Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
APP DEVELOPMENT
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APP DEVELOPMENT
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Computing
Class: SHS 3
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 7
Grade code: 3.2.2.LI.2
Strand code: 2
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 3.2.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 3.2.2.LI.2
Theme: COMPUTATIONAL THINKING (PROGRAMMING LOGIC)
Subtheme: APP DEVELOPMENT
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In our daily lives, we interact with numerous applications on our phones and computers. Some apps, like a simple calculator, perform tasks in a fixed, predictable way. Others, like YouTube or Bolt, seem to "know" what we want, recommending videos or finding the best route in real-time traffic. This difference lies in the system's design: is it a Conventional System or an Intelligent System? Understanding this distinction is crucial for any aspiring app developer, tech entrepreneur, or even a knowledgeable user of technology in Ghana. As Ghana's digital economy grows, from FinTech (Mobile Money) to AgriTech, knowing which system is best for solving a specific problem is a vital skill.
This lesson focuses on two main types of systems that power the apps we use. A. Conventional Systems
A Conventional System is a computer program or application that follows a pre-defined, fixed set of rules and instructions to solve a problem. The logic is explicitly programmed by a developer. It does not learn or change its behaviour over time based on new data. Analogy: Think of a detailed recipe in a cookbook. You follow the exact steps every time to get the same result. The recipe itself never changes. Characteristics: Rule-Based: Operates on explicit `IF-THEN-ELSE` logic. Deterministic: For the same input, it will always produce the same output. Static: Its functionality does not change unless a programmer manually updates the code. No Learning: It cannot improve its performance through experience. Ghanaian Context Example: USSD Mobile Money Menu (\*170#): When you dial the code, you get a fixed menu (1. Transfer Money, 2. MoMoPay & Pay Bill, etc.). Your choices lead you down a pre-programmed path. The system doesn't learn that you always check your balance first and offer it as a shortcut. It is entirely rule-based. A simple School Timetable App: An app that just displays the class schedule for each day. The data is fixed and only changes if a school administrator manually updates it. B. Intelligent Systems (AI-Powered Systems)
An Intelligent System is an application that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to learn from data, identify patterns, and make decisions or predictions. It can adapt its behaviour without being explicitly reprogrammed for every new scenario. Analogy: Think of an experienced market woman at Makola Market. She learns your preferences over time. The more you buy from her, the better she can predict what you might want to buy next and even suggest new items you might like. She adapts to new information (e.g., a new shipment of fresh yams). Characteristics: Data-Driven: Its performance and "knowledge" come from the data it has been trained on. Adaptive: It can adjust its response based on new inputs and changing environments. Learning Capacity: It improves its accuracy and efficiency over time as it processes more data. Probabilistic: It often deals with uncertainty and provides the most likely or optimal solution, not always a single "correct" one. Ghanaian Context Example: Bolt or Uber App: This is an intelligent system. It uses GPS data to find the nearest driver (data-driven). It predicts your fare based on distance, time, and current demand (prediction). It adjusts the route in real-time based on traffic conditions (adaptability). Mobile Money Fraud Detection: The system analyses thousands of transactions. It learns what a "normal" transaction looks like for you. If a transaction suddenly occurs that is very unusual (e.g., a large amount sent to a new number at 3 AM), the system can flag it as potentially fraudulent. This is a learning system. C. Core Comparison: Factors from the Indicator
Let's break down the comparison using the specific factors required.