[Year 12 SofDev] An open letter re: the Software Development exam

[Russo, Frank R]

The Examiners report will be an interesting read Adrian.

When it comes out?

Frank Russo, ICT Teacher
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From: sofdev <sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au> On Behalf Of Adrian Janson
Sent: Wednesday, 29 January 2020 5:05 PM
To: Edulists - Year 12 Software Development <sofdev at edulists.com.au>
Subject: [Year 12 SofDev] An open letter re: the Software Development exam

Coming into a new study design and seeing the call for exam writers, it would be the perfect time to reflect on this study as a whole.

Last year, I had a strong Software Development class. Having taught Software Development since its inception (and no – don’t ask me how long it has been), I feel I have a pretty good handle on class ability. I’ve certainly had stronger classes, but I don’t think I have had a class of such even ability across the board. My best student had potential to get a 50 (as indeed probably the top 3 did) and my bottom student had strong 40 potential. Obviously this wasn’t my expectation, but it’s a useful measuring stick.

I’m not talking up my own ability, but I was very pleased with the year. We covered off everything in good order and (at times) in depth. Our exam preparation consisted of over 20 exam papers – and many I marked and gave personal feedback on. Like we all do – I left nothing on the table. And then came the exam….

As I said to my class in the revision sessions I ran, an easy exam would not be their friend. Sadly this was the case. My class went into the exam and I did the exam in time for them to come out. They were over the moon excited as they all felt they had aced it. I knew the reality – and that was that the exam was way too easy and that it would ultimately penalise those students across the state who had put the work in and reward those who had barely done anything.

I’ve always been an advocate for this subject – it’s my favourite subject to teach and the one that I find the most engaging. The SAT is terrific!! But an exam of this poor quality does nothing to raise the status of this subject. Actually – I think it actively damages it.

My students spent a large amount of time on code / algorithms. This was not out of proportion either – the AOS are filled with algorithms and coding content. That is the emphasis of the subject and the argument that some used to remove elements. Networking was removed – “it’s not software development”. The OSI model was removed – “it’s not software development”. Well that is fine – if the emphasis is on software development, the exam needs to reflect this. Rigour in the exam rewards those students that have a deep understanding of the study. The exam had barely any algorithm questions and those that were included were (seriously) of the standard that I would be teaching in Year 7 DigiTech. An exam such as this does damage in that future students don’t see the value in doing the subject. We are already fighting scaling – and we all know that parents and students ask us about this (it is often their first question).

The new Software Development study design looks good. There are things that we would all change, but it will continue to be an enjoyable subject to teach. But we must have an exam that is challenging and rigorous – otherwise, why have an exam at all?

I know others feel this way. Listen – as a teacher, you just want your students to have a fair shot and be rewarded for their efforts. The 2019 exam didn’t do this.

Kind regards,
Adrian
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