[Year 12 IT Apps] Informatics - aaargh

Thu May 15 16:47:50 EST 2014

Hi all ,
            My 1.8 cents worth.
In short, I don't like the Informatics change!
In a little bit more detail;

*         My year 11's last year were bored with Data Visualisations and Infographics, the many who (like me) don't have an artistic bone in their body thought it was like moving IT into an Art classroom and were happiest when we got away from it and started on websites and/or programming.

*         I'm glad to see Project Management back in (probably my only tick in the changes)

*         I think the SAT is something that should stay in Art/DT type subjects. If we are going to have an assignment that goes over 2 outcomes, it needs to have more than being a data analyst. Also, I admit to not being a mathematician, but is it not just a trumped up version of the Bivariate Data SAC that is done in Further Maths?

*         Students that choose IT type subjects, I feel, generally like to create things, there's a lot of sitting around planning, designing and analysing and not much actual doing IT. Unless the student is into Photoshop Panit.NET or some other image creation software, then they are going to be fairly bored.

*         As another lister has posted, some information about hardware, setting up a computer and various trouble shooting material would be a much better option than a SAT on Data Analysis, yes, it moves into the VET realm, but to totally neglect actual computer knowledge in a year 12 computing course is criminal.

In its current plan, I don't see myself recommending it to my students, let alone offering myself up to teach it, the year 9 Health course Mark mentioned in a different post sounds much more exciting.
I'll hopefully be able to convince enough to go with the meatier Software Development course, but it will be a shame to lose the course that offers something IT related for the kids that aren't looking for an IT career, just some good IT understanding.

Well that's my turn on the soap box, now to fit all that into a survey......
Cheers
Damien

Damien Atkinson-Buck
Head of Learning Area: Technology/Arts

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From: Leo Keith [mailto:lkeith at distance.vic.edu.au]
Sent: Tuesday, 13 May 2014 10:22 AM
To: itapps at edulists.com.au
Subject: [Year 12 IT Apps] Informatics - aaargh

I completely agree with Mark re : Informatics and gave draft feedback to that effect.

I feel that the name "Informatics" will turn students away and the content contains little that will appeal. It seems a confusing contradiction that portfolio based assessment is being introduced at the same time as the key skills and knowledge become more dry and theoretical.

Like Margaret I don't have a problem with the emphasis on database work (I already teach databases in both Units 3 & 4 as my students quite like them) but I'm worried the increased emphasis on data analysis and project management will give students little to sink their teeth into.

I would salvage ITA/Informatics by making it a subject based around web development. It could even be called "Web Development" to draw in the crowds. I think most of the draft key skills and knowledge could be retained in this case with a couple of minor tweaks.

*         the AOS on databases could have a focus on back-end development

*         the AOS which includes website analysis and visual design could focus on front end development

*         the web emphasis would put the project management and data analysis in an authentic, appealing, context

*         the subject would be "sellable to students"

This is how I have tried to teach ITA and I suppose I will try to coerce Informatics into a similar form but it doesn't look like it is going to be an easy subject to make appealing for students or teachers.

On a sidenote I'm pretty happy with the draft for Software Dev and am ambivalent about the draft for 11 Information Technology.

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