[Year 12 IT Apps] Informatics - aaargh

[Litsa Tzelepis]

Bingo Damien.

Off to the survey we go...





On Thursday, May 15, 2014, ATKINSON-BUCK, Damien <
Damien.ATKINSON-BUCK at ivanhoe.com.au> wrote:

>  Hi all ,
>
>             My 1.8 cents worth.
>
> In short, I don’t like the Informatics change!
>
> In a little bit more detail;
>
> ·         My year 11’s last year were bored with Data Visualisations and
> Infographics, the many who (like me) don’t have an artistic bone in their
> body thought it was like moving IT into an Art classroom and were happiest
> when we got away from it and started on websites and/or programming.
>
> ·         I’m glad to see Project Management back in (probably my only
> tick in the changes)
>
> ·         I think the SAT is something that should stay in Art/DT type
> subjects. If we are going to have an assignment that goes over 2 outcomes,
> it needs to have more than being a data analyst. Also, I admit to not being
> a mathematician, but is it not just a trumped up version of the Bivariate
> Data SAC that is done in Further Maths?
>
> ·         Students that choose IT type subjects, I feel, generally like
> to *create* things, there’s a lot of sitting around planning, designing
> and analysing and not much actual doing IT. Unless the student is into
> Photoshop Panit.NET or some other image creation software, then they are
> going to be fairly bored.
>
> ·         As another lister has posted, some information about hardware,
> setting up a computer and various trouble shooting material would be a much
> better option than a SAT on Data Analysis, yes, it moves into the VET
> realm, but to totally neglect actual computer knowledge in a year 12
> computing course is criminal.
>
>
>
> In its current plan, I don’t see myself recommending it to my students,
> let alone offering myself up to teach it, the year 9 Health course Mark
> mentioned in a different post sounds much more exciting.
>
> I’ll hopefully be able to convince enough to go with the meatier Software
> Development course, but it will be a shame to lose the course that offers
> something IT related for the kids that aren’t looking for an IT career,
> just some good IT understanding.
>
>
>
> Well that’s my turn on the soap box, now to fit all that into a survey……
>
> Cheers
>
> Damien
>
>
>
> *Damien* *Atkinson-Buck*
> Head of Learning Area: Technology/Arts
>
>     *p:* +61 3 9490 3848
>
> *e:* damien.atkinson-buck at ivanhoe.com.au<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','damien.atkinson-buck at ivanhoe.com.au');>
>
> *f:* +61 3 9490 3490
>
> *w:* www.ivanhoe.com.au
>
>
>
> *From:* Leo Keith [mailto:lkeith at distance.vic.edu.au<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','lkeith at distance.vic.edu.au');>]
>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, 13 May 2014 10:22 AM
> *To:* itapps at edulists.com.au<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','itapps at edulists.com.au');>
> *Subject:* [Year 12 IT Apps] Informatics - aaargh
>
>
>
> I completely agree with Mark re : Informatics and gave draft feedback to
> that effect.
>
>
>
> I feel that the name “Informatics” will turn students away and the content
> contains little that will appeal. It seems a confusing contradiction that
> portfolio based assessment is being introduced at the same time as the key
> skills and knowledge become more dry and theoretical.
>
>
>
> Like Margaret I don’t have a problem with the emphasis on database work (I
> already teach databases in both Units 3 & 4 as my students quite like them)
> but I’m worried the increased emphasis on data analysis and project
> management will give students little to sink their teeth into.
>
>
>
> I would salvage ITA/Informatics by making it a subject based around web
> development. It could even be called “Web Development” to draw in the
> crowds. I think most of the draft key skills and knowledge could be
> retained in this case with a couple of minor tweaks.
>
> ·         the AOS on databases could have a focus on back-end development
>
> ·         the AOS which includes website analysis and visual design could
> focus on front end development
>
> ·         the web emphasis would put the project management and data
> analysis in an authentic, appealing, context
>
> ·         the subject would be “sellable to students”
>
>
>
> This is how I have tried to teach ITA and I suppose I will try to coerce
> Informatics into a similar form but it doesn’t look like it is going to be
> an easy subject to make appealing for students or teachers.
>
>
>
> On a sidenote I’m pretty happy with the draft for Software Dev and am
> ambivalent about the draft for 11 Information Technology.
>
>
>
>
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