[Year 12 IT Apps] Unit 4 Outcome 1 Task 3

Tue Jun 5 22:43:33 EST 2007

Hi All,
There are heaps of tools that are relevant and useful and we have been 
using many of them for years. MS Word is particularly helpful.
Visualising thinking (VT) is NOT just thinking in pictures. It is 
putting your thoughts on paper or screen - it is an attempt to make your 
thoughts available to others but mainly to yourself. The research has 
shown that by putting thoughts on paper/screen people can think more 
effectively. Using a computer can be more effective than using paper 
because:
a. you can use color ( yes, I know you could use colored pencils but my 
students never have the colors they want!)
b. it is easy to erase and replace text/images (you can also redline an 
object to remove it and make space to insert a replacement object, 
leaving the first one there too, in case you want to revert to the 
earlier thought or as a record of your thought process)
c. it is easy to move objects around and try them out in new places eg 
if designing a network
d. it is easy to insert images (rather than drawing them if you're a 
lousy drawer)

Examples:
Analysing a problem - DFD, IPO chart, mind map/concept map, PMI, Given a 
scenario - highlight important factors about the system or problems in a 
different color
Designing a solution - storyboard, layout diagram, flow chart. network 
diagram.
Developing a solution - we visualise our thinking all the time in IT eg 
spreadsheets (What ifs... are excellent examples of visualising 
thinking), using the computer to create your solutions, making a web 
page (create a draft. If you don't like it, save it then create another 
one. Compare the two. Think about why you chose one over the other), 
databases (create a query; test; view the result;  edit it; view the result)
Testing - The trial and error method is a good example of VT. Run the 
solution - display or print the product (information). View it: 
alignment not right? change it and run the solution again. Compare the 
two outputs. Which is better? Make a decision.

If you want confirmation of what I've written check out the work of  
Prof. David Jonassen who has been working in this area for years.

BTW. I never use Inspiration. I find it too slow because my students 
spend too much time looking for nice images rather than thinking.  My 
students can create concept maps more quickly using Powerpoint or MS Paint.

Have fun,
Charmaine Taylor
Sunbury Downs College

WEIR Andrew wrote:

>Two that I am thinking of.
>
>Dia (open source) this allows all different types of graphical tools
>from flowcharts to mind maps. I already have this installed in our
>network image.
>And 
>Free Mind 
>
>Regards
>Andrew Weir
>VK3HFT
>Information Technology Coordinator
>Intranet Manager
>Thomas Carr College 
>35 Thomas Carr Drive 
>Tarneit
>3024
>Phone 97484 466
>Fax 9748 4388
>
>There is no place like 127.0.0.1
>Please consider the environment before printing this message.
>
>Disclaimer: This e-mail and any attachments may be confidential. You
>must not disclose or use the information in this e-mail if you are not
>the intended recipient. If you have received this e-mail in error,
>please notify Thomas Carr College on 03 9748 4466 immediately and delete
>the e-mail and all copies. Thomas Carr College does not guarantee that
>this e-mail is virus or error free. The attached files are provided and
>may 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. Any views expressed in this e-mail are the views of
>the individual sending the message, and do not necessarily reflect the
>views held by Thomas Carr College.
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
>[mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Mark Kelly
>Sent: Tuesday, 5 June 2007 8:14 AM
>To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Unit 4 Outcome 1 Task 3
>
>I've only come up with Inspiration too.
>
>Lesley Humphries wrote:
>  
>
>>While my girls are quietly working away on their Outcome 2 task, I've 
>>been trying to plan next semester. Has anyone thought about what 
>>software they will use for Task 3 -
>>
>>"...software tools to create an effective visual representation of all
>>    
>>
>
>  
>
>>the thinking strategies used to analyse the information problem, to 
>>design, develop and test the solution, and to design, develop and test
>>    
>>
>
>  
>
>>the user documentation. Comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness 
>>of these strategies is based on sound, appropriate criteria and is 
>>demonstrated in comprehensive annotations or modifications to the 
>>visual representation."
>>
>>All I can think of is Inspiration - would that be suitable? Other
>>    
>>
>ideas?
>  
>
>>Thanks, Lesley
>>___________________________________! ________________________ Ms 
>>Lesley Humphries Learning Technologies Co-ordinator Santa Maria 
>>College 50 Separation Street Northcote 3070
>>Ph: 9489 7644
>>___________________________________________________________
>>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 College
>>    
>>
>
>  
>
>>does not guarantee that this email is virus or error free. The 
>>attached files are provided and may 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 College 
>>_______________________________________________
>>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.au <http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au> -
>>    
>>
>
>  
>
>>Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and 
>>http://www.vitta.org.au <http://www.vitta.org.au> - VITTA Victorian 
>>Information Technology Teachers Association Inc
>>    
>>
>
>  
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.edulists.com.au/pipermail/itapps/attachments/20070605/3f5ba6d4/attachment.html