Questions to consider
When you are planning to build some software - apart from the functionality - what are the questions you need to ask yourself? - What type of User Interface is it going to have?
- Where is it going to be accessed?
- Who is going to use it?
- What is the impact of using it?
- What concerns and issues do you need to care about?
Students are introduced to the widespread use of software in society and are asked to consider how the software originated and what issues needed to be considered during its development. One way in which students can achieve this is to reflect on a range of existing software applications. This topic identifies social and ethical issues that arise in the development and use of software. Students should be made aware of these issues early in the course so that they can act in a socially responsible and ethical way throughout the course. Although these issues are taught specifically as part of this topic, they should also be reconsidered as each new topic is discussed. Thus, for example, interface design issues, duplication of code or ideas and language used in documentation should all be considered again at relevant parts in the course.
Outcomes A student: P2.2 describes the effects of program language developments on current practices P3.1 identifies the issues relating to the use of software solutions P6.1 describes the skills involved in software development.
Students learn about: | Students learn to: | Evolution of software applications - significant applications and design features such as:
- Command line interface
- GUI interface
- search engines
- VisiCalc
- web browsers
- presentation software
- email
- social networking applications
Intellectual property - copyright
- types of software licences
- licence terminology
- legal aspects
- use of software covered by a licence agreement
(see Course Specifications document)
- events that have led to the need for software licence agreements, including:
- ease of reproduction and copy
- collaborative development history
- the current open environment of the internet
- sources of code and license conditions that apply, such as:
- the internet
- books and magazines
| - identify significant milestones in the evolution of software applications and design features
- analyse the issues relating to intellectual property
- appropriately acknowledge externally sourced code
- use software in an ethically and legally correct manner
| Social context of software design Ergonomics - ergonomic issues regarding software design:
- effectiveness of screen design
- ease of use
- appropriate messages to the user
- consistency of the user interface
Inclusivity - • the need for software to not exclude individuals or groups based on characteristics such as:
- cultural background
- economic background
- gender
- disability
Privacy • need to protect an individual’s data and identity
Required skills in software design and development, including: • communication skills • ability to work in teams • creativity • design skills • technical skills • problem-solving skills • attention to detail
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- design and evaluate software interfaces in terms of inclusivity
- identify ways in which privacy can be protected
- identify the range of skills required to complete a minor software project
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