Unit+1+&+2+Summary

Adapted from the VCAA IT Study Design by Laureen Barnard Copyright © VCAA

What are outcomes and key knowledge? The VCE course comprises **outcomes**, which are assessment tasks to assess students' knowledge and skills relating to the //Areas of Study// specified by the VCAA for each course.

=Unit 1: Information Technology in Action=

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this unit.

Scope of the unit
This unit focuses on how individuals and organisations use, and can be affected by, information and communications technology (ICT) in their daily lives. Each part of the course examines and uses a range of hardware and software suited to the topic being studied. All topics are studied within real-life contexts and situations.
 * Students acquire and apply a range of knowledge and skills to manipulate different data types such as numeric, text, sound and images to create information products that satisfy various needs.
 * They examine how networked information systems allow data to be exchanged locally and within a global environment, and explore how mobile devices, such as phones are used within these networks.
 * Students also explore how their lives are affected by ICT, and consider strategies for managing how ICT is applied to minimise the negatives and maximise the benefits.

Areas of study

 * From data to information**

In this area of study students develop and apply knowledge and skills in using spreadsheet software to manipulate numeric data. Students select relevant data, and apply functions and techniques to manipulate the data to produce information in graphic form which satisfies particular information needs.


 * Networks**

In this area of study students investigate how networked information systems allow data and information to be exchanged locally and within a global environment. This entails developing an understanding of the technology, procedures and people that are required to connect and maintain computers so that ideas, files, programs and resources can be shared. Students consider the advantages and disadvantages of using such networks, and explore how mobile devices are used within networks. This area of study provides students with the opportunity to understand ways in which the security of exchanged data and information can be compromised.
 * ICT in a global society**

In this area of study students develop understandings about how the applications of particular information and communications technology (ICT) can cause tensions and conflicts between users, developers and managers. This area of study involves consideration of contemporary issues within the following contexts: computer gaming, social networking, robotics, e-commerce and cloud computing.


 * Software tools**

Students study the following software tools in the various parts of this unit:
 * From Data to Information - Spreadsheet software
 * Networks - Diagram Drawing Software
 * ICT in a Global Society - Spreadsheet software, web authoring software, visualising thinking software, software for planning a project, software for conducting research surveys

Assessment

 * **Outcomes** || **School-Assessed Tasks** ||
 * Students will have satisfactorily completed this unit when they have demonstrated the specific set of outcomes listed below: ||
 * On completion of this unit the student should be able to select data from data sets, design solutions and use a range of spreadsheet functions to develop numerical and graphical solutions that meet specific information needs. || * identify the data needed and use spreadsheet software to efficiently manipulate data and produce effective graphic representations
 * explain why the solutions, including graphic representations, are suitable ||
 * On completion of this unit the student should be able to recommend a networked information system for a specific use and explain possible security threats to this networked information system. || * explain the limitations and strengths of networks to support the communication and storage of data and information using mobile devices
 * select and recommend networks suitable for specific uses with the aid of network diagrams
 * explain how actions, devices and events can threaten the security of data and information communicated and stored within networks. ||
 * On completion of this unit the student should be able to contribute collaboratively to the design and development of a website that presents an analysis of a contemporary ICT issue and substantiates the team’s point of view. || * select and acquire data and information from primary and secondary sources and analyse it using spreadsheet software
 * use ICT to document and monitor project plans when creating team solutions
 * analyse the causes and effects of the ICT issues using visualising thinking tools
 * use web authoring software to produce a website that presents the analysis of the issue ||


 * **Note:** In addition to the Assessment Tasks, students will be required to sit an end-of-semester written, but not a practical, examination. ||

=Unit 2: Information Technology Pathways=

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this unit.

