Standards Guide 2011 Applied Information Technology Stage 3

Applied Information Technology
Stage 3 Standards Guide

Exemplification of Standards through the 2011 WACE Examination
2012/01370
Copyright
School Curriculum and Standards Authority, 2012 This documentapart from any third party copyright material contained in itmay be freely copied, or communicated on an intranet, for noncommercial purposes by educational institutions, provided that it is not changed in any way and that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority is acknowledged as the copyright owner. Copying or communication for any other purpose can be done only within the terms of the Copyright Act or by permission of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. Copying or communication of any third party copyright material contained in this document can be done only within the terms of the Copyright Act or by permission of the copyright owners. Disclaimer Any resources such as texts, websites and so on that may be referred to in this document are provided as examples of resources that teachers can use to support their learning programs. Their inclusion does not imply that they are mandatory or that they are the only resources relevant to the course.
Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide
CONTENTS Introductory notes for Applied Information Technology Stage 3 Standards Guide 2011 ............................................ 4 Section One: Multiple-choice ....................................................................................................................................... 7 Questions 14.......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Questions 58.......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Questions 912 ..................................................................................................................................................... 10 Questions 1316 ................................................................................................................................................... 11 Questions 1720 ................................................................................................................................................... 12 Keywords: Questions 1 20................................................................................................................................. 13 Section Two: Short answer ........................................................................................................................................ 15 Question 21 ........................................................................................................................................................... 16 Question 22 ........................................................................................................................................................... 22 Question 23 ........................................................................................................................................................... 24 Question 24 ........................................................................................................................................................... 26 Question 25 ........................................................................................................................................................... 30 Question 26 ........................................................................................................................................................... 36 Section Three: Extended answer .............................................................................................................................. 39 Question 27 ........................................................................................................................................................... 40 Question 28 ........................................................................................................................................................... 45 Section Four: Production ........................................................................................................................................... 55 Question 29 ........................................................................................................................................................... 56 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................................... 85 Appendix 1: Course achievement band descriptions ................................................................................................ 86 Appendix 2: Rasch analysis of examinations ............................................................................................................ 87
Introductory notes for Applied Information Technology Stage 3 Standards Guide 2011 What are the standards and how were they developed? Standards describe the kinds of qualities seen in candidate responses in WACE examination conditions. In late 2011, WACE (written) examination scripts for Applied Information Technology Stage 3 were analysed by teacher expert panels who identified the qualities of candidates scripts at each of five performance bands: excellent achievement, high achievement, satisfactory achievement, limited achievement and inadequate achievement. WACE Course scores were reported against these performance bands. The band descriptions for Applied Information Technology Stage 3 are provided in Appendix 1. What do standards tell us? The standards described through the band descriptions tell us, in general terms, how students need to be performing if they wish to achieve a particular standard. To get a clearer picture of what each standard means, teachers and students can refer to the candidate responses provided. This will help students see what they need to do to improve and help them understand how their work compares with the standards. Standards can also assist teachers in providing students with feedback about their work and see how they might need to modify their teaching. What is provided in this Standards Guide? There are five main components in this standards guide: 1 questions from the examination paper 2 the marking key for each question 3 candidate responses and annotated marker notes 4 keywords and examination statistics such as the highest and lowest marks achieved, mean, standard deviation, etc 5 examiner comments. What standards have been exemplified in this guide? Sample candidate responses which illustrate excellent and satisfactory performance have been included in this guide, along with marker annotations. In most cases, excellent responses received full marks or close to full marks. If there were no responses judged to be excellent, a high achievement response sample may be provided. Judgements about the standard illustrated in a candidate response must also take into account the difficulty of the question. It should also be remembered that overall judgements about standards are best made with reference to a range of performances across a range of assessment types and conditions. How well did this examination target the ability of candidates? Rasch analysis of raw examination marks achieved by candidates enables us to provide estimates of question difficulty and student ability, on the same scale. From this relationship, we are able to evaluate how well the questions in this examination were broadly targeted to candidates abilities. Table 1 in Appendix 2 provides estimates of the difficulty of each question. Graph 2 (where provided) in Appendix 2 shows the distribution of the student ability and question difficulty. Graph 3 (where provided) shows the distribution of the student ability and item thresholds. Explanatory notes for these graphs are also provided in Appendix 2. Other points to consider when viewing this guide Use of half marks Examination items are marked in whole numbers. Half marks occurring in this guide are a result of averaging the whole number marks from each of two markers. Section statistics and marks weightings Section statistics for the highest mark achieved, lowest mark achieved, mean and standard deviation are based on weighted section total marks. Raw mark totals are provided for each section. The raw marks distribution and the weighted total marks distribution is provided on the following page. Examination standards for 2011 WACE examinations The analysis of written examination scripts was used to determine performance band descriptions for 2011.
Marks distribution for this examination
Section
Number of questions available 20
Number of questions to be answered 20
Suggested working time (minutes) 20
Marks available
Percentage of exam
Section One: Multiple-choice
20
10
Section Two: Short answer
35
30
15
Section Three: Extended answer
50
50
25
Section Four: Production
75
65
50
Total
100
Applied Information Technology Stage 3

20 marks
Note: Raw section total marks = 20 Weighted section total marks = 10
Weighted section statistics

Statistics ID = AIT3-S01 Number of attempts = 641 Highest mark achieved = 10.00 Lowest mark achieved = 3.00 Mean = 7.01 Standard deviation = 1.40 Correlation between section and exam = 0.59
Suggested working time: 20 minutes.
