[Year 12 IT Apps] FileMaker Pro

Sun Aug 9 14:41:50 EST 2009

Well put Mark,

Say all, I am interested in learning more about FileMaker Pro
following my trip to the NECC with the ACEC08 study tour (again thank
you VITTA and Westall SC :-). I have a suspicion that others might be
thinking along the same line. Is anybody planning a workshop or can
point me towards some good online resources?

Regards Roland

2009/8/9 Mark Kelly <kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au>:
> VCAA cannot prescribe software used in outcomes.  If they DO decide to do
> so, they must publish the prescribed software as they do with Software
> Development's approved programming languages.
>
> They MUST accept any answer that is correct for ANY available software
> product: spreadsheet, DBMS, web editor etc.
>
> They MUST NOT ask questions that are specific to any one of the available
> varieties of software products (e.g. Access, Excel), including the esoteric
> terminology used by them.
>
> They'd better not ask another Access-specific question this year.  The very
> mention of "queries" or "reports" is too brand-specific.  It seriously
> disadvantages Filemaker Pro users, for example.
>
> It worries me how they assume a particular family or brand of software is
> "standard" and merrily ask questions assuming that EVERYONE uses that family
> or brand.
>
> It's wrong and must stop.
>
> I feel better now.
>
> Kent Beveridge wrote:
>>
>> If I may, an observation...
>> Personally, I am a "majority Microsoft" product user, not by desire but
>> just essentially as that is what my employers (the various schools of my
>> teaching time..) have had available to use for my I.T. classroom ramblings.
>> Surely the VCAA can be flexible enough to allow the examiners to mark as
>> 'correct' the essentials of formulae presented to them by students. What I
>> mean is, what if the students have NEVER used Microsoft or APPLE products?
>> Surely they shouldnt be penalised when in fact their solution would work on
>> their "flavor" of application software (eg open source spreadsheet or other
>> market available alternative).
>> If we are to produce flexible and thinking students for employers then we
>> must allow them to provide solutions appropriate to their working
>> environments.
>> Case in point: Applications developers in the commercial workforce may use
>> a program that is nothing like Microsoft and yet will do the same job most
>> efficiently on the mainframe in the workplace. I ask you VCAA...how many
>> schools out there have a mainframe costing millions of bucks that runs the
>> exact same formats and conventions of Microsoft on all their applications?
>> Lets get real here with our exam expectations on the students and allow them
>> some flexibility with their answers!
>>   Kent.
>>  Kent Beveridge,
>> St. Brigids CSC, Horsham.
>> Ph (03) 5382 3545
>> http://www.stbc.vic.edu.au/
>> kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au
>> "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 Roland Gesthuizen
>> Sent: Sat 8/8/2009 2:02 PM
>> To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Examination reports
>>
>>
>>
>> Yes, it isnt so much as they came up with something different or that
>> they have invented a new standard. There is an open standards group
>> that is trying to improve the exchange of recalculated formulas in
>> spreadsheets and I suspect that is what they have used. Google Docs
>> uses this format too. Let me check. Yep .. works with double quotes.
>>
>> Curious I did not directly spot this before as I jump across between
>> XLS, ODC and GoogleDocs. Shows how plastic our minds are to these
>> subtle changes. I guess when it flags an error, I just thump my
>> forehead to shake a neuron loose and amend the formula with either
>> single or double quotes. REM hmmm
>>
>> Regards Roland
>>
>> 2009/8/7 Robert <robert at yinnar.com>:
>>>
>>> And I have just checked Open Office. Different again.
>>>
>>> Requires semicolons rather than commas as separators between items, eg
>>>
>>> =IF(C2>40;"yes";"no")
>>>
>>> ?
>>>
>>>
>>> Robert Hind (Semi-retired)
>>> Ashwood and Traralgon
>>> robert at yinnar.com
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert" <robert at yinnar.com>
>>> To: <itapps at edulists.com.au>
>>> Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 3:50 PM
>>> Subject: Fw: [Year 12 IT Apps] Examination reports
>>>
>>>
>>>> Whoops! I missed out one (double straight) quote :-)
>>>>
>>>> Should have read:
>>>>
>>>> And can I add to Mark's message by noting that Excel does not like
>>>> "smart
>>>> quotes", or curly quotes but only straight quotes, ie
>>>>
>>>> =IF(C2>40,"YES"," ")
>>>>
>>>> Robert Hind (Semi-retired)
>>>> Ashwood and Traralgon
>>>> robert at yinnar.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert" <robert at yinnar.com>
>>>> To: "Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List"
>>>> <itapps at edulists.com.au>
>>>> Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 3:33 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Examination reports
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> And can I add to Mark's message by noting that Excel does not like
>>>>> "smart
>>>>> quotes", or curly quotes but only straight quotes, ie
>>>>>
>>>>> =IF(C2>40,"YES," ")
>>>>>
>>>>> Pedantic? Yes! But Excel, and other apps, will only accept exactly what
>>>>> they have been programmed to expect.
>>>>>
>>>>> Robert Hind (Semi-retired)
>>>>> Ashwood and Traralgon
>>>>> robert at yinnar.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Kelly"
>>>>> <kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au>
>>>>> To: "Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List"
>>>>> <itapps at edulists.com.au>
>>>>> Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 1:26 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Examination reports
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Examiners' report, ITA Q12b:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Quote
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Few students could correctly write the formula for the IF statement
>>>>>> =IF(C2>40, 'YES',' ').
>>>>>>
>>>>>> End Quote
>>>>>>
>>>>>> And fewer examiners could either, apparently:  double quotes rather
>>>>>> than
>>>>>> single quotes are needed (at least in Excel, which is the undeclared
>>>>>> standard for all spreadsheet questions in the exam).
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It does bug me when a commentary on what is correct and what is not
>>>>>> gets
>>>>>> it wrong.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Christophersen, Paula P wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Dear colleagues
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>  In case you are not aware, the examination reports for the 2008
>>>>>>> exams
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>> IT apps and Software development are available at the following
>>>>>>> addresses.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/it-applications/exams.ht
>>>>>>> ml#H2N10037
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/softwaredevel/exams.html
>>>>>>> #H2N10037
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>  Regards
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Paula
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>  Paula Christophersen
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ICT Curriculum Manager
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> VCAA
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 41 St Andrews Place
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> EAST MELBOURNE 3002
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> (03) 9651 4378
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>  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 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
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Why do people mis-spell 'grammar' and mispronounce 'pronuniciation'?
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> 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/vce/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 <http://www.edulists.com.au/>  - FAQ,
>>>>> resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
>>>>> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
>>>>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/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 <http://www.edulists.com.au/>  - FAQ,
>>>> resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
>>>> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
>>>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/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 <http://www.edulists.com.au/>  - FAQ,
>>> resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
>>> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
>>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/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
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College
>> http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au <http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au/>
>> "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
>> change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has."
>> --Margaret Mead
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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/vce/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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> This message has been scanned for malware by Websense. www.websense.com
>> _______________________________________________
>> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
>> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/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
>
> Some days you're the pigeon.  Some days you're the statue.
>
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html -
> Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
> http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers
> Association Inc
>

-- 
Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College
http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has."
--Margaret Mead