So what does this have to do with our task of making a quiz?
When we are programming the quiz we need to remember that the computer can only decide between two options, therefore we need to break our task down in the planning stage to ensure each process can be followed with Boolean operation.
Below is a thought process of a student being ask to fill a glass of water:
If we think more deeply about what is going through our minds when doing such a simple task then it becomes apparent that we actually naturally think like a computer.
Breaking the same task down to more depth of what we are thinking can be seen below:
Breaking the same task down to more depth of what we are thinking can be seen below:
Step 1: Pick up cup
Step 2: Place cup on table Step 3: Is the cup face up? Yes or No (Boolean) If: Yes - the cup is face up Then move to step 4 Else: turn the cup to face up (Step 3 will then repeat) Step 4: Pick up water jug Step 5: Does the water jug have water in? Yes or No If: Yes - the jug has water in Then move to step 6 Else: Fill the jug with water (Jug filling instructions needed) Step 6: Start to pour water in to cup. Step 7: Is the cup full? Yes or No If: No Then continue to pour water Else: stop pouring water and go to step 8 Step 8: Put the jug back away |
Breaking a task down in to smaller parts is known as Decomposition. Now the task of pouring a glass of water is broken down in to smaller pieces we can also see how we can apply Boolean to the task, each process can be checked with a Yes or No answer and the result of the answer can be broken down to a IF Yes Then do one action Else(otherwise) do a different action.
We can also see that the process of IF, THE, ELSE will Loop until the desired outcome is met. For example in step 7 will repeat until the answer to the question is Yes. Just like our brains think - is the cup full yet, is the cup full yet, is the cup full yet, ok full now so stop pouring.
We can also see that the process of IF, THE, ELSE will Loop until the desired outcome is met. For example in step 7 will repeat until the answer to the question is Yes. Just like our brains think - is the cup full yet, is the cup full yet, is the cup full yet, ok full now so stop pouring.
Task 1 : Daily task breakdown
Note: This task should take approximately 10 minutes.
From a task that you may do on a daily basis and decompose the task into steps.
Some good examples of tasks that you may do are.
From a task that you may do on a daily basis and decompose the task into steps.
- Ensure the steps are one process at a time
- Ensure you have Boolean decisions
- Include an IF, THEN, ELSE Loop.
Some good examples of tasks that you may do are.
- Brush your teeth
- Make your breakfast
- Pack your bag
Task 2: Quiz Decomposion
Note: This task should take approximately 10 minutes.
Watch the below clip of a TV Quiz (Just this first 5 minutes), break the quiz down into small sections and note down each step, aim to break it down into about 10 key moments. For example;
Watch the below clip of a TV Quiz (Just this first 5 minutes), break the quiz down into small sections and note down each step, aim to break it down into about 10 key moments. For example;
- Step 1 - Introduction Music is played
- Step 2 - Host welcomes viewers
Remember you only need to watch the first 5 minutes of the video.
If the video does not show Click Here
Give your work an appropriate file name and save your work.
If the video does not show Click Here
Give your work an appropriate file name and save your work.
Task 3: Thinking about your own Quiz
Before you start to plan you own quiz, the questions, the music and the style take a quick look at the below video of a sample clip. This coding skills used to produce this clip are at about the expected level for this module.
Firstly:
Think about your quiz and break down in to small sections and note each key moment and the content of that moment, for example what does the title show and what does it say. Use the ten steps you noted from Task 2 to guide you and think about some of the following things.
Remember, keep it simple: Small Basic is a text based coding and with limited time on this project try to be realistic in your planning.
- Note down the title of your quiz
- Note down three questions and four multiple choice answer for each question.
Think about your quiz and break down in to small sections and note each key moment and the content of that moment, for example what does the title show and what does it say. Use the ten steps you noted from Task 2 to guide you and think about some of the following things.
- Will your quiz have music? if so when will it play, what is the music?
- What happens when a question is answered incorrect
- What happens when a question is answered correct
- Will you require text input
- Will you keep a score
- What will be on your quiz completion screen.
Remember, keep it simple: Small Basic is a text based coding and with limited time on this project try to be realistic in your planning.