[Year 12 IT Apps] programming language..

Tue Jul 24 13:59:57 EST 2007

Since this thread is mainly year 11, I'm Xposting to the year 11 list. 
We should take the thread over there if discussion continues   :-)

Kent Beveridge wrote:
> Hey Mark, which language are you giving your crayons(err pupils I mean)? I have decided to use VB6 (its what I'm learning now BEFORE I try to teach them in about 4-5 weeks)...

I initially thought of Python, but ran out of energy and time so decided 
to use VB2005.  However, we had much trouble getting it to run on the 
network (odd .NET permission/trust problems) so rapidly reverted to VB6 
(which I know well and for which we have lots of resources.)

Some of my kids whined that VB6 was old and useless, but I found it 
interesting in a recent Australian Personal Computer mag that the author 
of the famous TweakUI wrote it in VB6 - even the new version for Vista!

> I'm doing the network outcome first, programming one second and the last, last! 

Yes, me too.  As long as an outcome is done in the correct semester, its 
order is usually irrelevant.

And yes, this year has been a tough one for staff and kids - especially 
in ITA.

> KB.
>  
> Kent Beveridge,
> I.T. co-ordinator
> St. Brigids Catholic Sec. College
> Horsham
> email.. kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au
>  
> Wishes and Eggs, one you make and one you break!  A bit like promises.....
>  
> "This email and any attachments may be confidential.  You must not disclose or use the information in this email if you are not the intended recipient.  If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately and delete the email and all copies.  The School does not guarantee that this email is virus or error free.  The attached files are provided and my only be used on the basis that the user assumes all responsibility for any loss, damage or consequence resulting directly or indirectly from the use of the attached files, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not.  The content and opinions in this email are not necessarily those of the School."
> 
> ________________________________
> 
> From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Mark Kelly
> Sent: Tue 7/24/2007 12:35 PM
> To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] prac v theory content....
> 
> 
> 
> I was dreading teaching programming to my year 11s (since many of them
> are not the sharpest crayons in the box) but they love it.
> 
> They stay heads down, tail up, helping each other, exchanging ideas, and
> staying on-topic in near-silence for a double period while I have a
> snooze up the front.
> 
> Go figure!
> 
> Kent Beveridge wrote:
>> Hi listers,
>> I just had a look at the list Mark created to do with spreadsheeting. I, personally, dont use (or see the need to use!) all of the above functions on the list and hence not only need to teach them but also learn them before I can teach them. Having just come back this year to VCE IT, and looking at the theory to get through, I would be interested to hear other's thoughts on the volume of work to teach at this level..
>> I feel that the amount of 'useable' prac to teach is over-rated and mostly impractical in the majority of cases and that the volume of theory combined with the SAC work makes for us really earning our $$$$'s. Dont know about you guys out there but I really feel it!
>> I sometimes wish I could just teach one thing and it didnt change every 6 months - a bit like maths!
>> Also..trying to teach programming to year 11's who havent got a clue as they think IT was the 'easy option' so chose it as a subject doesnt help! It feels a bit like throwing peanuts to monkeys and then finding out they dont like peanuts!
>> Lets see now...
>> this year I have..
>> taught myself VB6, JAVASCRIPT, HTML, GAMEMAKER,CHANGED JOBS, MOVED HOUSE TO THE COUNTRY, TRIED TO LEARN ADVANCED EXCEL, DOING POSTGRAD ONLINE STUDIES, DOING THE TA04 COURSE,,
>> JEEEZ, I need a holiday!
>>
>> Kent Beveridge,
>> I.T. co-ordinator
>> St. Brigids Catholic Sec. College
>> Horsham
>> email.. kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au
>>
>> Wishes and Eggs, one you make and one you break!  A bit like promises.....
>>
>> "This email and any attachments may be confidential.  You must not disclose or use the information in this email if you are not the intended recipient.  If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately and delete the email and all copies.  The School does not guarantee that this email is virus or error free.  The attached files are provided and my only be used on the basis that the user assumes all responsibility for any loss, damage or consequence resulting directly or indirectly from the use of the attached files, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not.  The content and opinions in this email are not necessarily those of the School."
>>
>> ________________________________
>>
>> From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Russell Edwards
>> Sent: Tue 7/24/2007 8:53 AM
>> To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management Teachers'MailingList
>> Subject: [Year 12 IT Apps] Re: [Year 12 IPM] Suggested spreadsheet functionsto teach for ITA U4O1
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 30/11/2006, at 9:16 PM, Mark Kelly wrote:
>>
>>> A free unofficial, personal guide about how much spreadsheeting kids
>>> need to know for ITA U4O1...
>>>
>>> Anything I've forgotten or screwed up?
>>>
>> Your list seems eminently sensible. It's probably also worth bearing
>> in mind the VCAA software functions list for spreadsheets:
>>
>> * lookup tables
>> * conditional formatting
>> * conditional statements
>> * cell protection
>> * graphs
>> * insert notes/comments
>> * macros
>> * relative and absolute cell references
>> * naming a range
>> * electronic validation
>> * sheet referencing
>> * formatting/layout.
>>
>> I take "layout" to be the link to stuff about formats and
>> conventions, interfaces, yadda yadda yadda....
>>
>> Russell
>>
>>
>>
>> Important - 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.
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>>
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> 
> --
> Mark Kelly
> Manager - Information Systems
> McKinnon Secondary College
> McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia
> Direct line / Voicemail: 8520 9085
> School Phone +613 8520 9000
> School Fax +613 95789253
> kel AT mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
> 
> Webmaster - http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au <http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au/> 
> IT Lecture notes: http://vceit.com <http://vceit.com/> 
> Moderator: IT Applications Mailing List
> 
> There are 10 kinds of people in the world: those who understand binary
> and those who don't.
> 
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.edulists.com.au <http://www.edulists.com.au/>  - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.auvce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
> http://www.vitta.org.au <http://www.vitta.org.au/>   - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.auvce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
> http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc

-- 
Mark Kelly
Manager - Information Systems
McKinnon Secondary College
McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia
Direct line: 8520 9085
School Phone +613 8520 9000
School Fax   +613 9578 9253
kel AT mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au

Webmaster - http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
IT Lecture notes: http://vceit.com
Moderator: ITA Mailing List

"My mother used to say to me,
'In this world you must be O so smart or O so pleasant.'
I recommend pleasant.  You may quote me."  Harvey, 1950.