[Year 12 SofDev] Why aren't teachers able to write their own
material ?
Mark Kelly
kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
Thu Mar 6 12:11:57 EST 2008
Perhaps VITTA could sponsor/produce a "Beginner's guide to writing and
assessing ITA/SD outcomes" PD or publication.
I can do a talk on it at the VITTA convention, but that's a way off.
Kevork Krozian wrote:
> Hi Adrian and Mark,
>
> Very good points but more broadly a symptom of a wider problem we
> keep avoiding.
> If teachers are not confident about assessing a topic ( to say nothing
> about teaching it effectively ) then we need to address this issue.
> I know we are all overworked but if we are teaching a class we need to
> be fair to the students and ourselves.
>
> In reality if you are not an active network manager or Cisco
> instructor, you would struggle to understand networks and maybe not know
> a bus network even if you were run over by one.
>
> I know VITTA and the VCAA almost do miracles ( not least in their
> active and meaningful support of Edulists and PD ) but why are teachers
> unable to write their own SACs with confidence and conviction and with
> solutions they can show others ?
>
> I would say because the training and the need for new and current
> training has not kept up with the demands of the course(s). What do we
> do about this ?
>
> I think we need to stop patching these problems with band aids and
> need to go up the tree (DEECD, the new Rudd govt. initiative or wherever
> else we need to go) where there is decent and proper funding to deliver
> updated courses and training rather than doing it on the cheap.
>
> I don't want to drag down decent hardworking teachers doing the best
> they can with what little they have - I want to lift them .
>
>
> Just my thoughts
>
>
> Kevork
>
>
>>>> Mark Kelly <kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au> 6/03/2008 8:28 am >>>
> Good points there, Adrian. I have a gut feeling that people feel rather
>
> more intimidated writing SD outcomes than they do ITA. It's that much
>
> more complex.
>
> In a similar vein, I've just finished writing a commercial practice SD
>
> exam and it took much more thinking than the equivalent ITA exam.
>
> Adrian Janson wrote:
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>>
>>
>> This is a potentially tricky issue - and as one who often posts his
> SAC
>> and theory materials to the lists - one that I must confess is a bit
> of
>> a concern.
>>
>>
>>
>> Speaking personally, when I post my materials to the lists - I would
>
>> like to think that those who are making use of them do so in the
> spirit
>> in which they have been posted - giving credit where it is due and
> not
>> altering things with a view to reposting them. I think the part of
> this
>> that is the most worrying is that some material did find its way back
> to
>> me which I had originally authored and posted to the lists - but with
>
>> another teachers name on it.
>>
>>
>>
>> It may well just need to be the case that when we post materials to
> the
>> lists, we need to state (in the document as well as in the attached
>> email), that the materials are free to use but may not be adapted or
>
>> changed in any way without the permission of the author*. As I put
> the
>> finishing touches on my 2008 SAC1 - I may well do this before I post
> it
>> to the list? I would be interested to know what others think of
> this?
>>
>>
>> On another note - something which has been bothering me a great
> deal.
>>
>>
>> After the review process took place last year and schools had the
> SACs
>> and Assessments checked by VCAA - it became apparent that a large
> number
>> of the sampled schools had used my SACs (more than half). Of the
>> remaining schools, many had used the VITTA SACs. After posting the
> SACs
>> to the lists, I had many requests for solutions which I tried to
> provide
>> as best I could. I don*t mind doing this - however, I think this
> seems
>> to suggest that there are few SD teachers creating their own original
>
>> materials and/or solutions.
>>
>>
>>
>> Now - I don*t mind doing the work and posting it for everyone to
> use. I
>> think doing this is especially valuable to those starting out with
> the
>> SD course or with programming in general. However, if you are
> familiar
>> with the SD course - I think that you could be doing your own
> students a
>> disservice by not writing your own materials and solutions (and hence
>
>> becoming more familiar with the assessment criteria and the structure
> of
>> the course). In such a circumstance, I think it would be more
>> appropriate for you to use my SAC materials (or any others that are
>> posted) for practice SAC materials and / or inspiration for your own.
>
>> There is no way I can prevent teachers from simply using my own (or
>> others) work as a method of minimising their own workload - however,
> I
>> would implore those engaging in this practice to think of the bigger
>
>> picture.
