| Date | May 2022 | Marks available | 3 | Reference code | 22M.1.SL.TZ0.2 |
| Level | SL | Paper | 1 | Time zone | no time zone |
| Command term | Identify | Question number | 2 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Investigation of ocean disasters
A system called the Marine Accident Data Analysis Suite (MADAS) uses data collected from marine accidents to create models that are used as part of a simulation1 to help understand what has happened (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: An example of a MADAS model
Cruise ships are required to carry a voyage data recorder (VDR), which uses sensors to monitor the conditions in the ship at all times. The data from the sensors is collected and input into a relational database2 (see Figure 3) that is a part of the MADAS system (see Figure 4).
Figure 3: Part of the relational database in the MADAS system
Figure 4: The MADAS system
1 simulation: a computer simulation is the usage of a computer for the modelling of a real-world process or system
2 relational database: a database that consists of one or more tables where there are pre-defined relationships between the data elements
[Figure 2: With permission from the International Union of Marine Insurance. Source adapted.]
The voyage data recorder (VDR) gathers information during a voyage.
Identify three sensors that may be used to detect data about the weather conditions.
Identify three advantages of using a relational database rather than a flat-file database.
There are concerns about the reliability of the data being input into the MADAS system.
Explain why data validation and data verification are used to ensure the reliability of the data being input into the MADAS system.
The MADAS system uses data visualization.
Explain why data visualization is used by the MADAS system.
To what extent can the use of models and simulations like the MADAS system help prevent future accidents?
Markscheme
Answers may include:
- (Atmospheric) pressure
- Temperature
- Wind (speed/direction)
- Humidity
- Rain / precipitation / water level (BOD)
- Sunlight
Award [1] for identifying each sensor that may be used to detect data about weather conditions up to a maximum of [3].
Answers may include:
- Any item of data is only entered once, which eliminates redundant data.
- Reduces the amount of storage space needed for the database.
- Reduces the chance of an error occurring.
- (Normalization) reduces the chance of anomalies (e.g., update / deletion / insertion).
- Improves security of the data, as different permissions can be added to different tables.
- Quicker to enter and update data.
Award [1] for identifying each advantage of a relational database rather than using a flat-file database up to [3].
Answers may include:
- Data validation is the process of ensuring the data entered is valid (clean, correct and useful) using computer-based rules (e.g. presence check, length check, type check, range check etc).
- Data verification is the process of checking what has been entered is correct compared to the original (integrity) or by entering the data twice and comparing the instances of the data entry.
- The combination of validation and verification ensures that the data can be checked most efficiently. Validation prevents erroneous data being added so that only a smaller subset of the data needs to be manually checked (verification).
Award [1] for a definition of data validation.
Award [1] for a definition of data verification.
Award [1] for a statement that explains why both validation and verification is necessary.
Answers may include:
- Visualization is story telling with images, graphs and charts.
- It uses mathematical operations to model events that enables complex data to be presented in a way that can be easily understood.
- Allowing the easy identification of trends to make connections between operations and results / to identify future problems which may arise / predict accidents.
Award [1] for identifying a reason why data visualization is used by the MADAS system and [1] for each subsequent development of that reason up to [3].
Answers may include:
Advantages:
- There is a lot of data and if this is put together usefully then the causes of the accident can be better understood (systems).
- Understanding the accident will mean that mitigation strategies can be developed (systems).
- If the model/simulation was part of a training programme, then the simulations could be used to teach future boat pilots how to avoid the same kind of accidents.
- Cheaper to run a model/situation through a simulation to see what will happen than to wait for it to happen in real life (cost).
- The information from the model and simulation may allow the authorities to make changes to the regulations.
- “What if” models/simulations can be easily run to observe the effects of changes in behaviour or conditions (values/ethics).
Disadvantages:
- Models/Simulations are only as accurate/reliable as the data which is given to them. GIGO.
- Models/Simulations might be biased because they have been created by a particular organization / company.
- Models/Simulations are not the real thing so even if a person has trained on a simulation, there is no guarantee that this will mean they will know what to do if facing a possible accident.
- Too many variables to account for and it is unclear which of these might have made the accident worse or better (systems, data, algorithms).
In part (c) of this question it is expected there will be a balance between the terminology related to digital systems and the terminology related to social and ethical impacts.
Keywords: transport, infrastructure, data, algorithm, accuracy, reliability, model, modelling, training, environment, systems, ethics, values
Refer to SL/HL paper 1, part c markbands when awarding marks. These can be found under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials > Digital society markbands and guidance document.
Examiners report
Syllabus sections
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21M.1.SL.TZ0.4a.i:
In addition to a voice sensor, identify two sensors that would be found in Pepper.
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19M.1.SL.TZ0.3a.i:
In addition to adaptable font size, identify two features of the e-voting graphical user interface (GUI) that could be customized to make it accessible for all voters.
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19M.2.SL.TZ0.4:
To what extent do you agree that the advantages of implanting microchips in humans outweigh the concerns? Use all the sources and your own knowledge.
