<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)">
<style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
        {font-family:Calibri;
        panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
        {font-family:Tahoma;
        panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
        {margin:0cm;
        margin-bottom:.0001pt;
        font-size:12.0pt;
        font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
        {mso-style-priority:99;
        color:blue;
        text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
        {mso-style-priority:99;
        color:purple;
        text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
        {mso-style-type:personal-reply;
        font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
        color:#1F497D;}
.MsoChpDefault
        {mso-style-type:export-only;
        font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
        mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
@page WordSection1
        {size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
        margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;}
div.WordSection1
        {page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-AU" link="blue" vlink="purple">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Hi Mark and colleagues<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Mark, your question about the rationale of this proposed pair of units is a fair one, and I hope that the following explanation answers your query. With respect
to the second question about content, this I can’t answer, as it’s part of the reaccreditation process which is yet to begin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Currently within the VCE, students are able to undertake additional studies through the Higher Education studies program offered by universities – there are
two types of programs; those that extend an existing VCE study and those that are not linked to any VCE subject. There are several such IT-extension programs.
<a href="http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/vce/studies/studiesextension.aspx">http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/vce/studies/studiesextension.aspx</a> Students enrol in these subjects directly with the university offering the program and for ATAR purposes students
are eligible for bonus points (maximum of five). The standard of the studies is first year university, and the assessment and teaching is under the control of the university, as they are subjects offered in the undergraduate degree. Because of this arrangement,
students cannot count these studies towards their VCE. However this year the VCAA is working with several universities to co-jointly develop a couple of studies that will be at first-year university level and form part of the VCE. They will be written in study-design
format, assessed through the VCE assessment regime, and accredited by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA). As a consequence they will contribute towards satisfactory completion and students will receive a study score. From a pathways
perspective, universities will offer different incentives to students who have completed these studies, for example, contribution to the first-year subjects in an undergraduate degree.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Of course, as with any study that is being reaccredited or newly developed, the VCE Guidelines and Principles of assessment and curriculum will need to be followed,
including no duplication with other offerings. Currently with the Extension studies program, universities must get approval from the VCAA that their extended programs do not duplicate existing VCE programs to maintain the integrity of the VCE. It will be the
role of an expert group and the Review panel to determine the boundaries and details of the VCE IT offerings, but they must all comply with these curriculum and assessment guidelines.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">This is new territory and we are proceeding with care and enthusiasm.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Regards<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Paula<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Paula Christophersen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Curriculum Manager, Digital Technologies<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Victorian Curriculum and Assessment<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Authority<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">2 Lonsdale Street<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">MELBOURNE 3000<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">(03) 9032 1724<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">0407 043 110<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""> sofdev-bounces@edulists.com.au [mailto:sofdev-bounces@edulists.com.au]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Mark<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, 4 April 2013 4:27 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Year 12 SofDev] VCAA Bulletin Notice - expressions of interest: VCE IT Review Panel<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On 4 April 2013 15:59, Christophersen, Paula P <<a href="mailto:christophersen.paula.p@edumail.vic.gov.au" target="_blank">christophersen.paula.p@edumail.vic.gov.au</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">a new pair of units at levels 3 and 4 that will focus on computer science<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
I'd certainly like to know the rationale and anticipated content of the new <span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">pair of units at levels 3 and 4 that will focus on computer science, especially how it differs from ITA and SD.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Is that published anywhere?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">One of the Marks</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">--<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark Kelly<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">mark AT vceit DOT com<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://vceit.com" target="_blank">http://vceit.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><p><b>Important - </b>This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or using attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of any loss, damage or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not, resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any attached files our liability is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any representations or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender, and not necessarily those of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.</p>
</body>
</html>