[Year 12 SofDev] SD Exam - Question 4

[Mark KELLY]

Thanks, Don.  If we can't trust the examiners to correctly use words that
are defined in the glossary, whom can we trust?

On 17 November 2010 22:58, Don Morelli (Optus)
<da_morelli at optusnet.com.au>wrote:

> Thanks Mark for the time and effort in putting together the UML work
> together. You have made it easier for a lot of us.
>
> I agree that the phrasing of the question was bad, as I assume that they
> did not mean effective in the way that we would “normally” use it. Maybe
> they should have said “the most logical order” to minimize unnecessary steps
>  being carried out.
>
>
>
> However, on thinking over it again we are giving error messages to users
> and just getting the message
>
>
>
> You must enter some data is more effective in conveying the message as to
> the actual error, than what I think the reverse of the correct answer would
> yield in error messages
>
>
>
> What you entered is not in the database
>
> You have not entered the correct number of digits
>
> Make sure you only enter numbers and not alphanumerics
>
> You must enter some input
>
>
>
> So maybe you could argue that the question is OK??? Do any others think
> that this is what they meant by effective (in succinctly getting the message
> across as to what you had actually done wrong)
>
> Also confused, but I might be confused about that
>
> Don
>
>
>
> *From:* sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:
> sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Mark KELLY
> *Sent:* Wednesday, 17 November 2010 1:11 PM
>
> *To:* Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
> *Subject:* [Year 12 SofDev] SD Exam - Question 4
>
>
>
> Hi all.  I've started getting a bee in my bonnet (or a terrier in my
> trousers) about Section C, Q4.
>
> *Percy is writing the program specification. For the section dealing with
> entry of the Medicare number he writes*
>
> *If the user makes a mistake entering the Medicare number, the program has
> to provide as much information as possible about what is wrong. Therefore
> include these validation tests.*
>
> *Length - to make sure that the correct number of characters has been
> entered*
> *Existence - to make sure that the number entered exists on Medicare's
> database*
> *Null - to make sure something has been entered*
> *Type - to make sure that only numeric characters have been entered*
>
> *Note: These tests must be performed in the most effective order.*
>
> *
> a. Place these validation tests in the most effective order. 1 mark
>
> Then students have to give 3 reasons why it's the most effective way of
> doing those tests. (3 marks)
>
> *
> Hmm. What is "effective" about the order? It must relate to *how well* it
> does the job of finding invalid numbers.
>
> But if *all 4 tests* are going to be conducted, any order of the 4 tests
> will yield *exactly the same* results.
>
> It might be different if we wanted to find invalid numbers *soonest,* or
> with the *minimum number of tests*, but they are *efficiency* criteria,
> not effectiveness.
>
> I'm seriously starting to believe that this is a Bull Mastiff of a
> question... All orders must be equally effective.
>
> I can usually work out what the examiners were *probably* trying to get
> at, but this one has me completely baffled (like multichoice Q3 on the ITA
> paper).
> I have no idea whatsoever of what knowledge the examiners are hoping I will
> show.
>
> So, can anyone please tell me:
>
> 1. how one order can be *more effective* than another.
> 2. what order is most effective, and why the *reverse order* would be less
> effective!
>
> Growl.
>
> Mark
> --
> Mark Kelly
> Manager Information Systems
> Reporting Manager
> IT Learning Area Manager
>
> McKinnon Secondary College
> McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204
> Victoria, Australia
> Direct line / Voicemail: +613 8520 9085
> Fax +613 9578 9253
> kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
>
> VCE IT Lecture Notes: http://vceit.com
> Moderator: IT Applications Edulist
>
> My cow died on this day two years ago.  I know because I noted it in my
> dairy.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, Subscribe, Unsubscribe
> IT Software Development Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
> and
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/softwaredevel3-4.html
> http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers
> Association Inc
>



-- 
Mark Kelly
Manager Information Systems
Reporting Manager
IT Learning Area Manager

McKinnon Secondary College
McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204
Victoria, Australia
Direct line / Voicemail: +613 8520 9085
Fax +613 9578 9253
kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au

VCE IT Lecture Notes: http://vceit.com
Moderator: IT Applications Edulist

My cow died on this day two years ago.  I know because I noted it in my
dairy.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.edulists.com.au/pipermail/sofdev/attachments/20101118/52be3f17/attachment.html