Unit 3: IT applications

Units 3 and 4 are designed to be taken as a sequence.

In Unit 3, students use web authoring and database management software to solve information problems.

In Unit 4, they use web authoring or multimedia authoring software as well as spreadsheet software to solve information problems.

Additional software can be used to support the development of solutions and information products, for example, image editing software, such as Macromedia Flash and Adobe PhotoShop.

Unit 3 focuses on how individuals or organisations use ICT to solve information problems and to participate actively in a society where use of ICT is commonplace. Students acquire and apply knowledge and skills in solving information problems to assist in decision-making and in managing tasks and timelines. The solutions and information products should meet the specific needs of organisations such as sporting clubs, newsagencies, charities, or the needs of individuals. Students also explore how the capabilities of networked information systems support teams of workers or learners to solve problems and share knowledge.

For Unit 3 Outcome 1 students must use database management software to solve information problems.
For Unit 3 Outcome 2 students use web authoring software to create prototypes of websites.

ITA Unit 3 - Area of Study 1 - Problem-solving

When using ICT to solve information problems, students apply a problem-solving methodology comprising the stages of analysing, designing, developing, testing, implementing and evaluating, and use techniques and procedures to efficiently and effectively process and manage data, information and files. The problem-solving stage of documenting is not addressed in this area of study. In the developing stage, students use database management software to create solutions and information products that utilise a relational database. They create effective user interfaces, apply mathematical calculations to data, create macros to perform repetitive tasks, construct queries and sorts, and create reports that assist in decision-making.

Students develop knowledge of strategies and techniques for managing projects, including planning and monitoring tasks, time and resources. The project plans must be developed in the designing stage of the problem-solving methodology.

Students are presented with design briefs, which describe the decision-making needs of audiences, organisations or individuals within organisations, and their current information-processing practices.

ITA Unit 3 Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to propose and apply project management and problem-solving strategies to produce a solution and an information product, using database management software, which meets the decision-making needs of a specific audience.

To achieve this outcome the student will draw on knowledge and related skills outlined in area of study 1.

ITA U3O1 Key knowledge

• KK3.1.01 - project management strategies for coordinating the creation of solutions and information products;
• KK3.1.02 - types of decisions made in organisations, including strategic, tactical and operational;
• KK3.1.03 - characteristics of audiences;
• KK3.1.04 - a problem-solving methodology involving analysis, design, development, testing, implementation and evaluation;
• KK3.1.05 - purposes of databases and their applications in a range of settings;
• KK3.1.06 - capabilities and limitations of database management software to manipulate data;
• KK3.1.07 - structure of databases, including fields, records, tables;
• KK3.1.08 - naming conventions to support efficient use of databases;
• KK3.1.09 - advantages and limitations of flat file databases and relational databases;
• KK3.1.10 - data types and data formats;
• KK3.1.11 - characteristics of effective user interfaces;
• KK3.1.12 - design tools including Input-Process-Output charts, data tables, structure charts, annotated diagrams/mock-ups, layout diagrams;
• KK3.1.13 - techniques for validating and efficiently processing data;
• KK3.1.14 - procedures for effectively managing the production and handling of data and information;
• KK3.1.15 - formats and conventions applied in the creation of information products in order to meet their purposes;
• KK3.1.16 - techniques for testing solutions and information products, and testing for user acceptance;
• KK3.1.17 - criteria for evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of solutions and information products

ITA U3O1 Key skills

• KS3.1.01 - analyse current information-processing practices in order to identify the nature of the problems, the requirements of the information products in order to meet the identified decision-making needs, and the constraints of the solution;
• KS3.1.01 - select and apply appropriate design tools to represent the input requirements, the processing steps and the output requirements;
• KS3.1.01 - prepare project management plans and monitor the progress of the projects;
• KS3.1.01 - use database management software and apply suitable functions, formats, conventions, data validation and testing techniques to efficiently process data and produce effective products;
• KS3.1.01 - evaluate how the efficiency of the solutions and the effectiveness of the products meet identified decision-making needs.

ITA Unit 3 Area of Study 2

Organisations: Networks and collaborative problem-solving

Students develop knowledge of types of networks, network architecture and protocols, and the functions and characteristics of network operating systems. They develop knowledge and understandings of how networks enable the sharing of files, the sending and receiving of communications, the sharing of resources to support these applications, and the protection of data and information used by virtual teams.

Students demonstrate their understandings of these applications by designing websites and creating working prototypes of these websites. This entails using design representation tools to show the appearance and information architecture of the complete website, but only producing, through the use of web authoring software, those parts that support the two identified applications, namely, collaborative problem-solving and the sharing of knowledge.

Students develop and apply knowledge and skills in designing high-quality user interfaces and effective information architecture; and in using web authoring software. Additional software can be used to support the development of websites.

Students identify the network requirements for both the organisations and individual users, who are part of the virtual team, that are needed to support the applications of knowledge sharing and collaborative problem solving. Examples of network requirements include security devices, transmission media and operating systems.

