ICT
VCE COMPUTING (PART 2)
Following on from our article in the previous newsletter, which highlighted changes to VCE Computing, Units 1 & 2, this article looks at changes to Units 3 & 4.
On successful completion of Units 1 & 2 of Applied Computing, students have a choice of study. We offer two courses at Units 3 & 4. Data Analytics and Software Development.
Data Analytics Units 3 & 4 - This course was previously Informatics. Course structure is the same, but each Area of Study has been updated to reflect inevitable changes in IT.
Unit 3, AOS1 - Data Analytics - This follows on from Unit 1, AOS1. Using more sophisticated software, students extract data from large data sets, manipulate the data in spreadsheets and databases before creating Infographics or dynamic data visualisations.
Unit 3, AOS2 - This is Part 1 of the student’s SAT (School Assessed Task), a fancy name for a project which will continue into the next AOS. Students propose their own Research Question before gathering data and designing a solution.
Unit 4, AOS1 - Part 2 of the SAT where students develop their designs into an Infographic or a dynamic data visualisation. Testing and evaluation is the final part of this AOS.
Unit 4, AOS2 - Cybersecurity - A key skill in today’s job market, students learn about keeping data and information secure in a networked environment. Legal and ethical issues are explored in this topic.
Software Development Units 3 & 4 - No name changes here and no changes to the structure of the course.
Unit 3, AOS1 - Programming - Students will use Visual Basic to learn more advanced skills in file handling, arrays, searching and sorting.
Unit 3, AOS2 - Part 1 of the SAT, students find a client in the real world to develop a software solution for. Students analyse the current system before designing a solution.
Unit 4, AOS2 - Part 2 of the SAT, students develop their solution in Visual Basic, test and evaluate their solution.
Unit 4, AOS2 - Cybersecurity - Students focus on the security risks to data during the software development process and the security issues around how software is used. Encryption and other strategies are examined.
In both courses, Unit 3, AOS1 and Unit 4, AOS2 are SACs, which are worth 10% of the student’s final Study Score. Unit 3, AOS2 and Unit 4, AOS1 form the SAT, which is worth 30% of the final Study Score. Final examinations are worth 50%.
Pathways - We encourage students to complete Units 1 & 2 before enrolling in either of the Unit 3/4 courses, however, high achieving students currently in Year 10, may select a Unit 3/4 course for study in their Year 11, without having completed Units 1 & 2.
Students in Year 11 who have completed Units 1 & 2 may study either, or both Software Development and Data Analytics in Year 12.
For more information, contact Mr Munro.
NCSS CHALLENGE
It is so encouraging to see how many students are taking part in this years’ challenge. The challenges are released at 8 am each Monday morning and it was amazing to see that by the second week, some really keen students had already started this before school began! At the moment, leading the way in the Beginners challenge are Evia Gallo and Helen Chen from Year 7. Both these students finished the first week in record time and had already started Week 2 before coming to school. Leading the way at Intermediate level is Michael Yang closely followed by Kevin Yu, both of Year 10.
Shirley Munro
ICT Teacher