Component 3 Programmed Solution to a problem
What do I have to do? You will be expected to investigate, design, prototype, refine the design , implement, test and evaluate a computer solution to a substantial problem that you choose. You will have to produce a computer program that solves a specific problem. You will have to produce a report that demonstrates your skills. You will need to identify a real world problem to solve. It must have a clear purpose and aims. A substantial amount of marks come from investigating the current system.
How much is it worth? This is worth 20% of your overall mark and is graded out of 100 marks (0.2% overall per mark) 1. Discussion (5 Marks) 2. Investigation (10 Marks) 3. Design (15 Marks) 4. Prototype (10 Marks) 5. Post-prototype refinement of design (5 Marks) 6. Software development (25 Marks) 6a - Developmental Testing (5 marks) 7. Testing (10 Marks) 8. Evaluation (15 Marks) Total 100 marks
How much time will I have? Deadlines The deadline for this coursework will be 7th April 2017 Friday before Easter There will be intermediate deadlines set but these will be issued in September
Classroom routines This project will be split across both of your classroom teachers. You will have two single lessons each week to work through your coursework. Double lessons will be spent working through component 1 and 2. You will be provided with a folder to store all of your coursework. This folder is for your most up to date coursework only. If you wish to keep draft work you must store this somewhere else. Each teacher is responsible for specific parts of your project… 1. Discussion – APE 2. Investigation – APE 3 – Design – CGI 4 – Prototype – CGI 5 – Post-Prototype refinement of design – CGI 6 – Software development – CGI 7 – Testing – APE 8 – Evaluation - APE
How is my report to be structured? You will be provided with a check list that details all of the items that you should include. This report should be structured so that it is easy to navigate… + Clear use of sub headings which link to the mark scheme + Contents page used to make it easier to find your work + Page numbers on all of your work In addition to your report you must also hand in all source code (printed) as well as source code (electronic) and a working executable of your file
What languages can I use? You will b e encouraged to use the programming language VB.Net (Visual Basic). However you may choose any high level, text based, programming language including… + Python + C# + C++ + C + Java + Delphi + PHP/ASP (Seek guidance before choosing to build a dynamic webpage) This list is not exhaustive. You will not be awarded additional marks for programming in a more complex programming language
How complex does it need to be? Your project need to be complex enough to qualify as an A-Level project. To be judged “complex” your project must cover the majority of skills from the C1 – Checklist. So as an example your project should have examples of Sequence, selection and iteration. It should also involve some searching or sorting of data in an array. It is important to note that you do not have to include all items from this list nor will you gain extra credit for doing so
What problems can I choose from? Firstly your problem should be complex enough. Secondly it should identify a clear current system which can be improved. The current system can be paper based or electronic (it may be neither and therefore a computer program to solve it may be ideal). You are allowed to produce computer games but the game must have a clear aim and purpose. Examples of projects from the past include… + Football Team statistics Squads into formation and update of player statistics + Baker Oven management Arranges a schedule for industrial ovens so that all products are baked on time and in the most efficient way + Warehouse staff allocation Software which details a breakdown of what products to pick in which order each day + Mobile application to manage medication + Double glazing quote softwarae + Tax calculator + Table management for a restaraunt
(1)The Discussion You must spend time thinking about what you could use as your project. You will need to produce a proposal. You must produce a document or presentation which you will present to the rest of the class in the last week of the school term. In this document or presentation you must… (A)Describe, to others, the broad aims and limitations of the project. (B)Identify and describe, to others, the possible limitations of a solution to the problem. This work will be graded using the following criteria…
Feedback from the discussion You must gain feedback based on your proposal. It is up to you to decide how to collect, record and analyse this feedback. Possible options include (not inclusive) + Q & A + Questionnaire + Interviews + Online survey (such as survey monkey)