[Year 12 IT Apps] Abracadabra! The magical disappearing task.

Mon Nov 1 15:48:54 EST 2010

I see your point, Paula, but the main distinction between the old and new
tasks (in terms of workload) seems to be the removal of the annotations,
which was never onerous anyway. Still, it's a step in the right direction.

I do appreciate the moves towards developing depth of knowledge rather than
skating over the surface to get everything out of the way in time (as we do
now.)  Removing project management was sensible; while it was (dare I say
it?) *fun*, it wasn't our *core* business.  (My kids always perked up when
we had PERT problems. Dunno why...)

The focus on depth is long overdue, and a satisfying return to the days of
CATs when true depth was attainable.

The choice of spreadsheets/databases is also warmly welcomed.  The chance to
exercise some choice never goes astray.

---

Eight days left until the exam!  I really, *really* hope it's the best one
ever. Please Santa.  That's *all* I want this year.

On 1 November 2010 15:07, Christophersen, Paula P <
christophersen.paula.p at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:

>  Hi Mark
>
>
>
> I would like to clarify some points regarding workload for U4O1. In essence
> the current outcome requires students to:
>
> ·          Create a solution, including an evaluation of the solution
> (annotations)
>
> ·          Prepare user documentation
>
> ·          Prepare a visual representation of decisions/actions.
>
>
>
> This is demonstrated through three tasks.
>
>
>
>
>
> In essence the 2011 outcome requires students to:
>
> ·          Create a solution, including user documentation
>
> ·          Evaluate the solution (report or annotations).
>
>
>
> This is demonstrated through two tasks. By all accounts this is a reduction
> in workload.
>
>
>
> Also, if selected by the teacher, students do not have to acquire knowledge
> and skills related to a new software tool (spreadsheets). The choice is
> either to extend knowledge and skills of an RDBMS or take up spreadsheets.
>
>
>
> It was never ‘sleight of hand’  –  this is a genuine effort to focus on
> depth rather than breadth, and reduce workload.
>
>
>
> Regards
>
> Paula
>
>
>
>
>
> Paula Christophersen
>
> ICT Curriculum Manager
>
> VCAA
>
> 41 St Andrews Place
>
> EAST MELBOURNE 3002
>
> (03) 9651 4378
>   ------------------------------
>
> *From:* itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:
> itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Mann, Warrick D
> *Sent:* Monday, 1 November 2010 9:19 AM
>
> *To:* Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
> *Subject:* Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Abracadabra! The magical disappearing
> task.
>
>
>
> Hi Mark I agree,
>
>
>
> But at least Students only have 2 tasks to get an “S” in, instead of three.
>
>
>
> But, yes, same sh*t different day.
>
>
>
> Cheers
>
> Warrick
>
>
>
> *From:* itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:
> itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Mark KELLY
> *Sent:* Sunday, 31 October 2010 12:33 PM
> *To:* Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
> *Subject:* [Year 12 IT Apps] Abracadabra! The magical disappearing task.
>
>
>
> Hi all.  One of the stated improvements of the new ITA U4O1 next year is
> that it only has 2 tasks instead of 3.
>
> It's seems magical - but it's only sleight of hand.
>
> This year there are 3 tasks:
>
> 1. software solution (35 marks)
> 2. user documentation (15)
> 3. visualising of thinking. (10)
>
> Next year there are 2 tasks:
>
> 1. software solution INCLUDING USER DOCUMENTATION (50 marks - Hey presto:
> 35 plus 15!)
> 2. Evaluation (10)
>
> Still 3 tasks. Same amount of work.  It's just the packaging has changed,
> and VCAA has added "NEW! IMPROVED!" to the package.
>
> I'm annoyed that it's taken me so long to see that the rabbit was in the
> hat the whole time...  :-[
>
> --
> Mark Kelly
> Manager Information Systems
> Reporting Manager
> IT Learning Area Manager
>
> McKinnon Secondary College
> McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204
> Victoria, Australia
> Direct line / Voicemail: +613 8520 9085
> Fax +613 9578 9253
> kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
>
> VCE IT Lecture Notes: http://vceit.com
> Moderator: IT Applications Edulist
>
> For no reason, my friend became a square, flat surface with four legs. I
> rushed him to hospital. His condition is table.
>
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-- 
Mark Kelly
Manager Information Systems
Reporting Manager
IT Learning Area Manager

McKinnon Secondary College
McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204
Victoria, Australia
Direct line / Voicemail: +613 8520 9085
Fax +613 9578 9253
kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au

VCE IT Lecture Notes: http://vceit.com
Moderator: IT Applications Edulist

For no reason, my friend became a square, flat surface with four legs. I
rushed him to hospital. His condition is table.
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