← Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

Limits and improvements of an existing system

A change that helps when a system does not meet a user's need. Find the gap, suggest one new feature, and give your feedback in a kind, respectful way.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Creating Digital Solutions — Module 71, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Evaluating digital solutions — Module 7, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Evaluating solutions, impact and innovation — Module 6, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Understanding Digital Problems — Module 26, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — User Experiences and Interfaces — Module 74

Understanding Limits and improvements of an existing system in Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

What it does: Comparing the user's need with what the system does shows a gap. This feedback is kind, mentions a strength, and asks for just one helpful change. This module is about suggesting one clear change. Too many changes make it hard to see which one really helps the user. Kind feedback uses polite words such as thank you and could you. It states the improvement clearly without being rude or making threats. A gap is something the user needs that the system cannot do, like a missing sound-off button. A good suggestion is one clear change, such as a night mode button, that fixes the gap.

Common mistakes: A gap is a need the system does NOT meet. The line should say: gap ← need NOT met by system. The gap exists when the app has NO zoom button. The condition should be: IF app has no zoom button.

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Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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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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Learning
Duo
A library app lets you search for books but cannot show if a book is out. Which is a gap in the app?
The app has a search box that finds books by title.It does not show if a book is out, so users cannot tell if they can borrow it.
Matches
Your app is bad. Change everything!
↓
This feedback is rude and vague. It does not point to a gap or suggest one clear feature.
Applying
Meanings
Term
improvement
Meaning
A change that helps when a system does not meet a user's need. Find the gap, suggest one new feature, and give your feedback in a kind, respectful way.
Practice
System: School library app
Testing
Gaps
An is a change that helps a user.
Check Answer
Spots
1gap ← need met by system
2feature ← one new idea

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Quick Questions

1. A library app lets you search for books but cannot show if a book is out. Which is a gap in the app?
A. The app has a search box that finds books by title.
B. It does not show if a book is out, so users cannot tell if they can borrow it. ✓
A gap is a need the system does not meet. Searching works well, but the missing availability information is the gap.
2. Mia uses a school canteen app that has no way to mark food allergies. Which is the best improvement to suggest?
A. Add an allergy filter so students can hide foods they cannot eat. ✓
B. Change the colour of the app to blue.
A good improvement is one change that meets the user's unmet need. A new colour does not help Mia with her allergy.
3. Which piece of feedback about a game app is respectful?
A. This app is useless and whoever made it is silly.
B. I like the levels. It would help me if there was a pause button. ✓
Respectful feedback is kind, names something good and suggests a helpful change. It does not insult the people who made the system.
4. True or false: When you suggest an improvement, you should suggest ten new features all at once.
A. False. Suggest one change that fits the user's need. ✓
B. True. More features always make a system better.
This module is about suggesting one clear change. Too many changes make it hard to see which one really helps the user.
5. Grandpa finds the text in a weather app too small to read. What is the gap?
A. The app does not meet his need to read the text easily. ✓
B. The app shows the weather for tomorrow.
Finding a gap means comparing what the system does with what the user needs. Here the small text stops Grandpa from using it.

Match the Pairs

Gap: no way to turn the sound off → A need the system does not meet yet, so the user is left without help
Suggestion: add a night mode button → One new feature that could help the user with the gap you found
Finding a gap: Mia needs large text but the app only has small text → Need: large text | System: small text only | Gap: yes
Respectful feedback names something good, then kindly suggests one change → I like the clear buttons. Could you add a larger text option?
Your app is bad. Change everything! → This feedback is rude and vague. It does not point to a gap or suggest one clear feature.
Add a game, a map, a camera, a shop and a chat. → This suggests too many changes at once. An improvement should be one change that meets the user's need.

Key Term

improvement
A change that helps when a system does not meet a user's need. Find the gap, suggest one new feature, and give your feedback in a kind, respectful way.

Fill in the Blanks

1. An improvement is a change that helps a user.
Hint: Type the word for a change that helps when a system falls short.
2. A gap is a need the system does not meet.
Hint: Type the short word for a missing part where a need is not met.
3. Suggest a new feature to fill the gap.
Hint: Type the word for a new thing a system can do.
4. Give feedback in a kind and respectful way.
Hint: Type the word that describes polite feedback that shows care for others.
5. Suggest one change that would help the user.
Hint: Type the number of changes you should suggest.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A gap ← need met by system
B feature ← one new idea
C SAY feature kindly
Line A — A gap is a need the system does NOT meet. The line should say: gap ← need NOT met by system.
Question 2
A IF app has a zoom button
B THEN gap ← TRUE
C ELSE gap ← FALSE
Line A — The gap exists when the app has NO zoom button. The condition should be: IF app has no zoom button.
Question 3
A gap ← no way to save work
B feature ← save button
C SUGGEST gap
Line C — You suggest the new feature that fixes the problem, not the gap itself. It should be: SUGGEST feature.
Question 4
A need ← hear the story
B gap ← app has no audio
C feature ← add more pictures
Line C — The new feature must fix the gap. The gap is no audio, so the feature should be: feature ← add read aloud.
Question 5
A gap ← no dark mode at night
B feature ← dark mode setting
C SUGGEST feature
D SAY 'This app is bad'
Line D — Feedback should be kind and respectful and explain how to help. It should be something like: SAY 'Thanks! Please add it'.

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