[Year 12 IT Apps] Task 3 I'm still confused

Mark Kelly kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
Thu Aug 2 13:23:41 EST 2007


Thanks, Paula.  That was a very useful guide, and the sample 
presentations help a lot.

And while you may not really be the VCAA, you are - to us  :-)

Christophersen, Paula P wrote:
> Dear Mark and colleagues
> 
> I assume that this email was directed at me, though it is a little
> presumptuous for me to say I am 'VCAA'.
> 
> I hope that this information is of some assistance.
> 
> The intention of task 3 is for students to demonstrate their thinking
> when solving this problem. It is designed to help them create their
> solution so it should be developed as their solution develops.
> 
> The task is not intended to be done at the end of the SAC - that would
> be the same as creating a design after you have finished the solution
> and product. It is a thinking exercise, which is used to help students
> make decisions about how they are meeting the needs of an organisation
> through the creation of their solution.
> 
> For the students and the teachers it shows the underpinnings of student
> thinking. It is an attempt to reveal how and why particular decisions
> are made by the student, rather than only revealing to you what actions
> were taken. Understanding one's thinking processes is such as valued
> skill in industry, and it supports the notion of lifelong learning.
> 
> Using whatever software students like, they can show/articulate, for
> example,
> . what problems/challenges/dilemmas are being faced (being a SAC they do
> not have to show every problem; this is important, because they only
> have to provide you with enough evidence for you to make an informed
> judgment - they do not have to sustain a performance)
> . what are the options for solving the problem
> . what are the consequences of the options, if selected.
> 
> It is important that students do not repeat this process for every
> decision.
> 
> It is not prescribed how this representation of thinking should be
> created. Students could use a graphic organiser template such as two
> that I am attaching (POOCH - problem, options, outcomes, choices; and
> Possibilities-Consequences-Decision); an organic tool such as a concept
> map/thinking map tool, such as the Intel 'seeing reason' [a cause and
> effect tool]; Rationale (AusThink) cmap, Inspiration etc. Students could
> word process their thinking representations or they could use a tool
> such as Visio.
> 
> As an example, a problem/challenge may have been what form of user
> documentation to use. Students could then list the possible options
> (maybe as text boxes, bubbles etc. For each option they would identify
> the likely outcomes if selected, and nominate (for example, through
> colour coding) their choice. etc
> 
> I am listing some further reading on visualising thinking for those who
> have the time or inclination. And, I also thank Antonia for the work
> that she has just posted on the list.
> 
> Further reading
> 
> Jonassen, D 1999, Computers as Mindtools for Engaging Critical Thinking
> and Representating Knowledge Keynote address.
> http://www.moe.gov.sg/edumall/mpite/edtech/papers/keynote_1.pdf
> 
> Jonassen, D 1998 'Constructivist Learning Environments on the Web:
> Engaging Students in Meaningful Learning'
> http://www.moe.gov.sg/edumall/mpite/edtech/papers/d1.pdf
> 
> Wong, P and Williams, M 1999, Beyond Drill and Practice: Exploring IT
> tools for thinking
> http://www.moe.gov.sg/edumall/mpite/edtech/abstract_h7.html
> 
> 
> Intel
> http://www97.intel.com/en/ThinkingTools/SeeingReason/Overview/
> http://www.intel.com/education/tools/benefits.htm
> 
> VCAA
> http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/support/graphic
> 
> Regards
> Paula
> 
> Paula Christophersen
> ICT Curriculum Manager
> Victorian Curriculum and Assessment
> Authority
> 41 St Andrews Place
> EAST MELBOURNE 3002
> Phone: 03 9651 4378
> Fax: 03 9651 4324
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Mark Kelly
> Sent: Thursday, 2 August 2007 10:51 AM
> To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Task 3 I'm still confused
> 
> I'm still rather disconcerted by the lack of support from VCAA to
> support this visual thinking innovation.
> 
> Sure, textbooks can guess what the VCAA might be asking of students, and
> 
> _I_ can guess what they mean, but we are all still guessing, and the
> VCAA still have not issued any kosher examples of what they really want
> from students.
> 
> Surely such examples would help teachers, just as the VCAA's practice
> exam questions did.
> 
> I think it's unfair to give teachers a vague instruction about a skill
> that most of us have never used before (visualising thinking) without
> explaining it in an authoritative manner.
> 
> Sadly, the perfect place for such explanation, the Advice For Teachers
> in the Study Design, is mute on the matter.
> 
> Has there been any official PD this year on this task?
> 
> Cheers
> Mark K
> 
> margaret.lawson at konstantkaos.net wrote:
>> Ok ....What we are working on is a visual thinking workbook that the
> kids
>> can use throughout the SAC to brainstorm and work through solutions as
>> part of Task 1 and 2. We have included a range of blank mindmaps,
> fishbone
>> diagrams and other thinking structures to assist them in choosing a