Questions
Questions 14
Question statistics
1. A network cable used to connect a personal computer to a wall socket is an example of what transmission medium? power cable twisted pair wireless fibre optic
Statistics ID = AIT3MC-1 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (b) (a) = 202 (31.51%) (b) = 301 (46.96%) (c) = 4 (0.62%) (d) = 134 (20.90%) Question difficulty = Moderate Correlation between question and section = 0.47 Statistics ID = AIT3MC-2 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (b) (a) = 60 (9.36%) (b) = 523 (81.59%) (c) = 1 (0.16%) (d) = 57 (8.89%) Question difficulty = Very easy Correlation between question and section = 0.21 Statistics ID = AIT3MC-3 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (c) (a) = 0 (0.00%) (b) = 1 (0.16%) (c) = 639 (99.69%) (d) = 1 (0.16%) Question difficulty = Very easy Correlation between question and section = 0.08 Statistics ID = AIT3MC-4 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (c) (a) = 157 (24.49%) (b) = 17 (2.65%) (c) = 325 (50.70%) (d) = 142 (22.15%) Question difficulty = Moderate Correlation between question and section = 0.35
Notes
Most candidates indicated a lack of familiarity with technical terms.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2.
If a person downloads an image from a website and posts it without permission on their Facebook page, they are guilty of violating privacy laws. breaking copyright laws. distributing spam. nothing illegal.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
3.
The use of a biometric device, such as a hand or finger scanner, is done to impress customers. save money. improve security. take up desk space.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
4.
Which of these types of memory/storage is currently the fastest? flash drive DVD RAM hard drive
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Responses indicate that almost half the candidates were not familiar with the characteristics of memory/storage devices.
Questions
Questions 58
Question statistics
5. A file created with a .TIFF extension as its default is what type of file? text file image file executable file directory or folder
Statistics ID = AIT3MC-5 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (b) (a) = 68 (10.61%) (b) = 485 (75.66%) (c) = 45 (7.02%) (d) = 43 (6.71%) Question difficulty = Very easy Correlation between question and section = 0.40
Notes
(a) (b) (c) (d)
6. (a) (b) (c) (d)
Benchmarking a piece of software refers to investigating whether it will run on a new platform. determining its performance. deciding whether it is worth buying. finding whether it will run in its own window.
Statistics ID = AIT3MC-6 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (b) (a) = 77 (12.01%) (b) = 488 (76.13%) (c) = 72 (11.23%) (d) = 2 (0.31%) Question difficulty = Very easy Correlation between question and section = 0.25
7. (a) (b) (c) (d)
Which of the following bandwidth speeds is fastest? 512 Kbit/s 1 Mbit/s 16 Kbit/s 8 Mbit/s
Statistics ID = AIT3MC-7 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (d) (a) = 61 (9.52%) (b) = 9 (1.40%) (c) = 24 (3.74%) (d) = 547 (85.34%) Question difficulty = Very easy Correlation between question and section = 0.37 Statistics ID = AIT3MC-8 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (c) (a) = 21 (3.28%) (b) = 20 (3.12%) (c) = 362 (56.47%) (d) = 236 (36.82%) Question difficulty = Moderate Correlation between question and section = 0.43
8. (a) (b) (c) (d)
Indexing database files on a computer system facilitates compact representation. secure sharing. efficient searching. organising the database.
Almost half the candidates did not identify that indexing a database facilitates efficient searches.
Questions
Questions 912
Question statistics
9. (a) (b) (c) (d) Fair dealing rules offer exceptions to laws on copyright. intellectual property. moral rights. occupational health.
Statistics ID = AIT3MC-9 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (a) (a) = 277 (43.21%) (b) = 200 (31.20%) (c) = 108 (16.85%) (d) = 54 (8.42%) Question difficulty = Moderate Correlation between question and section = 0.40 Statistics ID = AIT3MC-10 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (c) (a) = 79 (12.32%) (b) = 7 (1.09%) (c) = 267 (41.65%) (d) = 288 (44.93%) Question difficulty = Moderate Correlation between question and section = 0.24 Statistics ID = AIT3MC-11 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (b) (a) = 45 (7.02%) (b) = 568 (88.61%) (c) = 15 (2.34%) (d) = 13 (2.03%) Question difficulty = Very easy Correlation between question and section = 0.40 Statistics ID = AIT3MC-12 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (c) (a) = 6 (0.94%) (b) = 19 (2.96%) (c) = 544 (84.87%) (d) = 72 (11.23%) Question difficulty = Very easy Correlation between question and section = 0.37
Notes
10. (a) (b) (c) (d)
Storyboarding would be used in product development to illustrate the relationships between programs. understand the memory usage of a program. portray how users interact with a program. depict the control flow in a program.
Most candidates did not identify the use of storyboarding as a tool in the development of a product.
11.
