[Year 12 IT Apps] Study Design Review following from web authoring software

Thu Dec 5 11:12:55 EST 2013

Hi Paula,

Just wondering how VCAA handles overlap with a subject like VET Interactive
Digital Media? 

Digital Design and Creativity or Interactive Applications and Design or
Computing and Design or even Digital Creations and Communications sounds
very much like what we do in IDM?

Cheers

Claire Bloom

From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au]
On Behalf Of Christophersen, Paula P
Sent: Thursday, 5 December 2013 9:41 AM
To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Study Design Review following from web
authoring software

Thanks Janet for your continuing contribution to this development process.
Like you, the panel has discussed the implications of including
‘technologies’ in the title of the study. While we can’t avoid the fact that
this is what is used when manipulating data, the term does seem to have
negative connotations for many students. If we said ‘mobile devices’ they’d
come in droves! We have been considering the inclusion of a verb in the
title to convey ‘doing’ rather than just ‘studying or tinkering’. Here are
some existing curriculum names and proposed ones being considered (we have
29 on the table at the moment!): 

·         Digital Design and Creativity (or creation)

·         Computing and Design

·         Informatics

·         Information and Digital Technologies

·         Digital Problem Solving

·         Digital Creations and Communications

·         Software design and applications

·         Interactive applications and design

·         Computing

·         Computation and analysis

Our problem is a little compounded by the fact that we have a branching
structure at units 3 and 4, addressing different aspects of IT. In some
other curriculum, where the focus is more discrete, clearer nomenclature is
possible, e.g. Computer Science; Software Development, Information Systems,
Information Processing and Publishing.

I’m organising all study development suggestions into a mindmap for the
review panel to consider and it’s large! Thank you.

Regards

Paula

Paula Christophersen

Curriculum Manager, Digital Technologies

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority

2 Lonsdale Street

MELBOURNE 3000

(03) 9032 1724

0407 043 110

From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au]
On Behalf Of Bane, Janet A
Sent: Thursday, 5 December 2013 8:55 AM
To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Study Design Review following from web
authoring software

Hi all

I'm sure many of us have thought about what should be in the new IT course.
The name IT Apps gives the impression of quite a narrow focus (on just the
applications) so if the new course has a serious change in content or focus
then the name ought to reflect this.  Personally I'm not a big fan of
"digital technologies", but prefer something like "information and
communication" to appeal to a wider audience.

As far as the content is concerned, here is my Xmas wish list 

*	less emphasis on the PSM - put it in software development.
Rationale:  there is too much crossover between ITA and SD, they need to be
separate so students who elect to do both subjects aren't repeating the same
content. Knowledge of how networks work should also be part of SD, rather
than ITA.

*	For ITA, the emphasis should be on ICT for creating.  You could have
a mixture of students creating for themselves, and as Heath has suggested,
researching/exploring ICT context, the how and why ICT is used, and the
myriad of issues surrounding the use of ICT.  The 4 outcomes (if they are
retained) could be something like this:

*	Information to persuade  - how does advertising work?  Students
could make their own persuasive product which has to contain both audio and
visual data ( a multimedia product).  Theory: PSM could be a starting point,
types of audiences, how to manipulate audio and visual data, etc. 

*	Information to inform - how do businesses use information?  Students
have the choice of using either a database or spreadsheet to create a
product which informs  (eg. customer orders, staff wages, stock lists etc.)
Theory:  content about how businesses operate (size, types of decisions,
profit/non profit, structure charts, etc.)

*	Information to educate -  how can ICT help people to learn?
Students design and make a website suitable for an  audience who wants to
share or gain knowledge about a topic.  It could be similar to the current
Outcome 1 with a few tweaks here and there.  Theory:  web design,
development, evaluation of product, justification of choices made etc.  

*	Information to entertain -  how does ICT entertain?  A whole new
field to explore!  The students would probably list this as their number one
priority in terms of using ICT.  Activities could range from a bit of
programming (using software such as App Inventor), to using websites like
GoAnimate to create a cartoon.  There are lots of possibilities.  Theory:
Copyright & Spam laws,  cyberbullying, computer addiction

OK I know its a bit rough, but I would love to know what others think.  And
please, if you have some great ideas, share them with the rest of us.  

kind regards

Janet Bane

Patterson River SC

  _____  

From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] on
behalf of Christophersen, Paula P
[christophersen.paula.p at edumail.vic.gov.au]
Sent: Thursday, 5 December 2013 7:45 AM
To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Study Design Review following from web
authoring software

Thank you Heath for your very considered contribution to the future of the
VCE IT study design, in particular IT apps. The panel is already
contemplating some of the suggestions that you have made, particularly with
respect to ‘project work’ (context). We are currently exploring some
different assessment options to support depth of study, research and solving
real world problems. Another area for exploration has been whether  IT apps
should increase or decrease its business focus (maybe linking to Heath’s
project management suggestion and projects set in context). This point seems
to polarise opinions – what do you think?