>>
>>
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Adrian Janson
>>
>> VITTA President
>>
>> Director of ICT, Melbourne High School
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au
>> [mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Poultney,
> Gordon A
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, 5 March 2008 12:13 PM
>> *To:* Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
>> *Subject:* RE: [Year 12 SofDev] RE: Ross from Sunbury College
>>
>>
>>
>> We are talking about a 2 page SAC here, not the latest from Neal
>> Stephenson...
>>
>> Feel free to do what you want with Shagadelic - just don't put my
> name
>> on it if you change it.
>>
>>
>>
>> If you believe in copyright/credit , then Ross' simple attribution
>> scheme looks good.
>>
>>
>>
>> gordon
>>
>>
>>
>> ----------------
>>
>> Gordon Poultney
>>
>> Horsham College
>>
>>
>>
>>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> *From:* sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Stephen Digby
>> *Sent:* Wed 5/3/08 11:31
>> *To:* 'Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List'
>> *Subject:* RE: [Year 12 SofDev] RE: Ross from Sunbury College
>>
>> What about a simpler attribution such as
>>
>> Freds Carpet House v6 "Based on SAC by Mark Kelly 2007. Alterations
> by
>> Stephen Digby 2008, Gordon Poultney 2008"
>>
>> Just as the ridiculous copyright laws reduce the likelihood of
> attribution
>> (less likely to get caught for copyright violation if you remove all
> info
>> re. source).
>>
>> A overly complex attribution process may reduce the likelihood of
> sharing.
>> As it is, most resources that I have are not able to be shared
> because of
>> copyright (i.e. they are not mine to share)
>>
>> Lets develop a 'creative common' approach to as much materials as
>> possible....
>>
>> ====================================================
>> Stephen Digby, Learning Technology Manager
>> mailto: digby.stephen.p at edumail.vic.gov.au
>> Cheltenham Secondary College www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au
>> Ph: 613 955 55 955 Fx: 9555 8617 Mb: 0431-701-028
>> ====================================================
>>
>> I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. Winston
>> Churchill
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au]
>> On Behalf Of Mark Kelly
>> Sent: Wednesday, 5 March 2008 10:15 AM
>> To: Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List; Year 12 IT
>> Applications Teachers' Mailing List; Year 11 Information Technology
>> Teachers' Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [Year 12 SofDev] RE: Ross from Sunbury College
>>
>> (I've X-posted to the ITA and year 11 IT lists. Apols in advance.)
>>
>> I see an interesting and potentially worrying point developing here.
>>
>> If we adapt other people's tasks, I think we are obliged to retain
> the
>> version information contained in the task and note ourselves as
> modifiers
>> and let that info stay with the document in its further travels.
>>
>> I know I would be horrified if a task I created was later 'improved'
> by some
>> anonymous person, thereby damaging it or (even worse) rendering it a
>> violation of VCAA rules - with my name still proudly stuck on it as
> if I
>> were solely responsible for its current condition!
>>
>> When we distribute 'adapted' tasks, I recommend that we:
>>
>> 1. Of course, retain the original author's identity and document
> version
>> number, if they are in the document. Give the poor authors credit
> for their
>> labours!
>>
>> 2. Add yourself to the credits as a 'modifier'.
>>
>> 3. Maybe even summarise your changes (and reasons?) in an addendum at
> the
>> end of the document. This addendum can be removed for printing
> purposes by
>> people who use it later, but it otherwise travels with the document
> as it
>> morphs through the ether.
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>> Mark
>>
>> Poultney, Gordon A wrote:
>>> i made up the original 'Shagadelic' which sounds like it has
> morphed
>> into something else. There is only 1 network diagram in the original
> - for
>> the new system .there is/was a marking scheme and complete network
> diagram
>> for the teacher too.
>>> cheers Gordon
>>>
>>> ----------------
>>> Gordon Poultney
>>> Horsham College
>>>
>>> ________________________________
>>>
>>> From: sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Maggie Iaquinto
>>> Sent: Wed 5/3/08 9:14
>>> To: Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
>>> Subject: RE: [Year 12 SofDev] RE: Ross from Sunbury College
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Ross
>>>
>>> Ross
>>>
>>> If you were using this practice SAC as the actual one, it would be
>>> difficult to separate the marks for Task 1 (systems analysis and
>>> design
>>> - mistakenly called Task 2 here) from Task 2 (network diagram).
