7-8 Digital Technologies: Defining and decomposing problems Hangman
Years 7–8 · Victorian Curriculum · 13 key terms.
Every word, shuffled.
The names stay in this browser on this computer — they are never sent to Cloodit. A random student is called for each word.
Students learn to define a real-world problem for a user, break it into sub-problems, and set out its functional requirements, constraints, scope and success criteria. See the whole journey →
Want your own words? Free Hangman Generator →
Same words, on paper
The quiet activity after the loud one. Free to print, answer keys included.
CrosswordDefining problems and requirements and Designing algorithms with branching and iteration · Defining and decomposing problems and Designing and tracing algorithms · Requirements, constraints and scope and Design tools for databases, spreadsheets and visualisations · all 4
Word searchDefining problems and requirements and Designing algorithms with branching and iteration · Ethics and APA referencing to Design tools for databases, spreadsheets and visualisations · Defining and decomposing problems to Evaluating digital solutions
Worksheetfor any module, with answer key
When your class is on devices — Snake Break and Diamond Dash run on the same modules, with a free class.
The 13 key terms
- 1problem
- 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.
- 2user need
- Something a user must be able to do or have to finish a task or fix their problem. A need is not just a want. We write it as: The user needs to...
- 3interview
- A conversation where you ask one user questions and listen to their answers to learn about their problem.
- 4[User] needs a way to [do something] because [reason]
- A problem statement is one sentence that names the user, says the task they need to do, and gives the reason why it matters. It turns a vague idea into a clear problem.
- 5decomposition
- Breaking a big problem into smaller parts, so each part is simple enough to solve in a few steps. You can then choose one part to solve first.
- 7decomposition diagram
- A tree with the whole problem at the top and boxes below for its smaller sub-problems. Each level adds detail, and you stop splitting when a part is simple.
- 8The solution must
- Starts a functional requirement: one thing a digital solution must do. It says what the solution does, not how, and covers one action. Example: The solution must show the score.
- 9non-functional requirement
- A rule about how well a solution must work, such as how fast, easy to use or reliable it is. It is not about what the solution does, which is a functional requirement.
- 10constraint
- A limit on how a solution can be made, such as time, cost, skills, devices or software. A constraint is not a feature; it limits what you can build.
- 11scope
- The boundary of what a solution will and will not include. Features inside the boundary are in scope. Features left out, or saved for later, are out of scope.
- 12requirements list
- A list that sorts what a solution must do (requirements) from the limits it must work within (constraints), for one problem. Each item should be clear and testable.
- 13co-develop requirements
- Work with your teacher, the user and classmates to ask questions, list what the solution must do, and agree on a final list of requirements.
- 14success criterion
- A checkable statement about what a solution must do for the user, like 'The user can log in.' You check it with yes or no to see if the solution works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an account?
No. Hangman runs straight from this page — no account, no sign-up, nothing to install. If you add your class names, they are saved in your own browser and never sent to Cloodit.
How do I play it with my class?
Put the page on your whiteboard or projector and press Play. The class calls out letters and you click or type them. Six wrong letters and the word gets away. After every word its definition appears, so each round ends on the meaning, not just the spelling.
Can I use my own words?
Yes. The free Hangman generator at cloodit.com/hangman/ takes any list: one word or phrase per line, with a definition after a dash if you want it shown at the end of the round.
Can I put my students' names in?
Yes. Add your class list and a random student is called for each word. The list stays in this browser on this computer, so it is still there next lesson.
Are the worksheets free too?
Yes. Every module in this journey has a free printable worksheet with a full answer key, and there are crosswords and word searches built from the same key terms.