Just to add to the climate of change the panel is exploring the renaming of
the study – as has been suggested by several people there is a misconception
about the field of IT and as a follow-on to the Australian Curriculum:
Digital Technologies draft curriculum, we are considering changing the study
name. This is tricky – the name needs to be future-proof (well as much as
possible) but also clearly communicate the nature of the study. It also has
to embrace all units. Suggestions please – we have about 20 names at the
moment!!

Heath, I thank you for your constructive comments, and I’m glad I asked you
that question in February!

Regards

Paula

Paula Christophersen

Curriculum Manager, Digital Technologies

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority

2 Lonsdale Street

MELBOURNE 3000

(03) 9032 1724

0407 043 110

From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au]
On Behalf Of Matheson, Heath A
Sent: Wednesday, 4 December 2013 9:27 PM
To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: [Year 12 IT Apps] Study Design Review following from web authoring
software

Dear Paula and Colleagues,

At the VCE IT teachers conference at the beginning of the year, we met two
passionate young females in the IT industry who loved their jobs. One was
doing programming for the bionic eye via an engineering background and this
evening I can’t recall what the other was working on. Neither studied unit ¾
IT and looking at where their passions were I put forward the position that
I didn’t think either of them would have enjoyed our unit ¾ courses. Paula
asked me what I think we could do about this and I have pondered this over
the year. 

As a total generalisation, I feel girls see IT as a tool to help them with
the stuff they are interested in, while boys are happy to tinker with
hardware and software just for fun. It’s fine to have a course where you
learn the nuts and bolts of programming, creating web pages from scratch and
using spreadsheets or databases but expect only those who like tinkering
with computers to take such a class. I don’t believe there’s anything wrong
with that. 

Perhaps the key to IT engagement for girls is to integrate IT into more
topic areas that appeal to girls. Putting IT into a context and learning
about that context as well as the IT involved is something that will appeal
to a broader audience.  Even to some small extent the project management
components in the old study did this.  

In the current form of the VCE there is no way there is time to get side
tracked but wouldn’t it be great if students could learn about IT and its
context. 

Eg 

1.       Learn sight, the nervous system, the materials involved in creating
a bionic eye and software development and then write a little program
including light detection. 

2.       Look at reaction times in terms of braking response in a car. Look
at how collision avoidance technology works and the programming involved. 

3.       Look at 3d printing and the impacts of affordable 3d printing on
the world.

4.       The use of smart phone GPS and tracking. 

How could this be done?

I think you could reduce the amount of IT specific key knowledge which would
result in less breadth and more depth in the exam and free up some time for
context. 

You would then have school assessed tasks that include integration in some
area that the classroom teacher is interested in with much of the work done
not examinable. That is you would assess the knowledge of the IT context as
well as the IT itself. I believe the new chemistry course now has SACs with
content not examinable at the end of the year. 

Another option would be to create a list projects that could be worked on,
in a similar manner to picking a programming language. Ask this mailing list
for ideas on projects and I have no doubt there would be dozens of ideas. 

I’m sure this is beyond the scope of what could be included in the IT study
design but I thought I’d put my thoughts in writing anyway!

Haven’t mentioned anything about web authoring software so thought I’d
change the subject.

Take care,

Heath Matheson

Mount Beauty Secondary College

Darcey’s Dad

Hi everyone,

Our student numbers are still really good for next year: 48 in ITA, 28 in
SD, 50 in IT (which is slightly down) but higher numbers in both Year 10
courses.

I don't have the exact numbers in front of me but I would think we have a 20
-  40% enrolment by girls, depending on the subject, including accelerated
students.

To encourage girls (in particular):

Every two years the Victorian Women in ICT run the Go Girl program at Deakin
Uni. We take approx 90 students from Years 8 to 10 each time and it is
fantastic. I hope it runs in 2014. The girls will hear from female role
models in jobs they would never have considered.

