CS Discoveries 2020-2021

Unit 5 Overview

Unit 5 covers the importance of data in solving problems and highlights how computers can help in this process. By the end of the unit, students should have a broad understanding of the role of data and data representation in solving information problems. They should be able to explain the necessary components of any data representation scheme, as well as the particulars of binary and common ways that various types of simple and complex data are represented in binary code. Students should also be able to design and implement a data-based solution to a given problem and determine how the different aspects of this problem solving process could be automated.

Learning Framework

Data Encoding Systems

Student should be able to use a variety of encoding systems, as well as develop their own systems for encoding particular types of data. They should recognize the importance of encoding at various levels of abstraction.

Develop an encoding system for a particular type of data

Recognize the necessary features of a system for encoding information, such as general agreement among users and a lack of ambiguity. Create, test, and use a system for encoding a particular type of data.

Use existing encoding systems

Choose and justify an appropriate encoding system for a given piece of information. Recognize and extend patterns in existing encoding systems.

Modeling and Problem Solving with Data

Students should be able to use data as a central tool in a structured problem solving process. This process should incorporate data-based models that students test and refine. Students should be able to explain how different aspects of this process can be automated, and how data allows them to identify patterns and support conclusions about the phenomena that they are observing.

Data-based problem solving

Use data in conjunction with the problem solving process to find a data-based solution to a problem. Identify, collect, and clean relevant data, and use it to identify relationships that will help better understand and solve a problem.

Draw conclusions from data

Identify patterns and draw conclusions from data sets, and use them to support a claim or decision. Identify additional data that could improve the decision.

Develop a data-based model

Choose the best way to model complex information or real world phenomena based on how it will be used, and provide examples of how different forms of modeling can facilitate solving different types of problems. Refine the model based on new data.

Automated decision making

Design an algorithm for making decisions using data as inputs, and explain the benefits and drawbacks of using computers for automated decision making

Binary Systems

Students should identify binary representation as a fundamental representation system in computing. They should be able to use binary systems to represent different types of data, and identify some key common representation systems.

Defining binary systems

Define a binary system as one that uses just two possible states to represent information. Describe common features of systems used to encode information in binary.

Using binary systems

Use multiple binary systems to encode, decode, and manipulate information, including characters, numbers, and images. Choose and justify the use of different binary representation depending on the information being represented.

Data and Security

Students should be able to explain how their data may be used with or without their knowledge. They should be able to identify different ways to secure data, both physical and digital, and implement an encryption scheme, differentiating between encryption and encoding.

Distinguish between data that users intentionally and unintentionally produce.

Explain how users produce data both intentionally and unintentionally when interacting with computing systems. Give examples of each type of data and how they are collected.

Apply a method of encryption to ensure the secure transmission of data.

Encrypt and decrypt data using a set cryptographic scheme.

Use both physical and digital security measures to secure data.

Differentiate between physical and digital security measures, and give examples of each. Choose multiple security measures what will best secure data in a given scenario.

Collecting and Transforming Data

Identify and collect relevant data

Identify data that could be collected to develop a model or solve a problem, determine the appropriate sources of that data. Give examples of how data can be collected from sensors, tracking user behavior, as well as surveys and direct responses.

Clean a data set

Explain why a data set must be cleaned to make it more useful, and identify and remove irrelevant data from a data set.

Use data to highlight relationships

Use various data visualizations to highlight relationships in data, including cross-tabulation. Transform data from one visualization to another, and choose and justify the most appropriate visualization for a given task.