[Year 12 IT Apps] Unit 4 2011: RDBMS Part 2 or Spreadsheets

Thu Nov 11 16:24:30 EST 2010

I agree about the relative 'ease' of writing a generic type question
that can be answered from either a DB or SS perspective.  

Just on the matter of choices, next year there will be a requirement to
indicate the programming language to be studied for Software development
when informing VASS of subjects being offered at a school. This is OK
for SD as the same language is studied for the year. While it would be
great to get the same type of data about SS and DB use, I think that
schools should not have to make a decision at the beginning of a year
about the tool to be selected in Unit 4. Through the audit process we
will be gathering this data, but not through VASS.

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 Mark KELLY
Sent: Thursday, 11 November 2010 3:39 PM
To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Unit 4 2011: RDBMS Part 2 or Spreadsheets

Hi all. 

Spreadsheets and databases have a lot of common content, to the point of
having identical formulas at times. 

I've just finished writing a couple of practice exams for next year, and
a question that could be answered with either spreadsheet or database
knowledge was easier than I thought it would be to write.

I'll be doing spreadsheets and databases as well as everyone else seems
to be. While it's true that after skilling up for U3O2 it's not hard to
learn a few more skills for databases again in U4O1, I think it's more
of an issue of kids' attitudes.  

They dislike databases; really dislike databases. They really like
spreadsheets. Their marks this year in my class confirm that they put
far less energy and care into the database task.  

Many of them felt down after U3O1.  Switching to Excel for U4O1 was a
clean slate for them mentally and they tackled it with renewed vigour.
They really pulled out all the stops for Excel and lifted their marks
considerably.  

The prospect of doing two depressing database tasks in a row would not
make them happy munchkins next year.  

Most kids have had quite a bit of Excel experience upon entry to ITA, so
training is not a big hurdle.  And, as I mentioned above, the
similarities of the SS/dB content makes the transition to spreadsheets
pretty easy, leveraging existing dB skills.

Sorry for rambling.  Just finished marking year 11 IT exams and time now
seems plentiful  ;-)

Regards
Mark

On 11 November 2010 14:37, Christophersen, Paula P
<christophersen.paula.p at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:

Dear Paul and colleagues

In the examinations, two possible scenarios will exist regarding
questions about spreadsheets and RDBMS. These are:

*          Questions focusing exclusively on RDBMS as stipulated in Unit
3, as all students will have studied this. The designated software
functions for this tool are stated in the July 2010 VCE Bulletin. This
means that multiple choice questions and short and extended-type
questions can be asked on RDBMS at the unit 3 level.

*          Questions that allow students to answer from either a
spreadsheet or RDBMS perspective. In this instance questions must relate
to the KK and KS of Unit 4, area of study 1. Typically in this situation
there could be a general question to which students indicate whether
they are going to respond from a spreadsheet of a RDBMS perspective OR
there will be a Part a. and a Part b. and students select one of them.
The software functions for SS and the functions for Unit 4 of RDBMS are
both listed in the July 2010 Bulletin. If a RDBMS is being studied in
both Units 3 and 4, then teachers must be aware of the different
software expectations in each unit.

No 'standalone' spreadsheet questions can be asked - as it is in
accordance with the choice aspect of Area of Study 1, Unit 4. 

In Term 1 next year, a series of sample questions will be posted on the
VCAA website which will illustrate these different scenarios.

Regards

Paula

Paula Christophersen

ICT Curriculum Manager

VCAA

41 St Andrews Place

EAST MELBOURNE 3002

(03) 9651 4378

-----Original Message-----
From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Paul Golub
Sent: Thursday, 11 November 2010 1:47 PM
To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List

Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Unit 4 2011: RDBMS Part 2 or Spreadsheets

I was thinking of doing both as well. That way they can learn
spreadhseets as well.

Lets say I didn't do spreadsheets, both were databases. What happens in
the exam? Can they ask spreadsheets questions?

Paul Golub

Santa Maria College

50 Separation Street

Northcote 3070

Ph: 9488 1674

-----Original message-----

From: "Litsa Tzelepis" htzelepis at msj.vic.edu.au

Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:28:06 +1100

To: "Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List"
itapps at edulists.com.au

Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Unit 4 2011: RDBMS Part 2 or Spreadsheets

I agree - I'll be doing the same, besides its a good balance.

  ----- Original Message ----- 

  From: Elliot, Mitchell E 

  To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List 

  Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 10:14 AM

  Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Unit 4 2011: RDBMS Part 2 or
Spreadsheets

  I was thinking of doing the same, Database unit 3 and spreadsheets
unit 4 mostly in case they can put both on the exam.

  Mitch Elliot | Buckley Park College | Cooper St, Essendon 3040 | (03)
9331 9999 | elliot.mitchell.e at edumail.vic.gov.au

  From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Jackson Bates

  Sent: Thursday, 11 November 2010 9:59 AM

  To: 'itapps at edulists.com.au'

  Subject: [Year 12 IT Apps] Unit 4 2011: RDBMS Part 2 or Spreadsheets

  Hi All,

  Just out of curiosity, what are you all doing for unit 4: Databases or
spreadsheets? And what is your rationale for this?

  --

  A reminder from VCAA about the functions to be demonstrated in both:

  (taken from
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vcaa/correspondence/bulletins/2010/July/vce_s
tudy.html#2)

  Relational database management system 

  The following functions apply to Unit 3:

  .create tables

  .create relationships between tables

  .use a range of data types

  .electronic validation

  .create, edit and use queries

  .use of calculated fields

  .sort records or index on different fields.

  If students use a relational database management system in Unit 4, the
following additional functions apply:

  .import/export of data

  .format data for display

  .create and edit a range of forms, including different data types and
controls

  .create and edit a range of formatted reports.

  Spreadsheets 

  .conditional formatting

  .formulae including simple functions (SUM, average, maximum, minimum,
count), conditional statements and lookup tables

  .cell protection

  .graphs

  .insert notes/comments

  .macros

  .relative and absolute cell references

  .naming a range

  .electronic validation

  .sheet referencing

  .formatting/layout

  --

  FWIW I'll probably run with spreadsheets, just for the sake of
building wider usable skills, but I'm open to ideas.

  On a side note, I assume only the database knowledge from unit 3 can
be on the exam, since there is no way for the exam to differentiate
between those students that have done Databases Unit 4 or Spreadsheets.
Does my thinking seem sound on that?

  Regards,

  Jackson Bates

  VCE IT Applications

  Waverley Christian College

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