Which of the following is an example of a system maintenance tool? firewall disk defragmentation function key network protocol
(a) (b) (c) (d)
12. (a) (b) (c) (d)
A possible way to avoid online censorship is to use a more powerful computer. password-cracking program. proxy server. torrent server.
10
Questions
Questions 1316
Question statistics
13. Which of the following should not be a consideration when comparing and analysing similar software? user interface functions configuration packaging
Statistics ID = AIT3MC-13 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (d) (a) = 24 (3.74%) (b) = 8 (1.25%) (c) = 23 (3.59%) (d) = 585 (91.26%) Question difficulty = Very easy Correlation between question and section = 0.35 Statistics ID = AIT3MC-14 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (a) (a) = 403 (62.87%) (b) = 116 (18.10%) (c) = 44 (6.86%) (d) = 77 (12.01%) Question difficulty = Easy Correlation between question and section = 0.35 Statistics ID = AIT3MC-15 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (c) (a) = 4 (0.62%) (b) = 6 (0.94%) (c) = 579 (90.33%) (d) = 52 (8.11%) Question difficulty = Very easy Correlation between question and section = 0.21 Statistics ID = AIT3MC-16 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (c) (a) = 71 (11.08%) (b) = 110 (17.16%) (c) = 438 (68.33%) (d) = 22 (3.43%) Question difficulty = Easy Correlation between question and section = 0.51
Notes
(a) (b) (c) (d)
14. (a) (b) (c) (d)
A major negative feature of a star network is single point of failure. cost of installation. complexity of design. slow transmission speed.
15.
In a global environment, what could a company put on its website to assist users of the site? complaints page currency converter language converter navigation bar
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Candidates had little difficulty in identifying the use of a language converter as a suitable tool on a website.
16. (a) (b) (c) (d)
Which of the following devices is purely an input device? speakers hard drive wireless mouse mobile phone
11
Questions
Questions 1720
Question statistics
17. What cost-saving method of communication can companies use when they want to speak face-to-face with their employees overseas? video conferencing flying employees to one location sending group e-mail using Facebook
Statistics ID = AIT3MC-17 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (a) (a) = 629 (98.13%) (b) = 0 (0.00%) (c) = 8 (1.25%) (d) = 4 (0.62%) Question difficulty = Very easy Correlation between question and section = 0.13 Statistics ID = AIT3MC-18 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (c) (a) = 92 (14.35%) (b) = 162 (25.27%) (c) = 370 (57.72%) (d) = 15 (2.34%) Question difficulty = Moderate Correlation between question and section = 0.43 Statistics ID = AIT3MC-19 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (a) (a) = 209 (32.61%) (b) = 109 (17.00%) (c) = 87 (13.57%) (d) = 235 (36.66%) Question difficulty = Difficult Correlation between question and section = 0.26 Statistics ID = AIT3MC-20 Number of attempts = 641 Correct answer = (b) (a) = 48 (7.49%) (b) = 446 (69.58%) (c) = 38 (5.93%) (d) = 109 (17.00%) Question difficulty = Easy Correlation between question and section = 0.40
Notes
(a) (b) (c) (d)
18. (a) (b) (c) (d)
Backing up files incrementally means storing them one at a time. them on separate drives. only the files changed since the last backup. only the files bigger than a certain size.
19. (a) (b) (c) (d)
Which of the following is an encryption method? digital signatures compression of file keys restrictions on passwords alias keys
Candidates were clearly unfamiliar with the meaning of this concept.
20. (a) (b) (c) (d)
Intellectual property refers to guarantees. patents. warranties. registrations.
12
Keywords
Keywords: Questions 1 20 1. Computer network Network cable, Twisted pair Copyright Computers Computers Computer hardware, RAM Digital art, Image files Benchmarking Computer networks Bandwidth Databases, Internet Intellectual property, Copyright Storyboarding Computers Disk defragmentation Censorship, Computer networks Network components, Proxy server Computer programs, Computer software Computer networks Computer network topologies Software programs Language converter Computers Input devices Telecommunications Video conferencing Computer files Computer maintenance Data security Digital signatures Intellectual property, Patents
2. 3. 4.
5. 6. 7.
8. 9. 10. 11.
12.
13. 14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
13
14

30 marks

15
Question
Question 21 (6 marks)
Question statistics
Statistics ID = AIT3-21 Number of attempts = 637 Highest mark achieved = 6.00 Lowest mark achieved = 0.00 Mean = 4.56 Standard deviation = 1.29 Question difficulty = N/A Correlation between question and section = 0.58
21(a) List two video file types. (2 marks)
Marking key
Description 1 mark for each file type listed. Total Answers could include: Mpeg Avi Mov Flv Mp4. Any other recognised format. Marks 1-2 2
Keywords
Computer files Video files
Question statistics
Statistics ID = AIT3-22 Number of attempts = 624 Highest mark achieved = 2.00 Lowest mark achieved = 0.00 Mean = 1.56 Standard deviation = 0.64 Question difficulty = Easy Correlation between question and section = 0.45
16
Candidate responses
21(a) List two video file types. (2 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 2/2 marks Lists two correct video file types.
Satisfactory response 1/2 marks Lists one correct video file type.
