information technology

• Flow Chart


  A diagram that shows steps, decisions and outputs in a process. For example, making a cup of tea. Each step is set out in the proposed sequence – the order in which the steps and decisions have to be completed. Each step will lead to the next and any decisions made can lead you down certain routes.
• Components of a flow chart

  • Start point
  • End point
  • Decisions
  • Processes
  • Input/output
  • Connecting lines with directional arrows
• Mind Map


  A mind map is based around a central theme (the central node) and has branches to nodes and sub nodes. Mind maps are also known as spider diagrams. The purpose of a mind map is to generate ideas and give a visual plan to an audience to show your ideas.
• Types of mind maps

  • Library
  • Presentation
  • Tunnel
• Library mind map


  Used to sort and organise information to provide a clear understanding of a topic.
• Tunnel mind map


  Mainly used for problem solving. The central node is the outcome and the sub nodes are paths to solve the problem
• Presentation mind map


  To present ideas to an audience in a way they can understand.
• Visualisation Diagram


  These diagrams are rough drawings or sketches of what a final solution will look like. They can be used to check whether what is being produced is going to meet the objectives and requirements of the client. Visualisation diagrams are used for static products (a product that doesn't move). This could be an HCI for an AR resource or for a spreadsheet solution.
• Components of a visualisation diagram

  • Multiple images/graphics
  • Size and position of images/graphics
  • Position and style of text
  • Fonts
  • Labels/annotations
  • Size/style
  • Font
  • Size/style of text images/graphics
  • Size of other elements
  • Colours
  • Themes
• Wireframe


  A wireframe focuses more on what the product will do rather than what it will look like. They help people understand the outline or the frame of the design before any detailed designing takes place. Details for each element is not needed as it is just a layout design tool, meaning that changes can be made quickly before creation. Wireframes can be used for website pages to show the layout of the position of the buttons and etc…
• Types of wireframes


  • Low-fidelity - A low-fidelity wireframe includes boxes showing the position of basic content and images with no specific details. They use basic shapes, images placeholders and generic text. In conclusion, these wireframes are as basic as possible.
  • High-fidelity - A high-fidelity wireframe shows the product and design in more detail. This means that it shows fonts, colours, images, text and branding such as logos. If it has been created with a piece of software then it is possible for the wireframes to show functionality, e.g. buttons been pressed.
• Components of a low-fidelity wireframe

  • Boxes
  • Box labels
  • Image placeholders
  • Layout grids
• Components of a high-fidelity wireframe

  • Branding
  • Colours
  • Fonts
  • Text
  • User interaction functionality
• HCI


  A Human Computer Interface (HCI) will enable people to communicate and interact with digital devices.
• Purpose of an HCI


  People need to be able to interact with digital devices. This will allow tasks to be completed.
• An HCI enables communication between a user and a digital device. An HCI can also be known as a user interface.
• Interaction methods in an HCI

  • Keyboard
  • Sensor
  • Camera
  • Microphone
• Design considerations for a well-designed HCI

  • Be clear in its layout
  • Be consistent in its layout
  • Be simple
  • Be user-controlled
  • Provide feedback to the user
• Application areas for HCIs

  • Embedded systems
  • Banking
  • Entertainment
  • Fitness
  • Home appliances
  • Retail
• Hardware considerations for an HCI

  • Display type
  • Display size
  • Memory
  • Processing power
• Display types


  • LCD - Uses a separate backlight to illuminate the display from behind, meaning sunlight does not affect the view seen. The colour representation and contrast is not as good as other display types.
  • LED - LEDs generate their own backlight which means that a backlight does not have to be built into the device. LEDs illuminate the display from behind but use their own light to do this. This means that, like LCDs, sunlight does not affect the view seen. The colour representation and contrast is not as good as other display types but it is better than LCD. An LED display uses very little power.
  • OLED - An OLED display produces its own light. They use less power and are thinner than LED/LCD. They are more flexible and can contain the touch response layer in the display itself. Using an OLED means that screens can be folded or rolled.
• Touch screen


  A touch screen is also known as touch enabled. This type of display allows the user to physically touch the screen as part of the interaction. The user selects the options on the HCI using touch. The size of a touch screen can vary.
• Operating systems


  • Windows
  • Mac OS/IOS
  • Chrome
  • Ubuntu
  • Linux
  • Fire OS
• Data is raw facts and figures before they have been processed. Anything spoken or written down can be classed as data.
• Information


  Information is data with context and meaning. The formula for converting data to information is: Information = data + [structure] + [context] + meaning
• Data types


  • Alphanumeric
  • Boolean
  • Date
  • Numeric (currency, decimal, integer, percentages, real)
  • Text
• Validation


  Validation is one way of reducing the number of errors in the data that users enter into a spreadsheet. Validation is done by the program as users type in the data. If they make a mistake an error message should pop up and tell them why the data is wrong. The rule created by the spreadsheet designers (you!) is called the validation rule. The error message users get is called the validation text.
• Validation tools


  • Data type check
  • Input mask
  • Length check
  • Limited choice
  • Lookup
  • Presence check
  • Range check
• Verification


  Verification is performed to make sure that the data entered exactly matches the original source. We use verification to make sure that the data entered is correct and we have not made any mistakes. There are two different verification methods: Double entry and Manual Checking.
• Primary data collection methods

  • Email
  • Interview
  • Questionnaire
  • Survey
• Secondary data collection methods

  • Books
  • Magazines
  • Government websites
• Reliability


  Data and information from a reliable source can be trusted to be correct or true.
• Validity


  The quality of being correct or true. Valid data and information is generally reliable.
• Internal storage devices


  • Primary hard drive
  • Network drive
• External storage devices


  • Portable solid-state drive (SSD)
  • Portable USB flash drive
  • Network-attached storage (NAS) device
  • Portable wireless device
• Advantages of testing


  • The final solution will be fit for purpose and be of high quality
  • Testing will have covered all functions and features so all errors should have been identified and rectified
  • Technical testing means that the solution will have been tested on a range of digital devices and operating systems
  • User testing will ensure the user journey is error free and intuitive to use
  • Carrying out testing can ensure the reliability and robustness of the solution
• Disadvantages of testing


  • Creating a full and complete test plan can be time consuming
  • The planned tests must cover all functions and features of the solution
  • If the test plan is not full and complete, then errors may not be identified if the tests are not specifically detailed
  • Full and complete testing can take a long time
  • If testing does not identify errors at the testing stage, then the completion of the solution may be delayed as errors may be identified later in the creation process
  • If the solution is complex then many people may need to test it, meaning many resources in terms of time, people and money be needed
• Types of test data

  • Extreme - A data value that is on the boundary between valid and invalid data. This type of data will not cause an error.
  • Invalid (erroneous) - A data value that will cause an error. This will be inacceptable but could also be incomplete or not meet the validation.
  • Valid - A data value that is acceptable, sensible and reasonable. This type of data will not cause an error.
• Carrying out testing can ensure the reliability and robustness of the solution
• Disadvantages of creating a full and complete test plan

  • It can be time consuming
  • The planned tests must cover all functions and features of the solution
  • If the test plan is not full and complete, then errors may not be identified if the tests are not specifically detailed
  • Full and complete testing can take a long time
  • If testing does not identify errors at the testing stage, then the completion of the solution may be delayed as errors may be identified later in the creation process
  • If the solution is complex then many people may need to test it, meaning many resources in terms of time, people and money be needed