Swinburne University runs a Girls in IT day each year. Also fantastic,
includes programming in Alice which they love. Great female presenters as
well.

We also sent a team to the Girls in Programming day this year which was a
great success.

I think I remember Kevork saying his IT numbers were really good. Must be
Ringwood!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the list this year.

Wishing you a safe and relaxing term break, Judy Zuccon Aquinas College

Sent from my iPad

Sent from my iPad

On 02/12/2013, at 4:28 PM, "Christophersen, Paula P"
<christophersen.paula.p at edumail.vic.gov.au
<mailto:christophersen.paula.p at edumail.vic.gov.au%3cmailto:christophersen.pa
ula.p at edumail.vic.gov.au>
<mailto:christophersen.paula.p at edumail.vic.gov.au>> wrote:

Dear colleagues

I really appreciate all of your comments and I can assure you that the
Review Panel will seriously consider your feedback.

Just a couple of comments in response to your feedback, the VCAA always
publishes the study design at the beginning of Term 1 in the year before it
is due to be introduced and during that year it conducts some professional
development. I appreciate concerns about the level of professional
development, and will continue to explore alternative avenues of providing
support.

The ICT Skills Steering Committee is relatively new and I’m an even newer
member, so I’m still exploring its remit and scope. Any strategies that are
suggested and appropriate to VCE will be considered.

Yes, the survey was only conducted with VCE students, and the suggestion to
approach younger students is very valid. We do have data on how 16-year-old
respond to ICT (through Multimedia Victoria), and many have misconceptions
about the field. I am happy to work with any of you in constructing a survey
for non-VCE students – let me know who wants to form a team to get this
moving.

As I had indicated I am assuming that there will be ‘some big changes in
some of the VCE units’ as a result of the introduction of Digital
Technologies.

Keep the comments flowing – they are genuinely appreciated and will be
considered by the Review Panel.

Regards

Paula

Paula Christophersen

Curriculum Manager, Digital Technologies Victorian Curriculum and Assessment
Authority

2 Lonsdale Street

MELBOURNE 3000

(03) 9032 1724

0407 043 110

From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
<mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au%3cmailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.
au> <mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au>
[mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Harper, Glenda J

Sent: Monday, 2 December 2013 3:45 PM

To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List

Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] [Year 12 SofDev] Web authoring software

My little bit added . . .

Glenda Harper

Educational Leader – Timetable and e-Learning Carwatha College P-12
harper.glenda.j at edumail.vic.gov.au
<mailto:harper.glenda.j at edumail.vic.gov.au%3cmailto:harper.glenda.j at edumail.
vic.gov.au> <mailto:harper.glenda.j at edumail.vic.gov.au>

Ph:   9795 5848

Fax: 9790 1712

From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
<mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au%3cmailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.
au> <mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au>
[mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Bane, Janet A

Sent: Monday, 2 December 2013 3:18 PM

To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List

Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] [Year 12 SofDev] Web authoring software

Hi Paula

Please do not take this as a personal criticism, but sometimes you have to
be blunt.  I have been a teacher for 30 years.  I have taught all years of
IT from 7-12.  And I have a few questions/suggestions/comments.

“We have surveyed a group of students in the past four weeks through the
auspices of review panel members”  - Did you survey students who were
thinking of choosing IT in VCE or just Year 12 students?  We need to get
their attention before they make their subject choices for VCE otherwise it
is too late. (ie Years 9 and 10).  To this end, many schools (ours included)
have gone out of our way to make the “middle school offerings” more
attractive – eg. game making, app inventor, web design, multi-media, film
making, etc. Fun things.  Then they look at VCE and see boring things.

“Software Development experienced a 28% increase in enrolments this year,
and as a percentage of the total VCE cohort, all VCE IT units experienced a
slight increase”.   The same is true at our school.  I think part of the
reason is that students can see a pathway through Software Development  into
tertiary IT, whether it be game development (which is very appealing to the
average 17 year old boy) or something else IT related. ITA is a very general
course, which is not such a bad thing, but maybe the “end destination” needs
to be clearer.  You need to give students a reason to choose I.T. Apps over
other subjects.  Part of that incentive is a course that is relevant and  up
to date .  (sorry, starting to sound like an IT teacher here). I agree with
the appeal of game development – unfortunately the real thing is not what
the kids think it is. I’ve recently endured a lengthy lecture from my son,
who has been there as a programmer, on the weakness of the gaming industry
in Australia. However, real careers exist for IT graduates in commerce – and
this is where databases and spread-sheets come into play. Web development is
big, competitive and will continue to grow.