17
Question
21(b) List two file types that are best suited for graphic files to be uploaded to a website. (2 marks)
Marking key
Description 1 mark for each file type listed. Total Answers could include: Jpeg Gif Png. Any other file type allowing compression. Marks 1-2 2
Keywords
Image files, GIFs Graphic files
Question statistics
Statistics ID = AIT3-23 Number of attempts = 634 Highest mark achieved = 2.00 Lowest mark achieved = 0.00 Mean = 1.79 Standard deviation = 0.47 Question difficulty = Very easy Correlation between question and section = 0.34
18
Candidate responses
21(b) List two file types that are best suited for graphic files to be uploaded to a website. (2 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 2/2 marks Lists two correct graphics file types best suited for uploading to a website.
Satisfactory response 1/2 marks Lists one correct graphic file type best suited for uploading to a website (jpeg).
19
Question
21(c) List two file types that are the result of compressing a wave audio file. (2 marks)
Marking key
Description 1 mark for each file type listed. Total Answers could include: Mp3 Mp4 wma. Any other recognised format. Marks 1-2 2
Keywords
Sound files
Question statistics
20
Candidate responses
21(c) List two file types that are the result of compressing a wave audio file. (2 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 2/2 marks Correctly lists two compressed wave audio file types.
Satisfactory response 1/2 marks Lists one correct file type for compressing wave audio files.
21
Question
Question 22 Identify two protocols and two network devices that could be used in establishing a small-scale network. (4 marks)
Marking key
Description Identifies two correct protocols. Identifies two correct network devices. Total Answers could include: Protocols TCP/IP HTTP HTTPS SMTP WAP. Network devices network interface card switch router modem. Marks 12 12 4
Keywords
Computer networks
Question statistics
Statistics ID = AIT3-25 Number of attempts = 602 Highest mark achieved = 4.00 Lowest mark achieved = 0.00 Mean = 2.43 Standard deviation = 1.32 Question difficulty = Moderate Correlation between question and section = 0.64
22
Candidate responses
Question 22 Identify two protocols and two network devices that could be used in establishing a small-scale network. (4 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 4/4 marks Correctly identifies two correct protocols and two network devices that could be used in a small-scale network.
Satisfactory response 2/4 marks Correctly identifies two network devices; however, does not list correct protocols.
23
Question
Question 23 Provide three advantages of using templates in developing websites. (3 marks)
Marking key
Description Provides three correct advantages. Total Answers could include: easy to update the design of the site consistency of site design minimises the skills needed to update the site. Any other reasonable answer. Marks 13 3
Keywords
Web pages Web page templates
Question statistics
24
Candidate responses
Question 23 Provide three advantages of using templates in developing websites. (3 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 3/3 marks Provides three relevant advantages for using templates in developing websites.
Satisfactory response 2/3 marks Provides two advantages of using templates when developing websites in points one and two.
25
Question
Question statistics
24(a) Provide three precautions you would take when purchasing a product online. (3 marks)
Marking key
Description Provides three correct precautions. Total Answers could include: use credit card with a low limit ensure the site is secure (https or padlock symbol) use online shops that also have a physical presence use a recognised third party (e.g. Paypal) to make payment for you ensure your antivirus software is up to date. Any other reasonable answer. Marks 13 3
Keywords
Electronic commerce
Question statistics
26
Candidate responses
24(a) Provide three precautions you would take when purchasing a product online. (3 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 3/3 marks Provides three relevant online purchasing precautions.
Satisfactory response 2/3 marks Provides two relevant online purchasing precautions in points two and three.
27
Question
24(b) List three methods that can be used to protect your identity when using the internet. (3 marks)
Marking key
Description Lists three correct methods. Total Answers could include: ensure your antivirus software is up to date never give out personal details ensure shared images cannot be used to generate id photos limit personal information on social networking sites. Any other reasonable answer. Marks 13 3
Keywords
Data security Identity theft
Question statistics
Statistics ID = AIT3-29 Number of attempts = 639 Highest mark achieved = 3.00 Lowest mark achieved = 0.00 Mean = 2.26 Standard deviation = 0.75 Question difficulty = Very easy Correlation between question and section = 0.44
28
Candidate responses
24(b) List three methods that can be used to protect your identity when using the internet. (3 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 3/3 marks Lists three correct methods that may be used to protect a persons identity.
Satisfactory response 2/3 marks Lists two correct methods to protect personal identity. Point one is unclear and non-specific as to the method.
29
Question
Question statistics
25(a) How would a company ensure that the information communication technology services supplied to it by an internet service provider will meet the requirements of its business? Why is this important? (2 marks)
Marking key
Description Marks Reason given for how a company ensures their information communication technology 1 services are being met by their internet service provider. Reason given for why having the requirements of a business met is important to the 1 company. Total 2 Answers could include: naming of service level agreements a reason why they are important penalties, agreed service level, etc. Service Level Agreement which outlined the contractual obligations of the service provider and any penalties.
Keywords
Internet
Question statistics
Statistics ID = AIT3-31 Number of attempts = 607 Highest mark achieved = 2.00 Lowest mark achieved = 0.00 Mean = 0.83 Standard deviation = 0.67 Question difficulty = Difficult Correlation between question and section = 0.46
30
Candidate responses
25(a) How would a company ensure that the information communication technology services supplied to it by an internet service provider will meet the requirements of its business? Why is this important? (2 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 2/2 marks Correctly explains how a company ensures its ICT services are met and why this is important.