Scope of the unit
This unit focuses on how individuals and organisations use ICT to meet a range of purposes. Students apply a range of knowledge and skills to create solutions to meet users’ needs. In this unit, students apply all stages of the problem-solving methodology when creating solutions. In particular
 * students select and analyse data from large repositories which is then used to create visualisation presentations to suit particular needs
 * students develop skills in using programming language software to solve small information problems and they investigate careers that involve the use of these skills
 * working in teams is an important and effective strategy for solving problems, and this strategy is applied to solve problems for clients in the community

Areas of study

 * Data analysis and visualisation**

In this area of study students develop knowledge and skills in using software tools to access and select authentic data from large data repositories, and in presenting the key aspects of the data in an appropriate visual form. Effective visual forms reduce the effort required by readers to interpret information and are clear, usable, relevant and attractive. Appropriate visual forms include graphs, charts, spatial relationships, maps, histograms and network diagrams. Sources of large data repositories include the Bureau of Meteorology, World Development Indicators, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the United Nations, the CSIRO and the OECD. Interactivity and the inclusion of dynamic data are key features of some visualisations. When developing these visualisations students will use the following tools: database software and specialised data visualisation software.
 * Programming and pathways**

In this area of study students develop knowledge and skills in using a programming language.

Students develop knowledge and skills in describing data types and data structures, and applying data representation methods. They develop knowledge and skills about methods and techniques for completing a series of small discrete tasks that use features of a programming language. Also students
 * keep an electronic record of the new knowledge and skills applied in each task, and reflect on their learning progress by evaluating the extent to which the knowledge and skills are successfully applied.
 * develop their understanding of the technical knowledge and skills associated with using programming or scripting languages by examining ICT career pathways, which focus on entry requirements to specific ICT jobs and the main roles and tasks involved in ICT jobs.
 * Tools, techniques and procedures**

In this area of study students apply all stages of the problem-solving methodology to create solutions to information problems for a chosen client by working in teams. Individual team members prepare designs for the solutions and collectively they consider the designs and select one, based on agreed criteria, and make adjustments, if appropriate. These designs are considered by the clients, who provide feedback to the teams. Any modifications suggested by the client are incorporated into the designs. Each student in a team will then individually follow the final design and develop parts of the solution which are combined to create the final solution. Team members record and monitor progress through shared electronic files using project management software.


 * Software tools**

Students study the following software tools in the various parts of this unit:
 * Data Analysis and Visualisation - Database software and data visualisation software
 * Programming and Pathways - A programming language (Visual Basic.Net)
 * Tools, Techniques and Procedures - Software for planning a project

Assessment

 * **Outcomes** || **Assignment Tasks** ||
 * Students will have satisfactorily completed this unit when they have demonstrated the specific set of outcomes listed below: ||
 * On completion of this unit the student should be able to apply the problem-solving methodology and use appropriate software tools to create data visualisations that meet particular information needs || * analyse information problems that require a visualisation solution
 * select appropriate sources of data and identify relevant data to solve the problem
 * using database and visualisation software select and apply a range of suitable functions to efficiently manipulate the data and develop different types of effective data visualisations
 * select appropriate techniques and apply criteria to determine the extent to which data visualisations meet users’ needs ||
 * On completion of this unit the student should be able to design, and develop using a programming language, solutions to a set of information problems;
 * also they record the learning progress made in the language electronically;
 * and explain possible career pathways that require the use of programming skills. || * represent design specifications for a set of small information problems and apply techniques for manipulating data and information using a programming language to solve these problems
 * apply testing techniques using test data to determine the success of the solutions
 * record in an electronic journal the new knowledge and skills applicable to each programming task, and evaluate how well they were applied
 * investigate ICT careers and pathways that require the use of programming or scripting languages. ||
 * On completion of this unit the student should be able to work collaboratively and apply the problem solving methodology to create an ICT solution for a client in the community after a number of consultations || * analyse an information problem for a client and prepare and follow plans that coordinate the tasks, people, resources and time required to develop a solution to the problem
 * devise and implement an evaluation strategy to determine the success of the solution ||


 * Note:** In addition to the Assessment Tasks, students will be required to sit an end-of-semester written, but not a practical, examination.

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