[Year 12 IT Apps] Sample exam questionsandentity-relationship diagrams

Fri Apr 1 18:14:19 EST 2011

Hi Tim,

"Decoding the definitions for consumption by students is of course another matter"

We do need a relatively simple decoding, that is of course VCAA approved. 

"the mathematical/academic gobbledy-gook" in many of the various definitions of NF1-3 is a problem for us as teachers and for the students.

The most annoying thing is that if you design a RDBS correctly from the start you don't need NF1-3 because the design takes care of all that.

Robert Hind (Semi-retired) OOF, GOM
and Access Database Designer
Ashwood and Traralgon
robert at yinnar.com

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Timmer-Arends 
  To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List 
  Sent: Friday, April 01, 2011 5:08 PM
  Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Sample exam questionsandentity-relationship diagrams

  Hello Mark

  I'm curious to know what these conflicting sources are.

  I've followed Robert H's link and the page one gets to doesn't actually define them but does describe a (simplified) process to get to each NF - and what one gets from the process does conform with NF defs. The links from this page do go to definitions and they are in agreement with other sources I have looked at. 

  Mark K's quote is a definition of 2NF that conforms to other definitions.

  The only difference I can see between various versions I have read is the degree of mathematical/academic gobbledy-gook involved.

  1NF, 2NF and 3NF were defined way back in the seventies and because they were formed from a theoretical basis I don't think they are going to have changed all that much.

  About the only thing that seems to have changed greatly is the addition of another three NFs.

  I think the issue is a problem with the question, not with the consistency of the definitions. Decoding the definitions for consumption by students is of course another matter...

  Regards
  Robert T-A

  ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Mark Scott 
    To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List 
    Sent: Friday, April 01, 2011 2:45 PM
    Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Sample exam questions andentity-relationship diagrams

    Paula

    This is good stuff but we are still struggling with Question 3c

    Any chance of a VCAA definition of what actually goes in 1NF, 2NF and 3NF.

    The definitions are different depending on which "source" you use.

    thanks
    Mark Scott
    Luther College

    PS I suppose we could all wait for the guru (Mark Kelly) to provide an answer. J

    From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Christophersen, Paula P
    Sent: Friday, 1 April 2011 1:32 PM
    To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
    Subject: [Year 12 IT Apps] Sample exam questions and entity-relationship diagrams

    Dear colleagues

    The examination specifications and some sample questions focusing on new content in the study design are now on the VCAA website:

    http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vcaa/vce/studies/infotech/it-applications/publications/IT-Apps-samp.pdf

    Structurally the examination remains the same - two sections: Section A multiple choice; Section B short and extended responses. 

    I draw your attention to a couple of matters in the sample questions:

    ·         Question 4 focuses on an entity relationship diagram - this hopefully clarifies recent concerns that have been raised.

    ·         Question 7 illustrates one way in which the examination can deal with the choice of different software in Unit 4, Area of Study 1. Here a common question is presented, and students select the software tool to explain their answer.

    ·         Question 9 is an example of an extended response (worth 8 marks) with prompts to guide answers

    ·         Question 12 is an example of the scope of a question on RDBMS - the focus can only extent to what is covered in Unit 3. Again it illustrates an extended response with prompts

    Regards

    Paula

    Paula Christophersen

    ICT Curriculum Manager

    VCAA

    41 St Andrews Place

    EAST MELBOURNE 3002

    (03) 9651 4378

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