UNIT PLAN (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)

Unit Title: PROBLEM-SOLVING

Unit Summary
This unit deals with the skills and knowledge required for the students to have an
understanding of the fundamental principles and practices of problem-solving
Curriculum Links
The curriculum areas which this unit will cover is CSEC Information Technology
Section 2 Specific Objectives 1-4
Year Level: Form 4 CSEC
Approximate Time Needed: Total (8) lessons spread over (3) * 35-min periods
Standards/Syllabus Outcomes

On completion of this Unit, students should have a full understanding of the

fundamental principles and practices of problem-solving and the ability to think
critically to apply later on when they are implementing programs.
Curriculum-Framing Questions
Essential Question

Unit Questions

Essential Question
How would problem solving help me in everyday
situations?
Unit Questions
1. How do you identify a problem?
2. Are there steps in solving a problem?

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UNIT PLAN (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)

Content Questions

Content Questions
1. What is problem solving and how does it
relate to everyday life?
2. What are the steps in solving a problem?
3. Why do you need steps to solve a problem?
4. What are the different parts of a problem?
5. What are the different ways to represent a
problem?
6. How can the solution to a problem be
represented in different ways?
7. What is data and how is it stored?
8. What are variables and constants ?
9. What are the different types of data that are
represented by a variable?
10.What are control structures?
11.How do control structures relate to
algorithm?
12.What is a FOR loop and how does it
function?

Before Unit Work Begins

K-W-L sheet
discussion
(gauging)

While Students Work

on Unit
checklist
questions
Case studies
(investigating)

After Unit Work

Ends

Analysis of students
response to questions

Students are allowed to

work with other students
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UNIT PLAN (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)

while learning
Unit Details

Unit Details
Lesson 1: What are the steps in solving a problem?
Define problem solving
Outline the steps/stages required to
solve a problem.
Clearly explain in detail each of the
steps required in solving a problem.
Lesson 2 :Parts of a Problem and Algorithm
Decompose a simple problems into its
significant parts.
Identify the importance of each part
Define and explain the concept of an
algorithm
State the characteristics of an algorithm
Lesson 3: Variables and constants and data types
Define a variable
Define a constant
Distinguish between a constant and a
variable
Define data types
State and identify the various data types
Explain giving examples the different
types of data
Use appropriate data types to solve
problems
Lesson 4 :Representing Algorithms.
Identify the different ways of
representing an algorithm
Define a psuedocode
Define a flowchart
Explain the structure of a psuedcode
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UNIT PLAN (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)

and flowchart and provide examples

Lesson 5: How can the solution to a problem be
represented in different ways?- Psuedocode
Explain the characteristics of an
algorithms
Explain the structure of an algorithm
Lesson 6: How can the solution to a problem be
represented in different ways?- Flowchart
Define flowchart
Explain the structure of the flowchart
Identify the shapes associated with flowcharts
Lesson 7:What are control structure and how do they
relate to algorithms?
Define control structures/condition
statements
Identify and explain the different
control structures
1. Sequence
2. Selection
3. Iteration
Illustrate the use of constructs in a
psuedocode algorithm
Lesson 8 :What is a FOR loop and how does it
function?
Identify the different types of loops with
emphasis on FOR loop
Define a FOR loop
Structure of a FOR loop
Create simple problems in psuedocode
using a for loop
Use FOR loop in a flowchart
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UNIT PLAN (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)

Student Prerequisite Skills

Student Prerequisite Skills

Computer literacy skills
Research, and communication skills
Basic arithmetic skills

Students Prior
Knowledge

Students Prior Knowledge

Fundamentals of computer hardware
components specifically data storage
Basic Arithmetic Operations

Teachers Processional
Learning

Teachers Processional Learning

Knowledge of Problem solving and problem
solving of computer programs
Computer literacy skills

Teaching and Learning Activities

Strategies case studies , questioning, , collaborative learning
Activity sheet , question sheets, role playing, checklist, active learning,
Accommodations for Diverse Needs
Students with Special Needs
The more competent students will be paired with the weaker students so that
additional assistance can be given (Peer Teaching).
The teacher will make himself/ herself available to students during break time and
lunch time periods
Gifted Students
Challenge these student with more complex case studies and activity sheets
These students would be allowed to visit online websites that gives more practice
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UNIT PLAN (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)

exercises on the topic

Materials and Resources Required for Unit
Technology Hardware

Technology Hardware
Computer with Internet access
Projector
Furniture

Technology Software

Technology Software
Windows Vista
Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS PowerPoint)
Videos from Youtube

Printed Materials

Printed Materials
Activity sheets
question sheets
case study sheets

Other Resources

Other Resources
Classroom with movable furniture
White board and markers
Textbook- Heinemann Information Technology
for CSEC- K. Reid, D. Dinesan, R. Khan

Unit Author
First and Last Name

Esther Douglas

School District

Tobago

School Name

Roxborough Secondary School

School Address

Bloody Bay, Roxborough, Tobago

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