[Year 12 IPM] Rationale behind the new study design

[Mark Kelly]

A wonderfully concise answer, Paula!  (I've just been lecturing my 
IPMers about concision and relevance when answering questions!)

The reasons for changing a course are, I think, as important as the 
actual changes that are made.

Why, for example, is the new course much richer in multimedia?  Could it 
be that:  multimedia experience is demanded by tertiary institutions, or 
employers, or both; it makes the course more attractive to students who 
are deserting IT; it makes the course more attractive to girls; the new 
course is less geeky and choked with dry theory; etc.

Things should not be changed without reason, and I think it would be 
illumination to have the reasoning explained along with the changes.

Mark

Christophersen, Paula P wrote:
> Mark, VCAA has not published its reasons for changing the course, and it 
> does not for any study. Do you have a specific query?
> 
>  
> 
> Regards
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au] 
> On Behalf Of Mark Kelly
> Sent: Tuesday, 21 February 2006 11:45 AM
> To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management 
> Teachers'Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Rationale behind the new study design
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks, Paula.  My only question is the original question :-)
> 
>  
> 
> Has the VCAA published its reasons for changing the course as it has done?
> 
>  
> 
> Mark
> 
>  
> 
> Christophersen, Paula P wrote:
> 
>>
> 
>>
> 
>>  Dear Mark and other interested colleagues
> 
>>
> 
>> 
> 
>>
> 
>>  All VCE studies follow the same process when undergoing reaccreditation.
> 
>>  Key steps in the process include:
> 
>>
> 
>>  ·          Establishment of review committee (all teachers have the
> 
>>  opportunity to submit an expression of interest to be on this committee)
> 
>>
> 
>>  ·          Consideration of the terms of reference, prepared by the
> 
>>  Board of VCAA
> 
>>
> 
>>  ·          Preparation of a benchmarking report that investigates
> 
>>  national and international practices and recommends areas for
> 
>>  consideration by the review committee
> 
>>
> 
>>  ·          Ongoing reaccreditation meetings to respond to the terms of
> 
>>  reference and to draft a study design, in accordance with the VCAA
> 
>>  Principles, Guidelines and Procedures for the Review of VCE studies (see
> 
>>  VCE Bulletin, Supplement 1, March 2003, No 186)
> 
>>
> 
>>  ·          Regular, formal reporting to internal VCAA committees (and
> 
>>  responding to queries raised by these)
> 
>>
> 
>>  ·          Consultation with teachers and other targeted stakeholders on
> 
>>  the draft study design (methods include online surveys, paper-based
> 
>>  surveys, focus group meetings)
> 
>>
> 
>>  ·          Review of draft study design by independent reviewers
> 
>>
> 
>>  ·          Refinement of study design, in light of feedback from
> 
>>  consultation and direction from internal committees
> 
>>
> 
>>  ·          Recommendation for accreditation from the VCAA board, and
> 
>>  accreditation granted from the Victorian Qualifications Authority.
> 
>>
> 
>> 
> 
>>
> 
>>  Typically this process takes 9 - 10 months.
> 
>>
> 
>> 
> 
>>
> 
>>  If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to ask.
> 
>>
> 
>> 
> 
>>
> 
>>  Regards, Paula
> 
>>
> 
>> 
> 
>>
> 
>>  -----Original Message-----
> 
>>  From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
> 
>>  On Behalf Of Mark Kelly
> 
>>  Sent: Tuesday, 21 February 2006 10:26 AM
> 
>>  To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
> 
>>  Teachers'Mailing List
> 
>>  Subject: [Year 12 IPM] Rationale behind the new study design
> 
>>
> 
>> 
> 
>>
> 
>>  Does anyone (even Paula, perhaps) know of any publication from the VCAA
> 
>>
> 
>>  that gives a concise justification for the way the new VCE IT (oops -
> 
>>
> 
>>  'ICT') study design has been put together?
> 
>>
> 
>> 
> 
>>
> 
>>  --
> 
>>
> 
>>  Mark Kelly
> 
> 
> Mark Kelly
> 


-- 
Mark Kelly
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