[Year 12 IT Apps] DB SAC

Fri May 27 19:54:16 EST 2011

Hi Mike

The examiners *cannot* assume students have done spreadsheets. They
*can*ask direct questions about databases.  They will definitely have
database-specific questions, and other questions that could apply to
spreadsheets or databases.

<niggle>
They also cannot assume students have familiarity with a particular database
make or model (such as MS Access) but their terminology has always tended to
be Access-flavoured. If your kids don't swim in the mainstream, teach them
how to translate Access terms and concepts to your preferred RDBMS.
</niggle>

On 27 May 2011 15:48, Jolly, Michael D
<Jolly.Michael.D at edumail.vic.gov.au>wrote:

>  I wonder how the exam will be handled? Will there be alternative
> questions in the multiple choice section?
>
>
>
> Mike Jolly
>
> Year 9 Co-ordinator
>
> Kyneton Secondary College
>
> jolly.michael.d at edumail.vic.gov.au
>
> 03 5421 1100
>
> 0412 75 1984
>
>
>
> *From:* itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:
> itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Mark KELLY
> *Sent:* Friday, 27 May 2011 8:45 AM
>
> *To:* Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
> *Subject:* Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] DB SAC
>
>
>
> Hi again, The Other Mark.
>
> The SS/dB choice will probably raise its head again once we've experienced
> our first year of U3O2/U4O1.  I doubt that I'll change from doing
> spreadsheets for U4O1.  My kids don't thrive on database tasks, and teaching
> spreadsheet skills is a doddle in comparison; and the kids like them.
>
> Most kids already have spreadsheet experience, and the database skills in
> U3O2 can be easily transferred to spreadsheets (formulas, IPO, interface
> design, validation, lookups etc).
>
> Even if they had all year to practise databases, I doubt they would reach
> the level they do with spreadsheets in a few short weeks. If nothing else, I
> find the spreadsheet in U4O1 is a morale-lifter for them as their last
> practical outcome.
>
> Their marks on spreadsheet outcomes are certainly streets better than that
> from the database outcome, and that's good enough reason for me.
>
> As for employability skills... I don't assume that anything I teach them
> will directly help them get a job. Anyway, nearly all of our cohort is
> heading straight for uni where - I believe - they start from scratch when
> teaching IT, so specific software skills are often not directly
> transferable: unless you're lucky.  But I might be mistaken about that.
>
> Cheers
> Mark
>
> On 26 May 2011 15:49, Mark Scott <msc at luther.vic.edu.au> wrote:
>
> I am doing Spreadsheets for Unit 4 Outcome 1 this year.
>
>
>
> Next year I am thinking about doing Databases instead.
>
> It would seem logical to just extend the students skill set in one software
> type.
>
>
>
> Any thoughts, anybody?
>
>
>
> Mark Scott
>
> Luther College
>
> “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be”
>
>
>
> *From:* itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:
> itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Mark KELLY
> *Sent:* Thursday, 26 May 2011 3:34 PM
>
>
> *To:* Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
>
> *Subject:* Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] DB SAC
>
>
>
> You wouldn't *lose* marks for adding formatting, forms, controls etc, but
> you wouldn't be getting marks for them.  And spending too much time on these
> things may distract students from spending time on things that *do* get
> marks.
>
>
>
> Some primitive form of input/output is necessary to get the data into the
> tables and get printouts of answers produced (I get kids to print output
> rather than assessing onscreen).  It's just that I/O is not much important
> in U3O2.  Anyway, it's not as if it takes hours of work or masses of skill
> to produce basic output !
>
> I wouldn't panic about *adding* features, just about leaving out necessary
> features.
>
> Regards
> Mark
>
> On 26 May 2011 11:08, Mark KELLY <kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au> wrote:
>
> Hi, OtherMark
>
> Formatting is not important to this outcome, but it is assessable if RDBMS
> is used for U4O1...
>
> *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.*
>
>
>
> On 26 May 2011 10:47, Mark Scott <msc at luther.vic.edu.au> wrote:
>
>
>
> HELP!!!!!!!!
>
>
>
> From VCAA
>
> *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.*
>
>
>
> Can someone confirm that:
>
>
>
> ·        formatting (apart from sorting) is not a part of this SAC?
>
> ·        drop down lists are not appropriate for tables (only forms)
>
>
>
> Mark Scott
>
> Luther College
>
>
>
>
> --
> Mark Kelly
>
>
> --
> Mark Kelly
>
>
>
> --
> Mark Kelly
>
>
> --
Mark Kelly
Manager of ICT, Reporting, IT Learning Area
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

Want a good time? Call 0112358. Ask for Mr Fibonacci.
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