Grade 12 U/C Computer Technology Feedback
From ACSEWiki
GRADE 12 COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
OVERALL: I strongly feel that this course cannot remain as is. Either it needs to be moved into the Computer Document and modified to reflect that emphasis, or the course needs to be split into two. One with a workplace/electronics/technology emphasis that can remain in tech and a second focussed on Computers and Control Systems that should be placed in the Computer Document. All of my feedback should be seen in this light.
STRANDS No real problems. I'd like to remove the word 'Refining' from the second strand leaving it just "Computer Technology Skills".
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
a) Environmental Stewardship and Societal Implications - we all hated the redundancy with ergonomics. Unfortunately, it looks like that's been removed only to be replaced by this beast. All of the requirements in this section (except 1.3) are identical to the Grade 11 document with the word 'describe' being replaced by 'analyze'. This is really weak. Instead, I'd like each year to focus on a subset of these issues.
b) Computer technology Fundamentals Programming Concepts has completely disappeared from the Technology Fundamentals section. I don't agree with this. All three of the specific expectations from the old document are important and a general expectation with corresponding specific expectations should be added to the new document. They do have a 'compare' expectation in the Skills section. But that doesn't logically belong there. It should be in Fundamentals.
SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS a) Computer Technology Fundamentals -> 6: configure OS As per my comment in the Grade 11, this is the appropriate level to add a 'configuration' requirement. However, the expectation reads 'of various platforms and devices' implying multiple. The specific expectations require only one. This should be changed to something like 'configure operating systems on a platform or device'. Also, this name does not correspond well with the name given to it later on 'Software Knowledge'. Finally, 'configuring' to me is a skill not a fundamental. It's in the wrong strand.
b) Computer Technology Fundamentals -> Information Representation -> 3.2 This expectation is too weak. I'd like to add the word 'multiple' as well as the examples 'Full Adder and Half Adder'. I think at this level it is important for students to understand these constructs. Again I have a philosophical program with a requirement to 'build' being in Fundamentals and not Skills.
c) Computer technology Fundamentals -> Design -> 4.2 This expectation for solving circuits seems as though it should be given emphasis codes.
d) Refining Computer Technology Skills -> Software Solutions Specific Expectations needed to be added (or added back) i) The need to have appropriate documentation (if it's not here, we can't grade it) ii) The need to Debug assembly/machine programs. The old terminology was to trace in assembly. Trace perhaps could be an example.
e) I usually focus on what needs to be changed. But I just wanted to say thanks for Careers->2.5 Being able to evaluate work habits, especially for this course is important.
michael roy-diclemen
I would score a +1 overall on the expectations for this course.
I would like to see some of the physical building of electronics devices which require soldering irons and safety procedures removed from the main course expectations and moved into the emphasis areas. This would allow a computer teacher the ability to teach this course using electronic circuit simulators (such as Tina or Electronic Workbench) and safe hardware (such as lego robots).
Specifically the expectations I would remove (in the Refining Computer Technology Skills Strand) are: 1.2 ; 1.3 ; 4.2
I also question whether the physical Network setup expectations should be part of this course since they are covered in the workplace courses. Specifically (Refining Computer Technology Skills) 5.1 ; 5.2 ; 5.3
Dana Deuitch
I give a response of +2 to the expectations expressed for grade 12 courses.
Although I am currently a student teacher, I have also recently graduated from an engineering undergraduate program. (In the past 5 years) My response to this question is based on the relevance I see in the curriculum expectations with respect to what I have recently encountered in my university engineering courses.
I think the expectations covered by this course will definitely provide adequate preparation for a student entering either an electrical or computer engineering program.
Jon Golin