> You
>>> are required to report the marks for the tasks clearly and
> discretely.
>>> Task 1 is 40 marks and Task 2 is 10 marks -- based on 50 for the
>>> Outcome.
>>> In the assessment sheet nearly 25 marks of the 50 are devoted to
> the
>>> network diagram. This makes it tough to report accurately to VCAA
> just
>>> what your students have received, in terms of the balance of
> 40/10.
>>> Task 2 (network diagram) must be for the proposed new system and
> this
>>> document requires the student to diagram the current and the new.
>>> Sure, you can do that but it isn't necessary.
>>>
>>> I notice also that there are marks given to presentation of the
> report.
>>> IMHO I would put those marks into a more finely-grained assessment
> of
>>> all the other Key Skills required in this Outcome.
>>>
>>> Just an opinion.
>>>
>>> Maggie
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au
>>> [mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Mark Kelly
>>> Sent: Wednesday, 5 March 2008 8:36 AM
>>> To: Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
>>> Subject: Re: [Year 12 SofDev] RE: Ross from Sunbury College
>>>
>>> If the task extended across the holidays, make sure the remaining
> part
>>> is not given to them beforehand so they can't pre-produce stuff.
>>>
>>> Claudia Graham wrote:
>>>> Hi Ross,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Re the practice SAC not sure who's that is so can't help there
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Regarding the use of the internet not something I have done or
> would
>>> do,
>>>> for me it would be too hard to 'patrol'. But as long as all
> students
>>>> have the same conditions it doesn't matter (mind you I don't have
> a
>>>> study design or assessment hand book beside me to check re
>>>> conditions)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Same for the time frame, I assume you mean a lesson or two prior
> to
>>> the
>>>> holidays and then some after (or similar), not something I would
> do
>>> just
>>>> for authentication purposes. I would do it all in a few lessons;
> I
>>> don't
>>>> even like weekends between assessment lessons if I can help it.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Claudia Graham
>>>>
>>>> Overnewton College
>>>>
>>>> Keilor
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> --
>>>> *From:* sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au
>>>> [mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Ogilvie,
> Ross
>>>> A
>>>> *Sent:* 4 March 2008 7:50 PM
>>>> *To:* sofdev at edulists.com.au
>>>> *Subject:* Ross from Sunbury College
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hi all,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> In regard to SD I have a couple of questions.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 1. I have given my class a **Practice SAC** called **Shagadelic
>>>> Carpets** (refer to attachment) (hope the author is OK with
> this).
>>>> My
>>>> question is....does anyone have the solutions so I can check if I
> am
>>> on
>>>> the right track.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 2. When I give my students the actual SAC:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> i. Can/should they access the internet.
>>>>
>>>> ii. Would there be a problem (in Vic) if the SAC extended
> through
>>> the
>>>> Term One holiday period into Term Two.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Kindest Regards
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> **Ross Ogilvie **
>>>>
>>>> **LSF ICT Leader **
>>>>
>>>> **Sunbury**** College**
>>>>
>>>> **30 Racecourse Rd****, Sunbury 3429**
>>>>
>>>> **Ph (W) 9744 1066 **
>>>>
>>>> ** (H) 54272843**
>>>>
>>>> **Bookmarks: http://del.icio.us/Ross1956**
>>>>
>>>> **Wiki: http://ross1956.wikispaces.com/**
>>>> --
>>>> Mark Kelly
>>> --
>>> Mark Kelly
>> --
>> Mark Kelly
>
--
Mark Kelly
Manager - Information Systems
McKinnon Secondary College
McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia
Direct line / Voicemail: 8520 9085
School Phone +613 8520 9000
School Fax +613 95789253
kel AT mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
Webmaster - http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
IT Lecture notes: http://vceit.com
Moderator: IT Applications Mailing List
You'll know when we are officially a civilised race: our schools have
all the money they need and the Air Force has to run a chook raffle to
buy a new bomber.
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