Computation refers to the use or operation of a computer or the act or process of computing or calculating something.

Computation is any type of calculation that includes both arithmetic – the manipulation of numbers – and non-arithmetical steps and follows a well-defined model, for example an algorithm.

Computation refers to the use or operation of a computer or the act or process of computing or calculating something.

Computation is any type of calculation that includes both arithmetic – the manipulation of numbers – and non-arithmetical steps and follows a well-defined model, for example an algorithm.

John Maeda defined three kinds of design as a working model to build upon:

Classical Design, which pertains to the design of objects we use in the physical world,

Design Thinking, which pertains to how organisations learn how to collaborate and innovate using ideation methods, and

Computational Design, which pertains to any kind of creative activity that involves processors, memory, sensors, actuators, screens, and the network.

By definition the Input-Process-Output Model describes in the context of a computer program how a program receives inputs from a user or other sources, does some computations on the inputs, and returns the results of the computations.

This Model applies to many aspects of computation but can also be found in many other disciplines and aspects of everyday life.

By definition the Input-Process-Output Model describes in the context of a computer program how a program receives inputs from a user or other sources, does some computations on the inputs, and returns the results of the computations.

Let’s take a light switch for example, an input to control the light state in a room. By flipping the light switch, a circuit interrupts or establishes the flow of current to a light bulb, the output.

Every algorithm takes in defined inputs (the things being acted upon) and has the goal of producing defined outputs (the results you want). For example, maybe you have a set algorithm for making yourself a sandwich for lunch. Your goal, or output, might be to make a sandwich that will fill you up. The inputs are all of the ingredients that will go into the sandwich, and your algorithm is how you order and arrange these things so that you can get your desired result, or output, of a sandwich.

The second Activity this semester is concerned with the Input-Process-Output Model. This model refers not only to computer systems but finds application in so many different everyday situations that we take for granted but have all been designed at different levels including form, aesthetics, interface, interaction, or system.

Share and discuss the above with your classmates and note down the feedback you receive, add some reflective thoughts.

Find, analyse and describe an everyday object in your house in detail under each step

1) Input

2) Process / Algorithm

3) Output

Document your findings in a .docx writeup including hand drawn sketches.

Design and describe a scenario for an everyday object that requires an input to trigger a process / algorithm and results in an output that you define. Describe your ideas elaborately in a series of hand drawn sketches, annotated notes and flow graphs.

A popular interview question for software development engineers is: “What happens when you type www.google.com in your browser”

Let’s take a light switch for example, an input to control the light state in a room. By flipping the light switch, a circuit interrupts or establishes the flow of current to a light bulb, the output.