[vet-mm] re: 2006 exam

Fri Nov 17 00:20:50 EST 2006

Hi folks
I'm a bit late coming into this discussion, but I must say it's provided a
couple of fascinating hours of reading. 
I think it goes without saying that all areas of competence should be
equally tested.
I tend to sit on the design side of the fence and have to thank Peter Fowler
for his concise articulation of the design argument. So much so, that I'm
not going to add anything on the subject. 
Instead I would rather reinforce the need for a balanced integration of
skills in regard to the introductory skills at this level of training. 
We are fortunate at Northland to have both CertII & III operating in the one
room at the same time. I come from a design /print b/g and my colleague has
expertise in IT and online delivery. We share skills and delivery across
Certs.
In an industry that is essentially viewed as Visual Communication, it is
essential that it communicates effectively and is harmonious in it's design.

In a nut shell; No body want to access product that has all the bells and
whistles, if it's difficult to navigate and it's just plain ugly.
It reminds me of the Simpsons episode where Homer designs Uncle Herbs
comeback car. No good American male could want any thing more in a car, but
damn it's ugly!
I feel as though we have the responsibility at this level of training to set
the foundations of good Visual Design, with a balanced understanding of
basic technical issues. This can be built upon in further specialized study.
Most tertiary study seems to go back to basics and don't appear to expect
too much prior specialized knowledge.
I also work in the Cert IV Design Studies program at the school, where the
emphasis is quite different to MM but closely related at the same time. We
always have several students who choose to enter tertiary study in MM after
graduating. The Uni's are always eager to select them based upon their
design skills, producing a high success rate for students who choose that
pathway. These students usually select electives such as Photo Imaging,
Illustration/Motion  and Graphic Design. Some students have even been
selected on the strength of their traditional Illustration and Life Drawing
ability.(more for Animation) 
Hopefully we achieve a good middle ground and fill students with enthusiasm
for creating professional looking product that work well.
I look forward to reading the proposed changes to the package. 
In the meantime, hope all your students did well and all the best for next
year.
Mark Russell

Ps. I quick shameless plug (but related to course content)
Design Studies is holding its Annual Exhibition
Dec 7th,8th &9th
Northcote Town Hall
High st Northcote
10 -4pm daily
Further details
http://www.northlandsc.vic.edu.au/designstudies/index.html

-----Original Message-----
From: vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
On Behalf Of Mclean, Rachelle L
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006 3:49 PM
To: VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: RE: RE: [vet-mm] re: 2006 exam

It is so true Marylou.  We need to have more indepth IT stuff taught in
the lower levels to bring kids up to speed.  I have found that when I
have taught it to these lower year levels the kids really love it too.
I guess all we can do on this one is keep nagging our timetablers, etc
to give the kids more ICT.

Rachelle

-----Original Message-----
From: vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of
monaghmc at mlc.vic.edu.au
Sent: Thursday, 16 November 2006 1:14 PM
To: vet-mm at edulists.com.au
Subject: RE: RE: [vet-mm] re: 2006 exam

I have just caught up with this discussion and it is very interesting. I
also believe like many others that in the limited time we have to teach
programming we cannot expect all of our students to get to the level of
understanding that was expected in this year's exam. But as some people
have pointed out these questions will help sort out the students
results.

Rachelle's comments yesterday and today bring up a much bigger problem
that we face as Multimedia teachers. Today's students, in many cases do
not do any formal IT subjects until they start their Certificate II in
Multimedia. With the current educational thinking at the moment that IT
is to be integrated across the curriculum and  not taught as a separate
subject we get students with little exposure to the fundamentals of IT.
In year 11 we need to get students competent with fundamentals such as
file management and software techniques. This leaves little time to
start scripting. In year 12 over a limited number of weeks students are
expected to become proficient in a programming language.

I know I am bringing up a point that has been discussed many times on
both IT lists and Multimedia lists. But, there would be outrage if
students could wait until year 11 to start Maths or a language. 

Regards
Marylou

----------------------------------------------
Marylouise Monaghan
Assistant VET Coordinator
Methodist Ladies' College
207 Barkers Road, Kew Vic 3101, Australia
(03)92746342
monaghmc at mlc.vic.edu.au
www.mlc.vic.edu.au

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