Selling IT to students?

·         If they want gaming they should be prepared to move to  Europe or
USA;

·         network & data management – a growing field in Australia and
increasing opportunities;

·         web development – plenty of work, but also lots of applicants;

·         use of IT skills throughout all areas of commerce, including
spread-sheets, presentations and DT publishing – many opportunities.

“I am also a member of the Victorian ICT Skills Steering Committee,
comprising industry and educational representatives, who provide advice to
the national body on strategies for attracting more students into further
study and the IT profession, particularly females.”  Can you tell us what
strategies you have suggested?   Have these been acted on?  Has the rate of
female enrolments in IT at VCE been improved?

“, we are always mindful of the extent of change in any curriculum and the
potential impact that has on teachers developing and implementing teaching
and learning programs. It’s about finding that right balance between
stability and innovativeness”.   I agree, and its easier to “stick with what
you know”, however if we don’t make some positive changes at some stage (and
we have the opportunity to do so in the next couple of years), enrolments
will remain low.   If you give teachers enough time and PD to get to know
the new course, there shouldn’t be too much of a problem.  In previous
incarnations, the study design was put out quite late, when teachers had
little time to prepare.  Also there was little support material available –
for some reason there are usually samples given in the study design, but no
solutions.   (A real Pet hate of mine – I have never understood why).   I
think its fair to say that over the past few years the balance between
stability and innovativeness has been tipped in favour of stability.  Now
its time for a bit more innovation!

Regards,

Janet

From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
<mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au%3cmailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.
au> <mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au>
[mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au]<mailto:[mailto:itapps-bounces at edulis
ts.com.au]> On Behalf Of Christophersen, Paula P

Sent: Monday, 2 December 2013 2:11 PM

To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List

Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] [Year 12 SofDev] Web authoring software

Hi Janet and colleagues

We are very mindful of the gender situation in our study, as well as the
decline in enrolments in some units. Interestingly, however, Software
Development experienced a 28% increase in enrolments this year, and as a
percentage of the total VCE cohort, all VCE IT units experienced a slight
increase.

We have done an extensive review of a large body of data and research
information. We have analysed enrolment and performance VCE data, not only
for IT, but for other studies, as points of comparison. A benchmarking
report has been completed reviewing 10 national and international IT
curriculum, and we have reviewed publications such as the Horizon Report,
(Royal Society, UK) and The Department of Business and Innovation’s ICT
Skills Snapshot report. I am also a member of the Victorian ICT Skills
Steering Committee, comprising industry and educational representatives, who
provide advice to the national body on strategies for attracting more
students into further study and the IT profession, particularly females.

We would welcome any feedback – to date we have used a SWOT proforma to
organise responses and we are collating a set of clear messages that are
emerging from a range of sources. Of course, we also need to take into
account the Australian Curriculum Digital Technologies, and as a consequence
of this I expect that there will be some big changes in some of the VCE
units. Having said this, we are always mindful of the extent of change in
any curriculum and the potential impact that has on teachers developing and
implementing teaching and learning programs. It’s about finding that right
balance between stability and innovativeness. All up it’s a challenge, but
an interesting one!

All ideas greatly appreciated.

Regards

Paula

Paula Christophersen

Curriculum Manager, Digital Technologies Victorian Curriculum and Assessment
Authority

2 Lonsdale Street

MELBOURNE 3000

(03) 9032 1724

0407 043 110

From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
<mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au%3cmailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.
au> <mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au>
[mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Bane, Janet A

Sent: Monday, 2 December 2013 1:06 PM

To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List

Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] [Year 12 SofDev] Web authoring software

Like everyone else, I have noticed a steady decline in the number of
students choosing IT, especially girls.  It concerns me that girls don't see
IT as a possible career or something that they would enjoy or be good at
(even though they have a female IT teacher and a female IT technician
working on the network).  I am not teaching year 12 this year, but my Year
11 class only had 1 girl last year, and 21 boys.  Now we have "stepped up"
to 2014, we have about 36 Year 11 IT students, but only two girls. Year 10
classes have shown the same trend.

