← Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

What is a problem a digital system can solve?

Something difficult or annoying for someone. Some problems can be solved or made easier by a digital system, like an app, but others need something non-digital, like a tool.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Creating Digital Solutions — Module 1, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Defining and decomposing problems — Module 1

Understanding What is a problem a digital system can solve? in Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

What it does: Forgetting things is a problem an app can help with by sending reminders. A loose shoelace is fixed with a tool or a skill, so an app is not the right solution. A homework reminder app can help you remember due dates. Tying a shoelace needs your hands, not a digital system. A problem is something difficult or annoying. Only some problems can be solved by a digital system. A digital survey can collect and count votes quickly. A bigger room does not help with counting. A wobbly leg needs a tool like a screwdriver. An app could track reading minutes.

Common mistakes: The variable was named idea, so ide does not exist. The line should be OUTPUT idea. A messy desk is fixed with a non-digital tool like a tray, not an app. It should be digital ← FALSE.

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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 1–10) and word search (Modules 1–20).

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

Learning
Duo
Which one is a problem a digital system could help with?
Forgetting when your homework is dueYour shoelace has come undone
Matches
Problem: My pencil is broken. Solution: Build an app.
↓
A broken pencil does not need a digital system. A pencil sharpener is the better, non-digital fix.
Applying
Meanings
Term
problem
Meaning
Something difficult or annoying for someone. Some problems can be solved or made easier by a digital system, like an app, but others need something non-digital, like a tool.
Practice
Problem: I forget my homework.
Testing
Gaps
← "Forgetting my homework"
Check Answer
Spots
3idea ← "Reminder app"
4OUTPUT ide

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Quick Questions

1. Which one is a problem a digital system could help with?
A. Your shoelace has come undone
B. Forgetting when your homework is due ✓
A homework reminder app can help you remember due dates. Tying a shoelace needs your hands, not a digital system.
2. A problem is something that is...
A. Difficult or annoying for someone ✓
B. Always solved by an app
A problem is something difficult or annoying. Only some problems can be solved by a digital system.
3. Your class wants to vote on a favourite book and count the votes fast. What could help?
A. A digital survey that counts votes for you ✓
B. A bigger classroom
A digital survey can collect and count votes quickly. A bigger room does not help with counting.
4. True or false: every problem can be solved with a digital system.
A. True
B. False ✓
Some problems need something non-digital, like a tool, a plan or a helping hand.
5. Which problem needs something non-digital?
A. A wobbly table leg that needs fixing ✓
B. Losing track of your reading minutes
A wobbly leg needs a tool like a screwdriver. An app could track reading minutes.

Match the Pairs

problem → Something difficult or annoying for someone that we might want to fix
digital system → An app, game or device that can help solve a problem or make it easier
A problem a digital system can help with: you keep forgetting your homework → Idea: a reminder app that beeps before homework is due
A problem that needs something non-digital: your shoelace keeps coming undone → Idea: learn a double knot or use new laces
Problem: My pencil is broken. Solution: Build an app. → A broken pencil does not need a digital system. A pencil sharpener is the better, non-digital fix.
Problem: I want an app. Solution: Make an app. → This is not a real problem. A problem is something difficult or annoying for someone, such as forgetting library book due dates.

Key Term

problem
Something difficult or annoying for someone. Some problems can be solved or made easier by a digital system, like an app, but others need something non-digital, like a tool.

Fill in the Blanks

1. problem ← "Forgetting my homework"
Hint: Type the variable name for something difficult or annoying for someone.
2. problem ← "Hard to share a class timetable" type ← digital
Hint: Type the word for a solution that uses an app or computer, which suits this problem.
3. problem ← "Cannot reach a high shelf" type ← nonDigital
Hint: Type the word for a solution that needs a tool, not an app or computer.
4. IF appCanHelp = true THEN type ← digital ELSE type ← nonDigital
Hint: Type the keyword that comes after the condition in an IF line.
5. problem ← "Muddy shoes at the door" type ← nonDigital PRINT type
Hint: Type the command that shows the kind of solution on the screen.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A problem ← "Lost books"
B digital ← TRUE
C idea ← "Reminder app"
D OUTPUT ide
Line D — The variable was named idea, so ide does not exist. The line should be OUTPUT idea.
Question 2
A problem ← "Messy desk"
B digital ← TRUE
C tool ← "Desk tray"
D OUTPUT tool
Line B — A messy desk is fixed with a non-digital tool like a tray, not an app. It should be digital ← FALSE.
Question 3
A problem ← "Nan lives far away"
B digital = TRUE
C IF digital THEN
D OUTPUT "Video call app"
E ENDIF
Line B — A value is stored in a variable with the assignment arrow, not an equals sign. It should be digital ← TRUE.
Question 4
A problem ← "Can't reach shelf"
B digital ← FALSE
C tool ← "Chat app"
D OUTPUT tool
Line C — Reaching a high shelf is a problem that needs something non-digital, like a step stool. A chat app cannot help.
Question 5
A problem ← "Spelling mistakes"
B digital ← TRUE
C IF digital = TRUE THEN
D OUTPUT Spell checker
E ENDIF
Line D — Text to be shown must be inside quotation marks. It should be OUTPUT "Spell checker".

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