← Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

Evaluating an existing digital solution

To test a solution the way its user would, then compare what it does with the requirements to find what works well and what is missing.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Creating Digital Solutions — Module 70, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Evaluating digital solutions — Module 4, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Evaluating solutions, impact and innovation — Module 4, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Understanding Digital Problems — Module 25, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — User Experiences and Interfaces — Module 13

Understanding Evaluating an existing digital solution in Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

What it does: The test matches the requirement and the solution did what was needed, so it is something that works well. The user looked for the feature and could not find it, so the evaluation records it as missing. Evaluating means testing the solution as its user would and then comparing what it does with the requirements. If a requirement is not met by the app, it goes in your list of what is missing. The big buttons help meet the requirement, so this is a strength of the solution.

Common mistakes: When the solution meets the need, it belongs in the works well list. It should say 'Add to works well list', not 'Add to missing list'. To evaluate a solution you must test it the way its user would, not guess. Line 1 should be 'Test the app as its user would'.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 61–74) and word search (Modules 41–74).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
Which is the best way to start evaluating a school library app?
Use it the way a student would, then compare it with the requirementsLook at the colours and decide if you like them
Matches
Evaluation: I read the code and it looks fine, so it works.
↓
The solution was not tested as its user would. Reading it is not enough; you need to use it and try the tasks.
Applying
Meanings
Term
evaluate
Meaning
To test a solution the way its user would, then compare what it does with the requirements to find what works well and what is missing.
Practice
EVALUATE the school library app
Testing
Gaps
app: test as user, compare
Check Answer
Spots
3 IF it meets the need THEN
4 Add to missing list

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Quick Questions

1. Which is the best way to start evaluating a school library app?
A. Look at the colours and decide if you like them
B. Use it the way a student would, then compare it with the requirements ✓
Evaluating means testing the solution as its user would and then comparing what it does with the requirements.
2. The requirement says: 'Students can search for a book by title.' You type a title and the right book appears. What does this show?
A. This requirement is missing
B. This requirement works well ✓
The app does what the requirement asked, so you can record it as something that works well.
3. The requirements say: 'Show if a book is borrowed.' You test the app and find no borrowed information at all. What do you record?
A. What is missing: borrowed status is not shown ✓
B. What works well: borrowed status is shown
If a requirement is not met by the app, it goes in your list of what is missing.
4. Who should you think like when you test a solution?
A. The person who will use it ✓
B. The person who made it
A good evaluation tests the solution as its user would, because the solution is made to meet the user's need.
5. What do you compare the solution with when you evaluate it?
A. The requirements ✓
B. Your favourite game
The requirements list what the solution must do, so they are the measure for your evaluation.

Match the Pairs

evaluate → To test a solution the way its user would, then compare what it does with the requirements
requirement: Show the score → A check to make when evaluating: does the solution do this? Tick it as 'works well' or note it as 'missing'
What works well: a requirement the solution meets when tested as a user → Requirement: Add a name. Test: typed 'Mia' and it saved. Result: works well
What is missing: a requirement the solution does not meet when tested → Requirement: Undo a mistake. Test: looked for an undo button. Result: missing
Evaluation: I read the code and it looks fine, so it works. → The solution was not tested as its user would. Reading it is not enough; you need to use it and try the tasks.
Evaluation: The app has bright colours and I like it. Done! → The evaluation did not compare the solution with the requirements. Personal opinion alone does not show what works or what is missing.

Key Term

evaluate
To test a solution the way its user would, then compare what it does with the requirements to find what works well and what is missing.

Fill in the Blanks

1. evaluate app: test as user, compare
Hint: Type the key word for judging an existing solution by testing it and comparing it with the requirements.
2. IF app meets requirement THEN PRINT "What works well" ELSE PRINT "What is missing"
Hint: Type the keyword that starts the steps to follow when the condition is true.
3. IF app meets requirement THEN PRINT "Works well" ELSE PRINT "Missing: needs a fix"
Hint: Type the keyword for the path taken when the app does not meet the requirement.
4. requirement ← "Show the score" result ← "Score is not shown" IF result ≠ requirement THEN PRINT "Missing"
Hint: Type the variable that holds what the app actually did when the user tested it.
5. requirement ← "Show the score" result ← "Score is shown" IF result = requirement THEN PRINT "Works"
Hint: Type the comparison operator that checks whether the result is the same as the requirement.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A FOR each requirement
B Test it as the user would
C IF it meets the need THEN
D Add to missing list
E ELSE Add to missing list
Line D — When the solution meets the need, it belongs in the works well list. It should say 'Add to works well list', not 'Add to missing list'.
Question 2
A Guess how the app works
B Compare it to the requirements
C List what works well
D List what is missing
Line A — To evaluate a solution you must test it the way its user would, not guess. Line 1 should be 'Test the app as its user would'.
Question 3
A requirement: Save a score
B Test: play and press Save
C Result: score is saved
D Judgement: missing
Line D — The score was saved, so the requirement is met. The judgement should be 'works well', not 'missing'.
Question 4
A requirement: Show the time
B Test: read the code only
C Result: time is shown
D Judgement: works well
Line B — An evaluation tests the solution as its user would, by opening and using the app. Reading only the code is not a user test. It should be 'Test: open the app, look'.
Question 5
A requirement: Sound on click
B Test: click the button
C Result: sound plays
D Judgement: missing
Line C — The judgement says the sound is missing, so the result must report that no sound plays. The result should be 'Result: no sound plays'.

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