Satisfactory response 1/2 marks Identifies the concept of having a service level agreement but does not specify the details of such an agreement.
31
Question
25(b) List two ways in which industry can store large amounts of data for projecting trends and sales. (2 marks)
Marking key
Description Lists two ways in which industry can store large amount of data. Total Answers could include: data warehouses data mining data marts. Note: Do not accept Excel. Marks 12 2
Keywords
Data storage
Question statistics
Statistics ID = AIT3-32 Number of attempts = 624 Highest mark achieved = 2.00 Lowest mark achieved = 0.00 Mean = 0.85 Standard deviation = 0.73 Question difficulty = Difficult Correlation between question and section = 0.48
32
Candidate responses
25(b) List two ways in which industry can store large amounts of data for projecting trends and sales. (2 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 2/2 marks Correctly lists two ways to store large amounts of data for generating business trends.
Satisfactory response 1/2 marks Lists one correct method of storing large amount of data (a data warehouse).
33
Question
25(c) List three ways of minimising the risk of data loss from your storage area network due to physical threats. (3 marks)
Marking key
Description Lists three correct ways to minimize the risk of data loss. Total Answers could include: off site back up physical security system/locks/alarm/guards power surge protectors. Any other reasonable answer. Marks 13 3
Keywords
Data storage Data loss
Question statistics
34
Candidate responses
25(c) List three ways of minimising the risk of data loss from your storage area network due to physical threats. (3 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 3/3 marks Correctly lists three ways to protect data from physical threats. Although not required, provides a suitable explanation for each risk.
Satisfactory response 2/3 marks Identifies two ways to protect data from physical danger in points one and three.
35
Question
Question 26 Explain the relationship between elements of design and creative design principles. Give an example of each to illustrate your explanation. (4 marks)
Marking key
Description Detailed explanation of the relationship between elements and creative principles of design. Limited explanation of the relationship between elements and creative principles of design. One example of an element and one example of a principle that illustrate the relationship between the two. One example of either an element or a principle. Total Answers that show the elements supporting the principles could include: elements of design are combined together to develop principles of design the chosen colour scheme of a design produces harmony/unity the use of line and shapes produces alignment in a design the use of positive and negative space has been used to create balance in the design. Marks 2 1
2 1 4
Keywords
Composition
Question statistics
36
Candidate responses
Question 26 Explain the relationship between elements of design and creative design principles. Give an example of each to illustrate your explanation. (4 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 4/4 marks Clearly identifies the relationship between principles and elements of design and illustrates with examples.
Satisfactory response 2/4 marks Provides examples of design elements and principles without articulating the relationship between the two.
37
38

50 marks

Examiners comments for this section

Candidates found this section more difficult to handle than the previous sections. They were required to not only provide a solution but provide reasons why they chose their answer. One question that became more of a discriminator than was expected was the question regarding hardware, where candidates were given a table to complete. Some had problems understanding the technical terms used. Those that understood them had difficulty providing specific details and supporting arguments for what they had proposed .
39
Question
Question 27 HoldOn is a Perth-based magazine focusing on lifestyle, travel and events in Western Australia. You have been employed as a consultant by the company that owns HoldOn to assist in the upgrading of its hardware and software. The company wishes to ensure that it has the right tools to update its website and to process and manipulate data. Hardware, with an effective life of three years, is being sought for multimedia and general workstations. The multimedia workstation requires industry standard desktop publishing, graphics, web and video editing applications. The general workstation requires office-type applications, email and basic photo manipulation applications. In addition, the general workstation is to be a portable technology solution. Complete the table on the opposite page by recommending the type and size of hardware suitable for each of the work stations. Explain your reasons for selecting the hardware. (20 marks) Component Type/size Multimedia workstation Reason
CPU
General workstation
Multimedia workstation Primary memory
General workstation
Multimedia workstation Monitor/ display
General workstation
Multimedia workstation Graphics card
General workstation
Multimedia workstation Secondary memory
General workstation
40
Marking key
Description Lists five hardware types and identifies the size. Multimedia workstation Explains five reasons for selecting hardware. 15 10 15 15 10 20 Marks 15
Lists five hardware types and identifies the size. General workstation Explains five reasons for selecting hardware. Total Answers could include: Component Type/size Multimedia workstation Minimum Core duo with 64 bit support CPU General workstation Minimum 1GHz processor with 32 bit support Multimedia workstation Minimum 4Gb of RAM Primary memory General workstation Minimum 1Gb of RAM Multimedia workstation Minimum 19 LCD display General workstation 13 notebook/laptop with option of external monitor Multimedia workstation Dedicated NVIDIA graphics card General workstation Integrated graphics Multimedia workstation 1TB or bigger General workstation 500Gb or less
Reason Some video editing applications now require 64 bit support to operate the latest versions of the software and high GHZ speeds. Office type applications still run on 32 bit. Less processing power needed. Multimedia software requires a lot of RAM to help speed of processing. General office type applications do not require a lot of RAM, as processing needs reduced. For workers who spend the majority of their day working on screen the larger the screen size the better. The LCD screen type is a better option than CRT due to the faster refresh rate. The laptop/notebook option may need an external monitor to prevent OOS. Multimedia applications, particular those used for video editing required dedicated graphics card to render effects in real time. Office type applications will operate with integrated graphics relying on the RAM of the machine. Space for storage of large graphic and media files. Larger applications for graphic manipulations/editing. Lower requirement for data storage. Smaller files.
