A Tale of Two Systems

Complete syllabus

Every chapter and lesson

1. 01

   Chapter 1 · 2 lessons

   1. TeachEngineering (TE) Overview

   1. 1.1

      Origin of TeachEngineering

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the origins and purpose of TeachEngineering.

      • Understand the historical context of TeachEngineering.
      • Identify the key contributors to the development of TeachEngineering.
      • Recognize the mission and goals of TeachEngineering.
   2. 1.2

      Resource Classification

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can classify different types of resources available in TeachEngineering.

      • Define the various categories of resources within TeachEngineering.
      • Differentiate between lesson plans, activities, and assessments.
      • Explain the importance of resource classification for educators.
2. 02

   Chapter 2 · 3 lessons

   2. Why Build (Twice!) Instead of Buy or Rent?

   1. 2.1

      Build, Buy or Rent?

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the considerations involved in deciding whether to build, buy, or rent a system.

      • Define the terms 'build', 'buy', and 'rent' in the context of system development.
      • Identify the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
      • Discuss factors influencing the decision-making process, such as cost, time, and customization needs.
   2. 2.2

      Leading vs. Bleeding Edge

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can differentiate between leading edge and bleeding edge technologies.

      • Define 'leading edge' and 'bleeding edge' technologies.
      • Explain the risks and rewards associated with adopting bleeding edge technologies.
      • Discuss how to evaluate whether to adopt leading edge or bleeding edge solutions based on organizational needs.
   3. 2.3

      In-House Development Challenges

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can identify the challenges associated with in-house development.

      • Define in-house development and its significance in system building.
      • Identify common challenges faced during in-house development, such as resource allocation and skill gaps.
      • Discuss strategies to overcome these challenges and ensure successful project outcomes.
3. 03

   Chapter 3 · 2 lessons

   3. TE 1.0 – XML

   1. 3.1

      XML Structure and Examples

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the structure of XML and provide examples of its usage.

      • Define Extensible Markup Language (XML) and its purpose.
      • Identify the basic components of XML, including elements, attributes, and tags.
      • Explain the importance of a well-formed XML document.
      • Provide examples of XML in real-world applications.
      • Discuss the differences between XML and other markup languages.
   2. 3.2

      AJAX Technology and Web Services

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can describe AJAX technology and its role in web services.

      • Define Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX) and its significance in web development.
      • Explain how AJAX enables asynchronous communication between the client and server.
      • Identify the components of AJAX, including XMLHttpRequest and JavaScript.
      • Discuss the advantages of using AJAX in web services.
      • Provide examples of AJAX in action within modern web applications.
4. 04

   Chapter 4 · 2 lessons

   4. TE 2.0 – JSON

   1. 4.1

      JSON Structure and Examples

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can understand the structure of JSON and provide examples of its use.

      • Define JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) and its purpose in data interchange.
      • Identify the basic structure of JSON including objects and arrays.
      • Provide examples of JSON syntax and common use cases.
   2. 4.2

      Comparing JSON and XML

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can compare and contrast JSON and XML in terms of structure and usability.

      • Define XML (eXtensible Markup Language) and its purpose in data representation.
      • Compare the syntax and readability of JSON and XML.
      • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using JSON over XML.
5. 05

   Chapter 5 · 2 lessons

   5. Relational (TE 1.0) vs. NoSQL (TE 2.0)

   1. 5.1

      NoSQL Database Characteristics

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can define the key characteristics of NoSQL databases.

      • Understand the concept of schema flexibility in NoSQL databases.
      • Identify the types of data models used in NoSQL databases.
      • Explain the importance of horizontal scalability in NoSQL systems.
      • Discuss the trade-offs between consistency and availability in NoSQL databases.
   2. 5.2

      Data Governance and Consistency

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can explain data governance and consistency in database systems.

      • Define data governance and its significance in database management.
      • Differentiate between strong consistency and eventual consistency.
      • Discuss the role of data governance in maintaining data integrity.
      • Explore the challenges of implementing data governance in NoSQL systems.
6. 06

   Chapter 6 · 2 lessons

   6. Resource Accessioning

   1. 6.1

      Mandatory and Optional Components

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can identify and differentiate between mandatory and optional components in resource accessioning.

      • Define mandatory components in resource accessioning.
      • Define optional components in resource accessioning.
      • Explain the importance of each type of component in the accessioning process.
   2. 6.2

      Resource Rendering and Database Queries

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can perform resource rendering and execute database queries effectively.

      • Define resource rendering and its significance in accessioning.
      • Explain the role of database queries in managing resources.
      • Demonstrate how to construct basic database queries for resource retrieval.
7. 07

   Chapter 7 · 2 lessons

   7. The Develop… Test… Build… Deploy Cycle

   1. 7.1

      Code Review and Testing

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the importance of code review and testing in the software development cycle.

      • Define code review and its purpose in maintaining code quality.
      • Explain the role of testing in identifying bugs and ensuring functionality.
      • Discuss different types of testing and their relevance in the development process.
      • Identify best practices for conducting effective code reviews.
   2. 7.2

      Monitoring and Unit Testing

      6 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can implement monitoring and unit testing strategies in your projects.

      • Define monitoring and its significance in maintaining application performance.
      • Explain unit testing and its role in validating individual components of code.
      • Discuss tools and frameworks commonly used for unit testing.
      • Describe how to integrate monitoring and unit testing into the development workflow.