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21N.1.HL.TZ0.6:
Smart warehouse
Greenwood Industries’ warehouse uses a smart storage solution for the picking of products from the shelves of the warehouse. Robots are used in this automated picking process.
Currently, these robots are programmed to access a knowledge base* that enables these robots to use the most efficient route for the picking of products.
Greenwood Industries claims the picking process would be improved if the expert system was replaced by an artificial neural network (ANN).
Discuss whether Greenwood Industries should replace the existing system with one that uses an artificial neural network (ANN).
* knowledge base: a set of rules that are manually input into an expert system.
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20N.1.SL.TZ0.3c:
The development of mobile health apps has changed the way citizens manage their own health and well-being.
Discuss whether citizens like Jaime should rely only on the advice of a health app to manage their own health and well-being.
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18M.3.HL.TZ0.3:
The students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) want to be included in school activities and have appropriate access to the curriculum.
The two interventions influence a student’s identity in the classroom.
Evaluate the impact of educational digital technologies, such as social robots and assistive technologies, on the identity of students with SEND in Tayton School.
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17N.1.SL.TZ0.4a.i:
Identify two sensors that Robbi could use.
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18N.1.HL.TZ0.5:
App or intuition?
Apps have been developed that allow a customer to submit a trip request to a taxi company on their smartphone. These apps allow the customer to select the starting point and final destination of the journey as well as add other information, such as the time of journey and number of passengers.
The developers of the taxi journey app claim it can capture the real-time details of a journey, including the starting point, route, distance travelled, the speed of the car and the final destination. The app integrates this information with real-time traffic information, such as closed roads or accidents. Fares can be estimated before the journey, and the customer can pay digitally with their credit card or by PayPal.
Some traditional taxi drivers in cities such as Paris and Rio de Janeiro have campaigned against the introduction of these apps in taxi companies. Based on previous journeys recorded by the app, the taxi company recommends that their taxi drivers rely on the taxi journey app rather than their own knowledge of the city when determining the best route.
Discuss whether the taxi driver should rely on the taxi journey app, rather than their own knowledge of the city, when determining the best route.
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18M.1.HL.TZ0.5:
Can digital technologies be used sustainably?
Many organizations claim that the most efficient use of information technology (IT) equipment, such as laptops and printers, is to replace them on a regular basis. For example, an organization’s strategy may be to do this every three years.
Other organizations purchase IT equipment that can easily be upgraded by increasing the storage and memory or upgrading the processing capabilities only when required. They claim they do not need to replace their IT equipment on such a regular basis and believe this is a more sustainable practice.
Evaluate the sustainability of these two strategies.
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20N.1.SL.TZ0.4a.ii:
Identify two sensors that the passenger’s bracelet may use.
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19N.1.SL.TZ0.3b:
There are two possible methods for ensuring students use the TailorEd online learning system responsibly. They are:
- restricting access to sites that may be considered inappropriate
- educating the students about acceptable use.
Analyse these two methods.
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19M.3.HL.TZ0.2a:
Explain how Miketon Town Council could encourage its citizens to use the ride-sharing app.
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18M.3.HL.TZ0.4:
With reference to the stimulus material and your own inquiries, recommend whether Tayton School should use social robots and/or assistive technologies to ensure students with SEND can be further integrated into the school.
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19M.3.HL.TZ0.1b:
Identify two characteristics of ride-sharing apps that have made them popular
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19M.1.SL.TZ0.1a.i:
Identify two characteristics of a haptic interface.
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19M.1.HL.TZ0.5:
How to appropriately interact in an online environment
Increasing numbers of parents are claiming digital technologies that monitor online activities are the best way to protect their children from offensive content. A number of companies, such as mSpy and Qustodio, have developed online monitoring apps.
Other parents claim it is not necessary to monitor their children’s online behaviour, preferring to encourage their children to develop the knowledge and skills to make appropriate choices.
Parents can consider two different interventions to ensure their children use the online environment appropriately:
- Monitor their children’s online behaviour using apps
- Encourage their children to develop the knowledge and skills to use the online environment and make appropriate choices.
With reference to real-life scenarios, evaluate these two interventions.
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21N.1.SL.TZ0.1a.i:
Identify two hardware devices that Rajesh could use to view his internet protocol television (IPTV) channels.
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21N.1.HL.TZ0.5:
Smart farming
A government in East Africa is using the expertise of scientists at a university in the region to promote the culture of smart farming and increase the productivity of farmers (see Figure 5). To do this, they have developed an app that the farmers can use to assist them in their decision-making.
Figure 5: An example of farming in East Africa
[Palmer, N., 2010. A farmer at work in Kenya’s Mount Kenya region [image] [online] Available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2DU_Kenya_86_(5367322642).jpg (CC BY-SA 2.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en [Accessed 18 May 2020].]
Unfortunately, the scientists who developed the app have received many complaints from farmers who have been unable to use it. They are considering two options:
- making the existing system more user-friendly
- educating the farmers to use the existing system.
The scientists claim by making changes to the app it will make the app more user-friendly for the farmers. However, the farmers claim it would be better to provide them with education, such as training, so they can use the existing app.
Evaluate these two claims.