> tool
>> to develop their thinking for each of the Tasks in the SAC. For the
>> majority of the kids in our Y12 class, they have never used structured
>> thinking tools in this way before and many do not see how it fits in
> with
>> their preconceptions of IT.
>>
>> For Task 3, the students can use this "workbook" to produce their
> visual
>> representation using the software in a set period of time. Using
>> Inspiration or whatever tool you have access to.
>>
>> Where we are getting stuck is the metacognitive part of the SAC -
> thinking
>> about thinking - "evaluate all thinking strategies" is a large task -
> also
>> given the time that this task has to take, I think that it is unfair
> to
>> get the kids to evaluate ALL their strategies, but perhaps get them to
>> choose 2 or 3 of their visual thinking pathways and evaluate the
>> effectiveness of them.
>>
>> How does this sound?
>>
>> I must admit that scaffolding the course to allow the kids to
> understand
>> these concepts (we have quite a weak group) and allowing them the
> *time*
>> to learn the skills has been challenging. (But don't we all like the
>> challenge?) and looking at the way that other Year 12 subject
> introduce
>> new Course Designs, I am disappointed in the range of PD sessions that
>> have been available for teachers to attend.
>>
>> Next year (or the next time I teach ITA) the use of thinking skills
> will
>> be embedded from the VERY START so that when I get to this SAC, the
> kids
>> know a range of thinking tools, how to apply them and the
>> strengths/weaknesses of them.
>>
>> :)
>>
>> Margaret
>>
>> On Thu, August 2, 2007 9:41 am, Brendyn Hancock wrote:
>>> All
>>>
>>>
>>> "record visually the decisions made and actions taken when
>>> problem-solving"
>>>
>>> This to me sounds like a task that needs to be done at the same time
> as
>>> the problem solving methodology is being followed through. If this is
> the
>>> case then mind mapping tools are not really useful as they are best
> used
>>> up front in the analysis/design process.
>>>
>>> To me the skill required is best served with a diary type solution
>>> except for the fact that it says "record visually..."
>>>
>>> What's the point of drawing pictures or using icons etc to express a
>>> simple linear progression through the problem solving methodology. To
> me it
>>> feels like forcing a tool into an assessment task that does not
> really fit
>>> but "we have to put it some place...".
>>>
>>> A little cynical I know, but if anyone can help me understand better
>>> what is required I would appreciate it.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>>
>>> Brendyn
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Brendyn Hancock
>>> IT Manager
>>> bhancock at nagle.sale.catholic.edu.au
>>> ---------------------------------------------
>>> Nagle College
>>> 5152 6122
>>> Bairnsdale VIC 3875
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
> `*;~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> ~
>>>  Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If
>>> received in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before
> opening
>>> or using attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless
> of any
>>> loss, damage or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the
>>> sender or not, resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any
>>> attached files our liability is limited to resupplying any affected
>>> attachments. Any representations or opinions expressed are those of
> the
>>> individual sender, and not necessarily those of Nagle College,
> Bairnsdale.
>>>  _______________________________________________
>>> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
>>> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
>>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.auvce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html
> -
>>> Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
>>> http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology
> Teachers
>>> Association Inc
>>>
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
>> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.auvce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html
> - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
>> http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology
> Teachers Association Inc
>>
> 
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.auvce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html -
> Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
> http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology
> Teachers Association Inc
> 
> Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or using attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of any loss, damage or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not, resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any attached files our liability is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any representations or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender, and not necessarily those of the Department of Education.
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.auvce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
> http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc



More information about the itapps mailing list