Students respond to a scenario that describes the nature of the organisation, its goals and current practices regarding:

· decision-making and knowledge sharing personnel responsible for problem-solving

· current file management practices

· data security procedures and states:

· circumstances that require the sharing of knowledge

· membership of the virtual team

· information needs of the virtual team.

A list of minimum software capabilities or equivalents suitable for web authoring and multimedia authoring software will be published annually by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority in the VCAA Bulletin.

ITA Unit 3 Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to design, create and evaluate a prototype website that meets an organisation's needs of sharing knowledge and collaborative problem-solving within a virtual team environment, and explain the requirements of the networked information system that supports the use of this website.

To achieve this outcome the student will draw on knowledge and related skills outlined in area of study 2.

ITA U3O2 Key knowledge

• KK3.2.01 - organisational goals and objectives and how these can be achieved through networked information systems;
• KK3.2.02 - an overview of types and characteristics of networks, and functions of network operating systems;
• KK3.2.03 - types of information systems and settings in which they are used;
• KK3.2.04 - suitability of types of transmission media to support local and remote communication, including cabling and wireless links;
• KK3.2.05 - characteristics of collaborative problem-solving practices and knowledge sharing practices within virtual teams;
• KK3.2.06 - design elements that influence the presentation of on-screen information products;
• KK3.2.07 - characteristics of high-quality user interfaces and effective information architecture of websites;
• KK3.2.08 - design tools for representing websites including storyboards, annotated diagrams/mock-ups, layout diagrams, site maps;
• KK3.2.09 - techniques and procedures for manipulating information in order to create working prototype websites;
• KK3.2.10 - techniques and procedures for managing and transmitting files used in a virtual team environment including encryption, access hierarchy, regular backups, virus-detection software, classifying and naming files into appropriate directories/folders, version control;
• KK3.2.11 - criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of websites.

ITA U3O2 Key skills

• KS3.2.01 - identify the needs of the virtual team;
• KS3.2.02 - select and apply appropriate tools and techniques to represent the user interfaces and information architecture of websites;
• KS3.2.03 - select and apply appropriate design features for websites;
• KS3.2.04 - use web authoring software and select and apply suitable functions, formats and conventions to produce prototypes of websites;
• KS3.2.05 - apply techniques and procedures for effectively managing the production and handling and protection of data and information;
• KS3.2.06 - apply criteria to evaluate the extent to which the prototypes meet the needs of the organisation;
• KS3.2.07 - describe and justify the hardware and software network requirements of the organisation to support the virtual teams;
• KS3.2.08 - describe the hardware and software that is required by individual members of the virtual team to participate in knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving in the virtual environment.

ITA Unit 3 ASSESSMENT

Outcome 1 (50 marks)

Propose and apply project management and problem-solving strategies to produce a solution and an information product, using database management software, which meets the decision-making needs of a specific audience

Task 1 - A solution and information product in response to a design brief. Students annotate the solution and information product to indicate how the identified decision-making needs are met (40 marks)

And

Task 2 - A project management report that includes the management plan and a record of progress, created using software tools (10 marks)

Outcome 2 (50 marks)

Design, create and evaluate a prototype website that meets an organisation's needs of sharing knowledge and collaborative problem-solving within a virtual team environment, and explain the requirements of the networked information system that supports the use of this website.

Task 1 - A Prototype website (30 marks)

And

Task 2 - One of the following that focuses on the evaluation of the prototype and the recommended network requirements for the organisation and one team member: (20 marks)

· a test
· a written report.

Unit 4: IT applications

This unit focuses on how ICT is used by organisations to solve ongoing information problems and in the strategies to protect the integrity of data and security of information. Students develop and acquire knowledge and skills in creating solutions and information products using spreadsheet software that can be re-used in the future with new sets of data.

When solving information problems, students apply all of the problem-solving stages: analysis, design, development, testing, documentation, implementation and evaluation. Students apply their ICT knowledge and skills to record their decision-making strategies when solving information problems and to reflect on the effectiveness of these strategies.

In this unit students explore how organisations manage the storage, communication and disposal of data and information in order to minimise threats to the integrity of data and security of information, and to optimise efficient information handling.

Students are required to use two types of software for Outcome I: spreadsheet and web authoring or multimedia authoring.

ITA Unit 4 - Area of Study 1

Organisations and information needs

When solving ongoing information problems experienced in organisations, students develop knowledge of how information systems enable information needs to be met. Through the application of ICT techniques and procedures and a problem-solving methodology, ongoing solutions are developed that support the goals of these systems. Students also develop knowledge and skills in producing user documentation that supports solutions, whose use are ongoing.

Solutions with an ongoing capacity to process new sets of data are created using spreadsheet software, and on-screen user documentations are created using software such as web authoring or multimedia authoring. Students can use any appropriate software when retracing and analysing the decisions made and actions taken when problem-solving.

ITA Unit 4 Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to use spreadsheet software to solve an ongoing information problem, taking into account the information needs of an organisation, and evaluate the effectiveness of their problem-solving strategies.