Monitor/ display
Graphics card
Secondary memory
Keywords
Computers Computer hardware
Question statistics
41
Candidate responses
Question 27 HoldOn is a Perth-based magazine focusing on lifestyle, travel and events in Western Australia. You have been employed as a consultant by the company that owns HoldOn to assist in the upgrading of its hardware and software. The company wishes to ensure that it has the right tools to update its website and to process and manipulate data. Hardware, with an effective life of three years, is being sought for multimedia and general workstations. The multimedia workstation requires industry standard desktop publishing, graphics, web and video editing applications. The general workstation requires office-type applications, email and basic photo manipulation applications. In addition, the general workstation is to be a portable technology solution. Complete the table on the opposite page by recommending the type and size of hardware suitable for each of the work stations. Explain your reasons for selecting the hardware. (20 marks)
42
Candidate responses (continued)
Notes
Excellent response 20/20 marks Clearly identifies all components with supporting specifications and reasons for choice.
43
Notes
Satisfactory response 12/20 marks Clearly identifies three of the components. Provides supporting specifications and reasons. Confuses primary with secondary memory.
44
Question
Question 28 Boar Richards Ltd is a multinational company with mine sites all over the world and its corporate office is in Perths central business district. Its information communication technology services are managed by various external providers in Australia and overseas. (30 marks)
Question statistics
28(a) Explain, using examples, the difference between globalisation and outsourcing. (4 marks)
Marking key
Description Explains globalisation. Provides an example of globalisation. Explains outsourcing. Provides an example of outsourcing. Marks 1 1 1 1 4
Globalisation Outsourcing
Total Answers could include: Globalisation is increasing the connectivity and mobility of the world's markets and businesses whereby companies do business all over the world where as outsourcing is where a company employs another company to provide a service. The contracted company may be local or it may originate overseas.
Keywords
Globalisation, Outsourcing
Question statistics
45
Candidate responses
28(a) Explain, using examples, the difference between globalisation and outsourcing. (4 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 4/4 marks Correctly explains the difference between globalisation and outsourcing and illustrates with appropriate examples.
Satisfactory response 2/4 marks Correctly describes outsourcing.
46
Question
28(b) Identify and justify four reasons why a large company such as Boar Richards Ltd would choose to outsource its information communication technology services. (8 marks)
Marking key
Description Marks For each of four reasons Identifies and justifies why a large company would outsource its information 2 communication technology services. Identifies or justifies a reason why a large company would outsource its information 1 communication technology services. Total 8 Answers could include: cost savings the lowering of the overall cost of the service to the business. Access to lower cost economies through off shoring of services through access to cheaper labour focus on core business resources are focused on developing the core business of the company. For example often organizations outsource their IT support to specialised IT service companies knowledge and skills access to intellectual property and wider experience and knowledge of a specialist company risk management services will be provided to a legally binding contract with financial penalties and legal consequences. This is not the case with internal services modification of business practices the trend of standardising business processes, IT Services, and application services which enables companies to buy at the right price, allows businesses access to services which were only available to large corporations tax benefit countries offer tax incentives and have different corporate taxes rates.
Keywords
Outsourcing
Question statistics
47
Candidate responses
28(b) Identify and justify four reasons why a large company such as Boar Richards Ltd would choose to outsource its information communication technology services. (8 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 8/8 marks Identifies and justifies four correct reasons for outsourcing information communication technology services.
Satisfactory response 5/8 marks Identifies and justifies (in the first two points) two correct reasons for outsourcing information communication technology. Identifies in the final point that additional onsite space would become available.
48
Question
28(c) The induction of new staff at Boar Richards Ltd includes training regarding the ethics of employer and employee relationships. Describe four procedures that would be part of a presentation to new employees regarding the ethical use of information communication technology in the workplace. You should provide four examples, one for each procedure. (8 marks)
Marking key
Description Describes four appropriate procedures which would be part of a presentation to new employees. Provides an example for each procedure. Total Procedures could include: appropriate user policies for employees appropriate use of IT in the workplace security protocols regarding the use of IT legal and contractual obligations for both the employee and the employer. Examples could include: acceptable use policy for employees available in hard copy and on the company intranet employee monitoring of email and internet usage user credentials and password security copyright and privacy. Any other reasonable answer. Marks 14 4 14 4 8
Keywords
Ethics
Question statistics
49
Candidate responses
28(c) The induction of new staff at Boar Richards Ltd includes training regarding the ethics of employer and employee relationships. Describe four procedures that would be part of a presentation to new employees regarding the ethical use of information communication technology in the workplace. You should provide four examples, one for each procedure. (8 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 8/8 marks Describes four suitable procedures for the ethical use of information communication technology in the workplace. Provides an example for each procedure.
Satisfactory response 4/8 marks Describes two suitable procedures, with examples, for the ethical use of ICT in the workplace (appropriate use and security). Repeats these points.