I think its time that IT had a "makeover", in terms of finding out what
things would appeal to girls.  From my experience they tend to enjoy
projects where they can explore their creativity, rather than being overly
technical. I think its time to acknowledge that some aspects of the current
course are turning students off (male and female) as VCE numbers are in
decline. Our digital natives are using ICT every day in many different ways
and they aren’t making spreadsheets and databases!

We need to have a serious think about how we can attract students back to
IT, in particular girls who make up 50% of the VCE cohort otherwise we will
all eventually be out of a job.   One good way to find out what kids want to
study in IT is to ASK them.  Maybe we could set up a SURVEY on google docs
and ask teachers to do it with their Year 10 or 11 students so we get a wide
cross section of opinions.  We shouldn’t be starting the process of writing
the new study design until we get some GOOD data.  Isn’t that what IT is all
about?

What do others think????

Janet Bane

Patterson River SC

From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
<mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au%3cmailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.
au> <mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au>
[mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Christophersen, Paula P

Sent: Monday, 2 December 2013 12:13 PM

To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List

Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] [Year 12 SofDev] Web authoring software

Hi George

At the moment no – we have had several meetings and we now have a set of
Aims and a lot of other material that has resulted from our analysis. We are
having an all day meeting next week at which we aim to have a broad overview
(or skeleton plan) of all units so we should be heading in the right
direction. We’ve been doing quite a bit analysis of assessment results and
looking at alternative assessment modes for units 3 and 4. All interesting!
Do you have any suggestions as to our direction?

Regards

Paula

Paula Christophersen

Curriculum Manager, Digital Technologies Victorian Curriculum and Assessment
Authority

2 Lonsdale Street

MELBOURNE 3000

(03) 9032 1724

0407 043 110

From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
<mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au%3cmailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.
au> <mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au>
[mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Ciotti, George W

Sent: Monday, 2 December 2013 11:53 AM

To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List

Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] [Year 12 SofDev] Web authoring software

Hi Paula,

Has VCAA got a skeleton plan of what is being considered at this early
stage?

Cheers

George

UHS Website Manager

IT/Arts/Design/Tech Domain

University High School

77 Story St

Parkville 3052

mobile: 0412 934 782

phone: 9347 2022

From: "Christophersen, Paula P" <christophersen.paula.p at edumail.vic.gov.au
<mailto:christophersen.paula.p at edumail.vic.gov.au%3cmailto:christophersen.pa
ula.p at edumail.vic.gov.au>
<mailto:christophersen.paula.p at edumail.vic.gov.au>>

Reply-To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
<itapps at edulists.com.au
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<mailto:itapps at edulists.com.au>>

Date: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 02:52:56 +0000

To: Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
<sofdev at edulists.com.au
<mailto:sofdev at edulists.com.au%3cmailto:sofdev at edulists.com.au>
<mailto:sofdev at edulists.com.au>>, Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing
List <itapps at edulists.com.au
<mailto:itapps at edulists.com.au%3cmailto:itapps at edulists.com.au>
<mailto:itapps at edulists.com.au>>, Year 11 Information Technology Teachers'
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<mailto:yr11it at edulists.com.au>>

Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] [Year 12 SofDev] Web authoring software

All comments about the strengths and weaknesses of the current study, and
opportunities for inclusion would be appreciated.

Regards

Paula

________________________________

From: sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au
<mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au%3cmailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.
au> <mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au>
[sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au<mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au>] on
behalf of Mark [mark at vceit.com<mailto:mark at vceit.com>]

Sent: Friday, 29 November 2013 1:13 PM

To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List; Year 12 Software
Development Teachers' Mailing List; Year 11 Information Technology Teachers'
Mailing List

Subject: Re: [Year 12 SofDev] [Year 12 IT Apps] Web authoring software
(Apologies for crossposts, but this may affect everyone.)

An old study design did include Agile, but it disappeared. (This is more of
an SD issue rather than ITA, but it's still relevant.) The old design had
different flavours of the SDLC for SD/IS, ITA/IPM, Units 1/2... an awful
mess. But at least it recognised that different models existed, and had
merit.

I'm glad the current study design listened to reason and devised a single,
coherent PSM, but to ignore Agile and other models is - as you say - odd
since Agile is a major player in The Real World.

I guess VCAA has to balance realism against practicality : it would be
impossible to include *everything* involved in real-life IT in a course
consisting of around 130 hours of class time per year.  The question is -
what is so important that it can't be left out? And if new content is added,
what should be removed to make room for it?

