[Year 12 IT Apps] IT Glossary, part 2

Wed Aug 19 16:11:50 EST 2009

Hi Mark (and others)... I am slowly working my way through the massive
number of emails in my inbox that all have sent today about the study
design, so apologies if this has already been brought up!

Given the problems that the glossary has - do we really need a glossary?  We
have had this discussion on the panel on more than a few occasions - and as
many of you know - there are hardly any studies that have a glossary at all.
VCAA wanted us to eliminate it altogether.  

In that sense - I totally agree.  We are all professionals and there should
be no reason why the study design needs to spell out the definitions of key
terms right?  However, we also all know that the breadth of our study is
extensive and that the goal posts keep shifting.  The glossary serves then
to ensure that we are all on the same page - especially in regards to our
understanding leading into the exam (and in preparing SACs).  The glossary
has been cut back - but contains only those terms that need to be defined
for this purpose.  It may be that others can suggest changes to these terms
or perhaps some should come out in favor of others?

Cheers,
Adrian Janson
VITTA President

-----Original Message-----
From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au]
On Behalf Of Mark Kelly
Sent: Wednesday, 19 August 2009 11:42 AM
To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] IT Glossary, part 2

Considering how punctilious the ITA exam is regarding the accurate 
interpretation of terms, I see a detailed glossary as essential for the 
IT design.

We have already seen many fruity and heated discussions/arguments about 
the definitions of terms used in the study design and exams, and having 
a token glossary will only inflame those arguments.

I believe that if an exam question is going to test specific 
understanding of a term, that term must be officially defined in the 
study design.  Otherwise, the exam markers will be forced to accept ANY 
student's interpretation of a term.

Simple example: if "information system" is not defined in the glossary 
and an exam questions asks a student to recommend an appropriate 
information system (or a key knowledge dot point refers to the term) 
then it's up to the student to define the term as he or she pleases - 
e.g. only including hardware and not people, procedures, data or software.

IT might be the exception with regards to the detail required in its 
glossary, but if it needs a glossary it should get one.  Having a 
standard "15 terms only" rule is (frankly) aiming to achieve suffocating 
standardisation to make petty bureaucrats feel warm and cosy.  What 
possible benefit would that have to students and teachers?

Rage, rage against the dying of the glossary!

More to come.  Must settle down first  :-)

Christophersen, Paula P wrote:
> 
> Oops - accidently hit the 'send' button! The VCE Review Panel has been
directed to restrict the number of terms in the glossary to about 15. We
would welcome not only your comments about the existing terms (their
inclusion as well as their definition), but are there any other terms that
you think should be included.
> 
> Regards
> Paula
> 
> ________________________________
> 
> From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Mark Kelly
> Sent: Wed 19/08/2009 10:30 AM
> To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: [Year 12 IT Apps] IT Glossary, part 2
> 
> 
> 
> The definition of 'Legal Obligations' refers to "Information Privacy Act
>   200"
> 
> That was 85 years before Diocletian became Emperor of Rome, and I doubt
> the IPA was much on the Roman Senate's mind at the time.  :-)
> 
> But seriously folks, the glossary in the draft study design is far less
> detailed than the current one.  Is this how it will be published?
> 
> Aren't we even going to see the famous 56 bps modem?
> 
> 
> --
> 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'?
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Association Inc

-- 
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 9578 9253
kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au

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

RealMenDon'tNeedSpacebars.

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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
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Association Inc

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.