Lesson 14: Transformation in Systems - Authentic Creating, Learning, and Sharing With Digital Technologies

Process - tukanga

Kōrero Mai: Think back to the beginning of the course.

Can you remember what inputs and outputs are in a technological system?

What is this white box? It is known as the process and it is the part of the technological system that transforms the input(s) into output(s). It can be known as a transformation.

How does a computer transform inputs into outputs

Watch this video and think about…

-what are the inputs of a computer system?
-what are the outputs of a computer system?
-how does the computer transform inputs to outputs?

Kua reri? - Ready? Digital devices as a technological system

Choose a simple digital device to explore, for example a fitbit, an alarm clock, a calculator... Use the handouts provided or use a pen and some scrap paper. Then:

Identify the inputs of the system.

Identify the outputs of the system.

Identify any key features or components of the system.

Explain how you think the system transforms the input to an output.

Extension: Are there any added outputs that may occur but wasn't intended by the designer? for example, a light bulb gives out light but it also can give out heat.

Kōrero Mai: How is a computer a technological system?

Kōrero Mai: Discuss and explain the VR system...

Applying your Digital Tech knowledge on an authentic project

Kua reri? - Ready? It's your turn... New project outline
Again, we will be starting this project off completely from scratch so you have full control over the design process. You have multiple lessons to complete this project. Let's start with the design brief below:

Given Brief: The current till system is broken at a retail store you work at. The customers are complaining that it's taking too long for the cashiers to calculate the needed change per transaction. Create a temporary digital change calculator that also shows the users the amount of each note/coin that is required for the change.

Designing an algorithm
Before you jump into starting a new project, it's always a good idea to outline and design the approach that you will take. Grab a pen and paper and design a flowchart / algorithm in pseudo code. You can do this online too.

Images of different design processes. Like pseudo and flowcharts

You will have a dedicated page and place for this project. This project is accessible from the Projects tab at the top of the website. Alternatively, Click Here to access the page now.