[Year 12 IT Apps] IT Apps study design

Sun Mar 28 20:51:01 EST 2010

Hi Folks,

It is great advice you give Mark when a controversial email is about to be sent to just let it sit and gather some dust before actually posting. I know I have regretted certain emails I have written in the past and have tried to correct them to no avail. One in particular caused the accused to be further isolated off line by those who chose one side and continued the attack. When I apologised for the original post and asked the accused to come back - they had chosen to leave the lists upon my not so subtle advice .... - I was asked to take up the fight against those who had continued the attack off line. So messy , so unfortunate, so unnecessary. I wish I could turn back the clock ... but alas. 

On a more general point, it is of concern to me that we simply don't get enough of our lurkers to join in our discussions. Latest census shows 471 itapps subscribers.  Could it be that they know it all and don't need to ask anything ? Or more ominously could it be that they are afraid they might be shot down if they make a comment ? Anecdotally, I do hear that some feel their work may not be up to the standard they think is on these discussions and hence do not join in. 

I am working on acquiring sponsorship to recognise contributions and participation on these lists (  I did think the support and professional satisfaction was enough but maybe not,  for many ). 
I am looking at a 1st , 2nd and 3rd placement for volume of contributions and support of others over a school year along the lines of a substantial gift for those who help others - a laptop, a powerful mobile device, etc are my preferences.

While I work on the sponsorship front, I want to congratulate Roland, Adrian, Robert, Mark and others for their professional handling of this thread. As Roland said we couldn't see the body language when he was typing and as Adrian mentioned, it took a long, long time to bring together this Study Design that was not so visible to many and the steering committee was of the view every opportunity was afforded for input.  The solution to all our woes lies in open honest communication.

Ahhh, first Sunday of our holidays , and we are here working and fighting for the cause. It that a form of the Stockholm/Helsinki syndrome in action  ??

Sending this after waiting the requisite 60 mins in the Drafts folder following Mark's wise words. 

Warm Regards

Kevork Krozian
kevork at edulists.com.au
www.edulists.com.au
Tel: 0419 356 034
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Roland Gesthuizen 
  To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List 
  Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2010 6:23 PM
  Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] IT Apps study design

  Adrian and I get on well off-list so this is nothing personal. I apologize if I have offended anybody with a cavalier quip that I'll admit was casually tacked onto my post without thinking. I'll admit exhaustion and complacency, regretting that I ever hinted an ability to do the interim school reports. It has been good to see this list gain some fire and traction again. 

  Robert does raise an interesting point that we need to be careful with what voice we speak with, especially from our signature tags. I don't think that Adrian was writing on behalf of VITTA as President and I wasn't writing on behalf of my school. He is quite justified to defend the study design team reputation. I guess for this reason, I have been adding a disclaimer to the bottom of my messages so that I am not giving undue authority to my words or posts. 

  Regards Roland

  Disclaimer: The views in this e-mail are entirely my own. I'll shout a beverage with anybody that meets up with me next week at the national conference and indicates they are from the study design team. :-)

  On 28 March 2010 16:34, Janson, Adrian A <janson.adrian.a at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:

    Hi Robert and others,

    Robert - you raise a good point - my language was a little strong and for that I do apologise (and also would have been better off-list).  I want to categorically state that feedback and discussion is very important and I (personally) want to encourage that as much as I possibly can.  Discussion of the study design only furthers all of our understanding of it.

    It's just that it frustrates me when comments like this are made off the cuff without the right basis.  I also think that discussion should be phrased in the right way - positively - rather than negatively.  That is, 'I notice that cloud computing is in the study but I am not sure what the context is?  Can someone clarify this for me?'.  This would be a fair way to start the discussion rather than saying that there is an omission and implying that no research was done into the topic.  I think that there are some dangers in taking summary documents (such as the one that Mark Kelly has created) and using these are a basis for understanding of the study.  The study needs to be read in the context of the key knowledge and key skills - Mark's summary is a great tool and should serve as a start only.

    I think I am a little sensitive to this knowing how much work has gone into the study and the efforts that VCAA have gone to to involve everyone in the process.  The study design is really looking exciting - I can't wait to teach it!

    Cheers,
    Adrian

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  -- 
  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
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