[Year 12 IT Apps] and here's another one....

Thu Sep 18 11:22:09 EST 2008

That was a very clear exposition Mark and thanks for that. If teachers have
problems distinguishing some of these concepts ... but I think we've been
there before and the answer is to read the study design more closely.  

My problem with the examiner's "correct" answer to 16 is that I believe
language and its correct and appropriate use is, and must be, of prime
importance in the production of any useable software product. I am utterly
pedantic on this point. A web site containing "childish" colour and
animations might be as appealing to Nonna as to little Sofia, but
polysyllabic language littered with subordinate clauses will lose the child
more quickly than its parent.

Laurie

-----Original Message-----
From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au]
On Behalf Of Mark Kelly
Sent: Thursday, 18 September 2008 10:27 AM
To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] and here's another one....

Warning: Slightly pedantic but rather important discussion follows...

">> 16. When designing an information product, the age of a target audience
is most likely to impact on the (selection of a software tool)"

Be careful to distinguish "information product" from "software tool"  - they
are very different.

The software tool (e.g. Access database) is used by a developer to create an
information product (e.g. a database of your music collection). The target
audience uses the information product, not the software tool.

(I acknowledge that in some cases the information product needs the original
tool to be run - e.g. unless you compile your Filemaker music collection
database into a stand-alone executable, you need Filemaker to load the music
database you created.)

So the question really means, how could the age of the target audience
affect the choice of the SOFTWARE TOOL (e.g. Filemaker) used to create the
required INFORMATION PRODUCT (the music database).

Or, how could their age make you choose Visual Basic to create a game for
one group, while using C++ for another group?  In this case they don't use
either tool - they get the game you created (the information product).

The question is not asking about the choice of what software the AUDIENCE
would use: they are using an information product created by the tool that is
supposedly chosen according to their age, which doesn't really make sense
most of the time.  That's why I asked you for an example.

In brief, the audience's age certainly affects the nature of the information
product, but not the software tool used to create it.

(phew)

Kent Beveridge wrote:
> Easy one Mark...Computer Games are more likely to be used in larger
numbers by the 12-30yrs age group. (not from official stats). Computer
programming languages is a tricky one though depending on skill and
education(and interest). Email is generally dominated by younger persons but
this is just due to their communication methods.
> Sound reasonable??
> KB.
>  
> Kent Beveridge,
> I.T. co-ordinator
> St. Brigids Catholic Sec. College
> Horsham
> email.. kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au
>  
> |<3|\|7  b3\/3r1D93 ?  ;-)
> 
> PARTY..PARTEE,..PARTIE,...PARTAY!!
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> 
> ________________________________
> 
> From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Mark Kelly
> Sent: Wed 9/17/2008 12:36 PM
> To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] and here's another one....
> 
> 
> 
> Can you give an example of how the audience's age could affect the 
> choice of the software tool used?
> 
> Kent Beveridge wrote:
>> Janet, I reckon the age impacts on ALL of them!  Horses for courses!! But
option E)..All of the above, is not a choice.
>> KB.
>>
>> Kent Beveridge,
>> I.T. co-ordinator
>> St. Brigids Catholic Sec. College
>> Horsham
>> email.. kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au
>>
>> |<3|\|7  b3\/3r1D93 ?  ;-)
>>
>> PARTY..PARTEE,..PARTIE,...PARTAY!!
>> "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 Bane, Janet A
>> Sent: Tue 9/16/2008 3:48 PM
>> To: ITA List
>> Subject: [Year 12 IT Apps] and here's another one....
>>
>>
>> another one for you to ponder
>>
>> 16. When designing an information product, the age of a target 
>> audience is most likely to
>>
>> impact on the
>>
>> a. Colour and animation
>>
>> b. Complexity of language
>>
>> c. Navigation structure
>>
>> d. Selection of software tool
>>
>> The answer given is A, but I think B is valid as well.  Comments
anyone????
>>
>>
>> Janet Bane
>> Patterson River SC
>>
>> 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
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our liability is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any
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and not necessarily those of the Department of Education and Early Childhood
Development.
>>

> --
> Mark Kelly
> Manager - Information Systems
> McKinnon Secondary College
> kel AT mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
> McKinnon Rd, McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia Direct line / 
> Voicemail: 8520 9085 Fax +613 9578 9253
> 
> 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
> 
> I worship the ground you walk on, because I like grounds.  You, I'm 
> not so keen on.
> 

--
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 IT Lecture notes:
http://vceit.com
Moderator: IT Applications Mailing List

A conclusion is the place where you got sick of thinking.

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