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Introduction to Technology-Assisted Decision-Making

Boost your decision-making skills with technology-assisted techniques to optimise outcomes in healthcare, industry, and education.

Introduction to Technology-Assisted Decision-Making: two employees looking at a clipboard with a screen behind them displaying a graph.
  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Digital upgrade

    Free

Delve into different decision-making techniques

Humans make countless decisions daily, but do we always make the best ones? Imagine if technology could enhance our decision-making processes across various fields, from healthcare to manufacturing.

This two-week course introduces the concept of technology-assisted decision-making, teaching you techniques to optimise outcomes in industry, health, and education.

You’ll explore fundamental concepts and applications of technology-assisted decision-making, such as resource allocation, production planning, and network optimisation. You’ll also gain practical skills to help you to solve real-world problems effectively.

Gain an understanding of graph theory

You’ll start by identifying decision-making problems and how specialised software can be used to solve them.

Next, you’ll be introduced to the first example of how technology and computer science can be used to support decision-making. Using a practical example, you’ll explore how ‘graph theory’ can help solve problems.

Learn how to use linear programming

Next, you’ll delve into a second type of technology-assisted decision-making – linear optimisation.

Linear programming and optimisation are powerful techniques used to find the best possible solution to a problem within a set of constraints.

On the course, you’ll discover how it’s used to make decisions that involve allocating resources, such as determining the most efficient production plan or assigning staff to various departments while minimising costs.

Advance your knowledge of technology-assisted decision-making with the University of Leeds

Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by the experts at the School of Computing at the University of Leeds.

By the end, you’ll know how to enhance your decision-making skills with cutting-edge technologies.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Decision-making with graph theory

    • Course Introduction

      Explore how technology can enhance decision-making in healthcare and manufacturing. Learn to optimise outcomes, starting with an introduction to technology-assisted decision-making, practical examples, and graph theory.

    • What is technology-assisted decision-making?

      Learn what technology-assisted decision-making is and why it's important. Understand how computer tools enhance human decisions. By the end, you'll be able to explain technology-assisted decision-making, recognize its benefits, an

    • A case study: Introducing GigaFibre

      Explore a case study of GigaFibre, a fictional company facing real-world challenges. Understand their decision-making problem and solve it using simple calculations. Learn techniques to aid in their decision-making.

    • Using graph theory in decision-making

      Discover a quick method for solving decision-making problems using graph theory. Learn basic concepts, apply Kruskal's algorithm to real-world problems, and explain how to demonstrate its correctness.

  • Week 2

    Decision-making with linear programming

    • The bakery problem and linear optimization

      Use math to make the best choice! Turn bakery ingredients into maximum profit. This is called optimization. Learn how businesses use math to solve real-world problems.

    • Optional - Give it a go

      Dive into linear programming! Solve problems with two unknowns to find the best outcome. Also, try tricky look-alike problems.

    • Course Summary

      Reflect on how technology-assisted decision-making, including techniques like graph theory and linear optimization, is used across different sectors and consider its future impact on your career.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain what technology-assisted decision-making is, and what it is used for.
  • Model a specific decision-making problem as a graph theory problem.
  • Apply a simple procedure to solve a decision-making problem, using Kruskal’s algorithm.
  • Assess the criteria and constraints in a decision-making process using linear optimisation.
  • Model specific scenarios as a linear optimisation problem.
  • Apply linear programming to optimise a two variable linear optimisation problem.

Who is the course for?

This course is one of a collection designed to help young people improve their digital skills and explore a career in tech. This course is ideal for those aged 16-30 looking for an introduction to Technology-Assisted Decision-Making to plan their career route and for those who are looking to switch careers.

Who will you learn with?

I am currently an Associate professor in the School of Computer Science, University of Leeds. Graduating with a PhD in theoretical computer science I am focused on computer science pedagogies.

Who developed the course?

University of Leeds

As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.

Click Start

This course is part of Click Start, a nationwide training programme developed by the Institute of Coding (IoC) , a national collaboration of universities, employers and charities and funded by Nominet – the public benefit company and guardians of the .UK namespace.

Institute of Coding

The Institute of Coding (IoC) is a national collaboration of employers, universities, and charities, on a mission to provide people from all walks of life with access to digital learning and career opportunities.

Endorsers and supporters

funded by

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What's included?

University of Leeds are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Tests to validate your learning
  • A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible
  • Learning on FutureLearn

    Your learning, your rules

    • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
    • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
    • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

    Join a global classroom

    • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
    • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
    • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

    Map your progress

    • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
    • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
    • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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