Week 1: Using and Understanding Data & Software Applications

Essential Questions

• How does a computer system understand the information we input into it? How do I know I'm using the right data?
• How does data drive business and industry decisions?
• How do I know which software I can use? In which setting? For which purpose?
• What's the best way to purchase and license software?

Big Ideas

Computer systems rely on data to function. We provide data to computer systems through a variety of means and formats and they use software applications to interpret those data and take action. Computers use different ways to understand and represent data than we do in our daily lives. While you don't have to become an expert at manipulating data in different representations (notational systems), you should know the basics of these systems and how they both limit and enhance the ability of computing systems to use and manipulate data.

While computer systems contain a central processing unit that is often referred to as "the brain" of the computer, software is necessary for the computer system to do something usable with that data. Software allows us to enter information of a variety of types and that software helps the computer system's "brain" manipulate that information and output it back to us in a way that is, hopefully, useful.

You are probably familiar with many of the different software applications presented in this unit. You just need to be able to determine which applications are best for the people you are working with (the user) and their needs.

Connection to Student Lives

You probably use a variety of different software applications, or apps, without thinking about how they are transmitting data to and from your computing device, whether it's a laptop, tablet, phone, or other device. In most cases, you don't really need to worry about how the software works, but at some point you want to be sure to choose the right software for the job. Right now, you might ask friends for the best apps to use on your phone, but as a Help Desk representative, you have to be able to recommend the best software for different uses for the people you will support, whether they are other students or teachers, administrators, or others in your school or district.

Framing Problem

How do I determine the best software for different users and uses?

Cornerstone Assessment

Given scenarios, students will investigate and determine software recommendations for different users and uses typical to the school or district. They should be able to justify their choices with evidence or examples from their investigation.

DPI Standards

• 1.07 Understand the value of data and information.
• 2.01 Understand types of software and their uses

CompTIA Standards

• 1.1 Compare and contrast notational systems
• 1.2 Compare and contrast fundamental data types and their characteristics.
• 1.4 Explain the value of data and information.
• 1.5 Compare and contrast common units of measure
• 3.1 Manage applications and software
• 3.3 Compare and contrast general application concepts and uses

Vocabulary

• Analytics -
• Application management -
• Binary (base 2) -
• Boolean -
• Characters (char) -
• Data -
• Data and information as assets -
• Data-driven business decisions (Data capture and collection, Data correlation, Meaningful reporting) -
• Decimal (base 10) -
• Digital RIghts Management (DRM) -
• Digital products -
• Hexadecimal -
• Importance of investing in security -
• Information -
• Insights -
• Intellectual property (Trademarks, Copyright, Patents) -
• Licensing (Single use, Group use/site license, Concurrent license, Open source vs. proprietary, subscription vs. one-time purchase, Product keys and serial numbers) -
• Numbers (Integers, Floats or Floating-point numbers) -
• Place value -
• Processing speed (MHz, GHz) -
• Relationship of data to creating information -
• Return on Security Investment (ROSI) -
• Risk assessments -
• Security control -
• Software installation best practices (Reading instructions, Reading agreements, Advanced options) -
• Storage units (Bit, Byte, Double Byte, KB, MB, GB, TB, PB) -
• Strings -
• Throughput unit and Throughput rate (bps, Kbps, Mbps, Gbps, Tbps) -

Supporting Vocabulary

• Client Access Licenses (CAL)
• End User License Agreement (EULA)
• Freeware
• Open source
• Pirated software
• Shareware

Lesson Ideas

Note: Topics in the first two weeks of Unit 2 may overlap as students must learn a good deal of academic vocabulary and foundational concepts related to data, notational systems, types of software, licensing, and programming concepts. Instructors may want to consider a station-based or competency-based approach to these first two weeks, possibly all three so students can work on building foundational knowledge, as necessary, as some may have background knowledge on types of applications or programming. The sequence in which students study the topics are not dependent upon each other.

Students work independently or in pairs or teams to complete stations based on academic vocabulary and key concepts as presented in Units 2.1 and 2.2 in their textbook. The students may continue to collaborate on a Frayer-type digital presentation that records and illustrates key vocabulary and concepts in the Units. As an alternative, students may generate different digital products based on the requirements of each station.

Lab 7 in Unit 2.2 provides guidance for installing and uninstalling software and examining Windows Update settings.

Technicians present or review software installation and configuration using relevant user account profiles from the school or district. Students practice installing and configuring software based on guidelines from the technicians, generating documentation that is used to support the Help Desk throughout the semester.

Potential Resources

The Official CompTIA ITF+ Instructor's Manual and Student Guide: Units 2.1 and 2.2

Frayer Diagram Template (slide deck, document, or other)

School/district software installation and configuration guidelines by user access level

ITProTV

• Software Usage Requirements | CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ (FC0-U61) (37:31)

Khan Academy

• How do computers represent data? (binary, bits, and bytes) (5:58)
• Introduction to Number Systems and Binary (includes converting decimal, binary, and hexadecimal) (9:59)

Technology Gee

• Notational Systems | CompTIA IT Fundamentals FC0-U61 | 1.1 (30:53)
• Data Types | CompTIA IT Fundamentals FC0-U61 | 1.2 (17:00)
• Value of Data & Information | CompTIA IT Fundamentals FC0-U61 | 1.4 (25:53)
• Units of Measure | CompTIA IT Fundamentals FC0-U61 | 1.5 (15:05)
• Purpose of Operating Systems | CompTIA IT Fundamentals FC0-U61 | 3.1 (32:05)
• Purpose & Proper Use of Software | CompTIA IT Fundamentals FC0-U61 | 3.3 (19:13)