[Informatics] Layout diagrams - an exciting new can of worms

[Mark]

Hi, thrill seekers

A bemused teacher wrote to ask me what VCAA considers a "layout diagram" to
be.

The study design says (p.15 - with my emphasis) that


*"Planning the solution also involves determining its appearance,
including, where appropriate, the user interface.This typically involves
identifying the position and size of text, images and graphics, font types,
colours and text enhancements. Design tools used for this purpose include
layout diagrams, annotated diagrams/mock ups."*

So, according to VCAA layout diagrams are used to design the *appearance*
of solutions, like mock-ups. Sadly, VCAA has not actually described or
defined "layout diagram" or explained the difference between them and
mock-ups.

The VCAA ITI sample exam's
<http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/exams/technology/it-informatics-specs-samp.pdf>
section A had this question (the 'correct' answer is A)






*Question 15The design tools that best show how web pages are linked in a
website would include a*A. site map and storyboard.B. layout diagram and
site map.C. context diagram and storyboard.D. structure chart and layout
diagram.*

The answer reinforces that VCAA does not consider a layout diagram to be a
*structural* design tool, like a sitemap. VCAA sees it as an *appearance*
design tool.

But if you do a Google image search for "layout diagram", all you will see
is tree-like, hierarchical diagrams showing the *structural* relationships
between solutions and their components - like site maps or hierarchy
diagrams.

My theory is that VCAA has confused "a layout diagram" with the standard
publishing term "a layout" - a pictorial depiction of how a publication
positions and sizes the header, sidebar, content, navbar et cetera on a
page or screen.

Would VCAA be kind enough to give an example of what it considers to be an
official 'layout diagram'? And perhaps an authoritative source that
substantiates their interpretation of the term?

Until then, the Rest Of The World seems to disagree with VCAA. And if kids
are going to lose marks on their exam based on a unique interpretation by
VCAA of 'layout diagram', students really ought to know. I'd suggest that
unless VCAA can validate their interpretation of the term "layout diagram",
they should not directly examine it in November.

Mark
--

Mark Kelly

mark at vceit.com
http://vceit.com
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