To achieve this outcome the student will draw on knowledge and related skills outlined in area of study 1.

ITA U4O1 Key knowledge

• KK4.1.01 - types of decisions made in organisations, including strategic, tactical and operational;
• KK4.1.02 - goals of organisations and information systems;
• KK4.1.03 - role of hardware and software components of information systems;
• KK4.1.04 - a problem-solving methodology involving analysis, design, development, testing, documentation, implementation and evaluation;
• KK4.1.05 - reasons why information problems occur;
• KK4.1.06 - design tools for representing solutions and information products;
• KK4.1.07 - techniques and procedures for efficiently and effectively processing data to create solutions and information products that meet specific needs, including the application of formats and conventions, the validation of data and the testing of the solutions;
• KK4.1.08 - criteria for evaluating the efficiency and the effectiveness of solutions and information products;
• KK4.1.09 - content and types of on-screen user documentation including quick start guide, tutorial, content sensitive help and manual;
• KK4.1.10 - design elements that influence the appearance of information presented on-screen, including proportion, orientation, clarity and consistency, colour and contrast, usability and accessibility, appropriateness and relevance;
• KK4.1.11 - characteristics of high-quality user interfaces and effective information architecture of on-screen information products;
• KK4.1.12 - techniques for visually representing the decisions to be made and actions taken when problem­ solving;
• KK4.1.13 - criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the decisions made and actions taken when problem solving.

ITA U4O1 Key skills

• KS4.1.01 - identify the goals of information systems and explain how the systems enable the creation of the information needed by organisations;
• KS4.1.02 - analyse current information-processing practices in order to identify the nature of the problems, the requirements of the ongoing solutions and the constraints;
• KS4.1.03 - select and apply appropriate tools and techniques to represent the input requirements, the processing steps and the output requirements of solutions and information products, and the on-screen user documentation;
• KS4.1.04 - use spreadsheet software and apply suitable functions, formats, conventions, data validation and testing techniques to efficiently and effectively produce solutions and information products for ongoing information problems;
• KS4.1.05 - use web authoring or multimedia authoring software to create on-screen user documentation;
• KS4.1.06 - evaluate how the solutions, information products and user documentation meet the information needs of organisations;
• KS4.1.07 - record visually the decisions made and actions taken when problem-solving;
• KS4.1.08 - evaluate the effectiveness of problem-solving strategies.

ITA Unit 4 - Area of Study 2

Data and information security

Data and information must be protected from accidental and deliberate actions that compromise the integrity and/or security of data and information. Students develop knowledge and understandings of the nature of these transgressions and actions, and the procedures and technology that are most appropriate for protecting the integrity of data and the security of information. This area of study also provides students with the opportunity to examine key legal obligations of organisations and individuals with respect to the storage, communication and disposal of information, and to consider ethical dilemmas faced by organisations and individuals regarding privacy of information.

ITA Unit 4 Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies used by an organisation to manage the storage, communication and disposal of data and information, and recommend improvements.

To achieve this outcome the student will draw on knowledge and related skills outlined in area of study 2.

ITA U4O2 Key knowledge

• KK4.2.01 - an overview of the legal and ethical reasons why organisations should monitor and control the storage, communication and disposal of information;
• KK4.2.02- accidental and deliberate actions and technical failures that threaten the security of data and information stored, communicated and disposed of by organisations;
• KK4.2.03 - procedures and equipment for preventing unauthorised access to data and information and for minimising the loss of data accessed by authorised users;
• KK4.2.04 - possible consequences for organisations of the violation of, or failure to follow, security measures;
• KK4.2.05 - disaster recovery strategies, including testing;
• KK4.2.06 - criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of data security management strategies.

ITA U4O2 Key skills

• KS4.2.01 - outline the relevant legal obligations of the organisation with respect to how it stores, communicates and disposes of information;
• KS4.2.02 - outline any guidelines used by the organisation to resolve ethical dilemmas;
• KS4.2.03 - propose criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedures and equipment used by organisations;
• KS4.2.04 - describe the nature of threats to the integrity of data and security of information;
• KS4.2.05 - evaluate the consequences of violation of, or failure to follow, security measures for organisations;
• KS4.2.06 - recommend strategies to prevent future accidental and deliberate actions and equipment malfunctions from threatening organisations' data and information.

ITA Unit 4 ASSESSMENT

Outcome 1 (60 marks)

Use spreadsheet software to solve an ongoing information problem, taking into account the information needs of an organisation, and evaluate the effectiveness of their problem-solving strategies.

Task 1 - A solution and information product in response to a design brief. Students annotate the solution and information product to indicate how the information needs of an organisation are met. (35 marks)

And

Task 2 - On-screen user documentation (15 marks)

And

Task 3 - A visual representation that retraces the decisions made and actions taken when problem solving, and evaluates the effectiveness of these strategies. (10 marks)

Outcome 2 (40 marks)

Evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies used by an organisation to manage the storage, communication and disposal of data and information, and recommend improvements. (40 marks)

One of the following:

· a written report
· a test
· an annotated visual representation.