Since Paula recently announced that the new study design is in preparation,
this is the time to pull out our blue pencils, judge the current contents
and give our feedback.

Regards

Mark

On Fri, Nov 29, 2013 at 12:43 PM, Savage, John L
<savage.john.l at edumail.vic.gov.au
<mailto:savage.john.l at edumail.vic.gov.au%3cmailto:savage.john.l at edumail.vic.
gov.au> <mailto:savage.john.l at edumail.vic.gov.au>> wrote:

Roland,

The mismatch was never so clear as on a recent industry visit we made.
Increasingly software is being developed for early and rapid release/update
cycles. The software houses we visited all used the AGILE model, one in
particular used a very formal Agile approach with an Agile Coach and regular
morning sessions that sounded like they were based on AA meetings (hello,
I’m Larry and I’m a Ruby developer, and yesterday I wrote 500 lines of code,
today I will write another 500). Our mandated PSM is looking long in the
tooth, great for shrink-wrapped software with infrequent updates, not so
useful for rapidly evolving web-based solutions.

Laurie Savage

From:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au<mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au>
[mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
<mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au%3cmailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.
au%3e> <mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au>] On Behalf Of Roland
Gesthuizen

Sent: Thursday, 28 November 2013 3:25 PM

To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List

Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Web authoring software

We need to be clear and align with the skills that are being asked.
Increasingly my friends in ye' olde big world build and publish using
content management systems (Drupal, Joomla, wikis etc.) My school continues
to use Dream Weaver.

Google Sites may be an interesting way forward, especially if we consider
how to best manage and assess the work of a team who are working online
together. I'd agree with Jarrod that it is very easy to open and close
access to a site and authenticate usage.

Timely discussion. There is a trend and interest with device such as
Chromebooks. Whilst they may not suit everybodies ICT taste or VCEIT needs,
I also notice that we seem to have a doubling of what can be done online
every two years. Four years ago we were just editing basic word docs, then
came spreadsheets .. then more. I can see cracks starting to happen with our
VCE IT subject that is firmly anchored in desktop solutions and like others
on this list. We can expect more of this to happen over the next decade,
just check out the horizon report:
http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2013-horizon-report-k12.pdf

Regards Roland

Roland GESTHUIZEN

http://about.me/rgesthuizen

"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

On 27 Nov 2013, at 2:09 pm, Savage, John L <savage.john.l at edumail.vic.gov.au
<mailto:savage.john.l at edumail.vic.gov.au%3cmailto:savage.john.l at edumail.vic.
gov.au> <mailto:savage.john.l at edumail.vic.gov.au>> wrote:

I’m not too comfortable with the fit between
sites.google.com<http://sites.google.com/> and CSS from a skills
perspective. While an author can select attributes:values for tags, I’m not
convinced that that demonstrates the skills to edit the html or a style
sheet, or maybe I’m making it too difficult. As far as the key skills for
AOS1 go “Sites” looks OK. But if I remember, this was discussed last year
and online web-creation software was ruled out. Maybe Paula could clarify
this.

Laurie Savage

Pascoe Vale Girls College

From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
<mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au%3cmailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.
au> <mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au>
[mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Van Der Westhuizen,
Eugene Y

Sent: Tuesday, 26 November 2013 9:22 PM

To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List

Subject: [Year 12 IT Apps] Web authoring software

Hi,

I am looking at the options for web authoring software to use in unit 1 and
unit 3 next year and would like any feedback about using Google Sites. I’ve
used Expression Web and DreamWeaver over the last couple of years but a
number of students this year asked whether they could have used Google
Sites. As far as I can see from the VCAA site the software needs to
incorporate the following items:

Web authoring software

  *   cascading style sheet

  *   edit and format content

  *   links (relative and absolute links, internal and external links)

  *   navigation

  *   buttons

  *   screen layout

  *   tagging (metadata tags, alt tags)

  *   forms

  *   incorporate images/sound

As far as I can see from this list Google Sites would meet the requirements
and want to offer this an another alternative. Has anyone gone down this
path before? I’d appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,

Eugene Van der Westhuizen

Gleneagles Secondary College

Reema Boulevard

Endeavour Hills, 3802

phone: 9708 1319

fax: 9708 1324

--

Mark Kelly

mark AT vceit DOT com

http://vceit.com

Day 19, I have successfully conditioned my master to smile and write in his
book every time I drool.- Pavlov's Dog

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