[Year 12 SofDev] RE: OT - Philosophy & thinking + Algorithm question

Thu Nov 19 14:37:48 EST 2009

Hi Adrian et al,

Yes the focus of SD in the current guise is curious. This was my first 
and probably only time teaching it (no candidates for 2010) and I was 
quite shocked at first to realise how little of the assessment was 
focussed on writing software. I have found the current course to a 
little like painting about singing. What shocked me even more was 
running an exam revision session for our network of schools and finding 
out how few students across six schools could actually effectively write 
code, yet these same students could conceivably quite easily pass and 
pass well. A strange situation for a subject titled software 
development. I'll look forward to seeing the new design even though I'm 
not teaching it, in the hope that I may get another bunch of uber-geeks 
(bless 'em) through Year 11/12 in the future.

Brett Groves

Adrian Janson wrote:
>
> Hi Mike and others,
>
> I must also echo the disappointment that has been expressed concerning 
> the lack of algorithms on the SD exam. In any case, I suppose our 
> students are all in the same boat and in many respects – my class will 
> be worse off than many given the emphasis that I (personally) place on 
> programming.
>
> Certainly (and I don’t want to speak out of turn), those of us who 
> teach SD who were on the panel for the new study design have all been 
> very aware of the problems with the current study – which I personally 
> think is mainly one of focus. The new study design places the emphasis 
> firmly on SD and away from the system as a whole (although this is 
> still a consideration – of course). This should then also be reflected 
> in the exam – which should see an exam which is much more 
> ‘programming’ based than the current one. Speaking as an SD teacher – 
> and not as one of the members of the writing team - I am excited by 
> the new course and I think it will be well received by the SD community.
>
> I am happy to outline the main changes – if you have not seen these 
> already? There will be sessions at the VITTA conference on the new 
> study as well.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Adrian
>
> 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 *Fitzpatrick, 
> Michael
> *Sent:* Thursday, 19 November 2009 12:43 PM
> *To:* Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
> *Subject:* [Year 12 SofDev] RE: OT - Philosophy & thinking + Algorithm 
> question
>
> Hi
>
> I agree – hopefully the new course will help to remedy the lack of 
> algorithms.
>
> Mike
>
> Michael Fitzpatrick
>
>
> Timetabler for Middle and Senior School
>
> Senior School IT Studies Coordinator
>
> International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge Coordinator
>
> Carey Baptist Grammar School
> Kew Campus
> 349 Barkers Road Kew Victoria Australia 3101
>
>
> Telephone: +61 3 9816 1432
> Facsimile: +61 3 9816 1263
>
> Mobile: 0422 586 527
>
> www.carey.com.au
>
> *From:* sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au 
> [mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Poultney, Gordon A
> *Sent:* Thursday, 19 November 2009 11:58 AM
> *To:* Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
> *Subject:* OT - Philosophy & thinking + Algorithm question
>
> hi folks,
>
> I have volunteered to teach our year 7 SEAL group 'Philosophy & 
> Thinking' next year....
>
> and would dearly love ideas/course outline assistance from anyone at 
> your school who teaches a similar unit.
>
> thanks in anticipation
>
> gordon
>
> PS
>
> Finally had a good look at section C of the exam. It is pretty 
> disappointing in a unit called Software Development that the 
> algorithm/testing question was so dumbed down.
>
> No loop, no arrays, no file access.??
>
> With an explanantion of the terms, some of my year 10 Programming 
> students got 5/7.
>
> ----------------
> Gordon Poultney
> Horsham College
>
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