50
Question
28(d) The companys information communication technology policy governing the use of email limits the size of employee electronic mailboxes to 100 Mb. Give two explanations why employees are limited to mailboxes of this size. (4 marks)
Marking key
Description For each of two explanations Explains in detail why employees are limited to a mailbox size. States a fact, limited explanation of why employees are limited to a mailbox size. Marks 2 1 4
Total Answers could include: employees mailboxes are backed up and backing up data has a cost both money and time storing email provides a legal risk to the company, email tends to contain incriminating evidence email is a target for malware and thus is not the most secure storage location for critical data company security. promotes effective management of storage space. Any other reasonable answer.
Keywords
Email
Question statistics
51
Candidate responses
28(d) The companys information communication technology policy governing the use of email limits the size of employee electronic mailboxes to 100 Mb. Give two explanations why employees are limited to mailboxes of this size. (4 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 4/4 marks Provides two well supported reasons for limiting a mailbox to 100mb.
Satisfactory response 2/4 marks Alludes to the promotion of effective management of storage space for limiting a mailbox to 100mb.
52
Question
28(e) Give three explanations why a company would prohibit its employees installing new software on its machines. (6 marks)
Marking key
Description For each of three explanations States a fact and explains why a company would prohibit employees installing software. States a fact. Total Marks 2 1 6
Answers could include: workstations can be deployed, configured and maintained in a cost effective manner technical support procedures can be standardized and provided efficiently company machines cannot have illegal software installed on them thus reducing the companys legal risk. Any other reasonable answer.
Keywords
Computer programs, Computer software
Question statistics
53
Candidate responses
28(e) Give three explanations why a company would prohibit its employees installing new software on its machines. (6 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 6/6 marks Gives three valid reasons why a company would prohibit its employees from installing new software.
Satisfactory response 4/6 marks Identifies two valid reasons why a company would prohibit its employees from installing software (illegal software and interruption of work flow).
54

65 marks

Examiners comments for this section

The Design/Production section required candidates to review a sample product, critique it, propose what they would do to fix it and design such a fix to meet set criteria. The second stage was written so that candidates could demonstrate alternative skills to promote a product. They were asked to select a product then propose how they could promote it. They were not required to do another web page but could choose any format; film, poster, phone application; whatever they thought would work. A few candidates simply provided another web page from the design, but there were many who proposed alternative methods such as Avatars, tweet pages, pop-ups, you tube videos, phone apps, face book pages or bill boards, thus contributing to the success of the section. Candidates who did not understand the connection between elements and principles of design or who chose principles from different sources not matching the syllabus list, received lower marks.
55
Question
Question 29 (65 Marks)
Question statistics
29(a) Review the screen captures of the website on pages 18 and 19 and identify five design issues. Circle each issue and label it with a number (15) in the white space surrounding the screen captures. (5 marks)
56
Question
57
Marking key
Description Five design issues have been identified, circled and numbered. Total Marks 15 5
Keywords
Composition
Question statistics
58
Candidate responses
29(a) Review the screen captures of the website on pages 18 and 19 and identify five design issues. Circle each issue and label it with a number (15) in the white space surrounding the screen captures. (5 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 5/5 marks Identifies five design issues by circling and numbering the screen captures.
59

No candidate response is provided.
Notes
Satisfactory response
60
Question
29(b) Explain the significance of each of the five design issues you have identified in part (a). (10 marks)
Marking key
Description For each of five design issues explained Explains the significance of the design issue. States a fact about the significance of the design issue. Total Examples of issues: poor use of space no or limited negative space cluttered lack of balance/harmony colour and harmony are not connected lack of a focus point over use of graphics some font sizes make wording difficult to read. Any other appropriate design issue. Marks 2 1 10
Keywords
Composition
Question statistics
61
Candidate responses
29(b) Explain the significance of each of the five design issues you have identified in part (a). (10 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 10/10 marks Clearly explains the significance of the five design issues identified in part (a).
62
Notes
Satisfactory response 6/10 marks Clearly explains the significance of the three relevant design issues (text selection, effective navigation and composition of photographs and images).
63
Question
29(c) Now that you have reviewed the screen captures from the website, your task is to redesign the homepage for the site. Identify five design principles you would use to improve the site. Explain why you have selected each of these principles. List the underlying support design element(s) for each principle. (15 marks)
Marking key
Description Five principles of design have been identified. Five principles of design have been explained. Lists five relevant supporting design elements. Must have correct principle Five principles are dependent to achieve other marks. Design principles include: balancesymmetry, asymmetry, radial rhythm proportion dominance harmony/unity/proximity repetition pattern movement contrast. Total Marks 15 5 15 5 15 5 15
Elements include: spacepositive and negative alignment/position line texture colour shape/form value.
Keywords
Composition
Question statistics
64
Candidate responses
29(c) Now that you have reviewed the screen captures from the website, your task is to redesign the homepage for the site. Identify five design principles you would use to improve the site. Explain why you have selected each of these principles. List the underlying support design element(s) for each principle. (15 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 15/15 marks Identifies five valid design principles, with supporting explanations as to how they would improve the site. Clearly explains the underlying design elements for each principle.
