[Year 12 Its] RE: IPM 2006 Study Design

Wed Apr 6 15:30:10 EST 2005

Thanks Paula for the invitation to contribute.  It is great when these offers come so frequently and openly (if only DE&T worked
that way !!!)

I think that the key problems arise from 
* students
   -  overwhelmingly want practical skills and knowledge that they can use in their current or future work (whether it is
specifically vocational or just useful in the repertoire).
   -  (reluctantly) accept that they have to learn "theory" because
       - - it puts the practical skills & knowledge in context and
       - - thus makes it more understandable and transferable

* VCAA
    - needs theory so that it can continue to argue for intellectual equity and rigor among studies
    - has reduced space for practical skills and knowledge to make room for theory
    - has removed specific practical skills and knowledge because it has given these to VET and TAFE and does not want duplication

* teachers
  - want to deliver all theory within a practical context so they want space to develop skill that allow complex theory to be
experienced.  This takes time and so the amount of theory covered is in inverse proportion to the amount of practical work (some
ivory tower dwellers will always argue that any good teacher can deliver everything simultaneously !)
  - want to be able to offer specific courses that meet student needs or be able to change a generic course to meet those needs.
  - want to deliver the nest study score they can

* unis
 - don't want students to think they have already "done" something which needs to be studied in depth at university
 - IT is such a chaotic and changeable creature that the more specific the skills, the less predictable is their utility.
 - Thus, unis want students with the highest "general purpose" skills development - (1) reading (2) comprehension (3) composition
(4) clear & logical thinking (5) persistence and self-discipline.  They are far less interested in specific prepatory skills unless
they are "tailored".

Thus, I support:
Year 11:
General course structure focused on applications of "application software" e.g. 2 a semester and 3 over the year (including options
for application environments that support programming).  Application types specified with associated skill/ knowledge lists to
ensure standards are comparable.  Assessment task library collected from practicing teachers, vetted for standards and made
available on line as recommended standards guide and curriculum support.  Students who wish to focus on system design would likely
choose a programming support application for the whole year.

Year 12 Systems: changed to de-emphasis general theory unrelated to the capacity of the course to offer related skills and
experience.  Focus on software development (programming) with specific assessment questions related to each allowed language, as
well as generic questions re. programming.  Secondary focus on hardware with options available e.g. WiFi systems, network systems,
personal computer systems.  Each with specific assessable content description (differences and overlap).  Idea being to encourage
depth c whatever the school can provide practically to play with.  Main improvement - more programming time and focus; less general
theory of which students are unlikely to have any possibility of direct experience; more specific hardware focus so that schools are
encouraged to provide hands on; more of the course specifically assessable at end of year exam via optional sections.

Year 12 IPM:  Changed to de-emphasis general theory unrelated to the capacity of the course to offer related skills and experience.
Focus on software applications at high standard. Approved software types and "brands" c associated specific examinable skills &
knowledge (not possible if only vague software "types" are specified).  2 applications all year.  Students encouraged to complete
portfolio tasks of increasing complexity as in a job  e.g. MS Access - flat file DB, related DB c standard reports, customised data
structure and outputs, customised features requiring macros, linked tables; improve existing design (disassemble, reassemble);
complete DB based on output document samples etc.  Main improvement - more application use time and focus; less general theory of
which students are unlikely to have any possibility of direct experience; more specific software focus so that schools are
encouraged to provide hands on; more of the course specifically assessable at end of year exam via optional sections.

Just some holiday thoughts......

==================================
Stephen Digby, Learning Technology Manager
digby.stephen.p at edumail.vic.gov.au
Cheltenham Secondary College
www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au <http://www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au/> 
Ph: 613 955 55 955  Fx: 9555 8617
==================================

  _____  

From: Maiser at novell2.fhc.vic.edu.au [mailto:Maiser at novell2.fhc.vic.edu.au] On Behalf Of Christophersen, Paula P
Sent: Thursday, 24 March 2005 11:44 AM
To: IS List
Subject: RE: IPM 2006 Study Design

The VCE IT study design is accredited until the end of 2006, so it's business as usual until the commencement of 2007. A
reaccredited study design will be available in schools in early 2006. This is in line with the VCAA's policy of providing schools
with a year's notice of its reaccredited study designs.

I'm not certain if I should be asking this question, but here goes!! If anyone has some opinions on the suitability of the current
6-unit structure of VCE IT, please share them.  Many of you expressed your opinions in the online survey last year, and these have
been taken into account. The committee reviewing the study is considering the viability of some other study structures. Some
possibilities include:

*    two studies of 4 units each

*    one study only of 4 units

*    a couple of 'stand-alone' units at units 1 and 2 that have a clear focus/context rather than just Info Tech 1 and Info Tech 2;
and then the IPM and IS-type structure at units 3 and 4

*    the current offering (6 unit structure)

*    the current offering, but with an option within units 3 and 4

*    ...?   

I'm happy for people to send their comments directly to me, if that is their choice. Alternatively, an open discussion may result in
other options being proposed. Looking forward to reading your comments!

Regards

Paula Christophersen

ICT Curriculum Manager

VCAA

41 St Andrews Place

EAST MELBOURNE 3002

(03) 9651 4378

-----Original Message-----
From: Maiser at novell2.fhc.vic.edu.au [mailto:Maiser at novell2.fhc.vic.edu.au] On Behalf Of Philip Brown
Sent: Thursday, 24 March 2005 9:33 AM
To: IPM List
Subject: IPM 2006 Study Design

Has anybody any idea where next years study design for IPM is at? Is there a web site or discussion forum which is discussing the
developments or proposed changes? 

P. Brown
Oxley College
9727 9917

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