65
Notes
Satisfactory response 10/15 marks Correctly identifies balance, dominance and harmony as three design principles. Provides reasons for all selections; however, alignment and emphasis are incorrectly included as design principles.
66
Question
29(d)
Question statistics
29(d)(i) Use an appropriate design methodology to manage your ideas (for example, clear sketches, dimensions, annotations, highlighting where the criteria, listed below, are met). (5 marks)
Marking key
Description Provides a clear, purposeful and appropriate design methodology for the redesign of Yvettes web page. Provides a competent and appropriate design methodology for the redesign of Yvettes web page. Provides a general and appropriate design methodology for the redesign of Yvettes web page. Provides with some clarity an appropriate design methodology for the redesign of Yvettes web page. Provides a limited design methodology for the redesign of Yvettes web page. Total Design methodologies could include: sketches dimensions annotations sequencing of work checklists highlighted criteria font sizes. Marks 5 4 3 2 1 5
Keywords
Composition
Question statistics
67
Candidate responses
29(d)(i) Use an appropriate design methodology to manage your ideas (for example, clear sketches, dimensions, annotations, highlighting where the criteria, listed below, are met). (5 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 5/5 marks Provides a clear, purposeful and appropriate design methodology for the redesign of the webpage.
68
Notes
69
Notes
Satisfactory response 2/5 marks Provides a simplistic design, with limited design methodologies, for the redesign of the webpage.
70
Question
29(d)(ii) Your design is to include the following items to make it clear how to access information. (10 marks) company name contact us womens fashion mens fashion accounts guest book social network connection photo gallery language selection site plan
Marking key
Description Design includes the ten items. Total company name contact us womens fashion mens attire accounts guest book social network connection photo gallery language selection site plan Marks 110 10
Keywords
Composition
Question statistics
71
Candidate responses
29(d)(ii) Your design is to include the following items to make it clear how to access information. (10 marks) company name contact us womens fashion mens fashion accounts guest book social network connection photo gallery language selection site plan
72
Notes
Excellent response 10/10 marks Includes all 10 items in the web page redesign in order to ensure access to information.
73
Notes
74
Notes
Satisfactory response 6/10 marks Includes five of the required ten criteria in the design (company name, contact us, womens fashion, mens attire, social network connection and photo gallery).
75
Question
29(e) The website displays a range of products. Select one of the products, e.g. women or mens fashion from the website and design an alternative method for promoting the product to customers. You are not limited to designing a website.
Question statistics
29(e)(i) Identify the product you intend to develop and the target audience for it. Discuss two design principles and underlying elements that you would use in your design. (10 marks)
Marking key
Description Identifies the product to be developed and the target audience. Identifies the product or the target audience. For each of two design principles and underlying elements Discusses coherently and purposefully the design principles and underlying elements to be used in the new design. Discusses logically the design principles and underlying elements to be used in the new design. Describes the design principles and/or underlying elements to be used in the new design. Makes generalised comments about the design principles and/or underlying elements to be used in the new design. Marks 2 1 2 4 3 2 1
Design principles include: balancesymmetry, asymmetry, radial rhythm proportion dominance harmony/unity/proximity repetition pattern movement contrast.
8 Total 10 Elements include: spacepositive and negative alignment/position line texture colour shape/form value.
76
Keywords
Marketing, Composition
Question statistics
77
Candidate responses
29(e)(i) Identify the product you intend to develop and the target audience for it. Discuss two design principles and underlying elements that you would use in your design. (10 marks)
Notes
Excellent response 10/10 marks Identifies the product to be developed as well as the target audience. Coherently and purposefully discusses the design principles and underlying elements to be used in the design.
78
Notes
79
Notes
Satisfactory response 6/10 marks Identifies the product but does not mention the target audience or any underlying elements in the design.
80
Question
29(e)(ii) Using the space below, sketch your design and annotate relevant design principles and elements. (10 marks)
Marking key
Description Sketch demonstrates a developed idea demonstrating a unique design. Sketch demonstrates a definite and clear identity of ideas. Sketch demonstrates a simplistic notion of ideas. Sketch is simplistic. Sketch is limited no idea of design. Annotations indicate: Comprehensive use of design elements and principles. Effective and use of design elements and principles. Functional and creative use of design elements and principles. Simplistic use of design elements and/or principles. Basic use of design elements and/or principles. Sketch and annotations must reflect description in (e)(i) Answers could include: storybook flyer business card. Design principles include: balancesymmetry, asymmetry, radial rhythm proportion dominance harmony/unity/proximity repetition pattern movement contrast. Total Marks 5 4 3 2 1 5 5 4 3 2 1 5 10
Elements include: spacepositive and negative alignment/position line texture colour shape/form value.
Keywords
Storyboards, Composition
Question statistics
81
Candidate responses
29(e)(ii) Using the space below, sketch your design and annotate relevant design principles and elements. (10 marks)
82
Notes
Excellent response 10/10 marks Proposes a workable idea using a unique design with comprehensive usage of design elements and principles.
83
Notes
Satisfactory response 6/10 marks Proposes an idea but the annotations in the design sketch make limited reference to the principles and elements used.
84
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements Question 29 Yvettesbridalformal. (n.d.). Home page of website. Retrieved March, 2011 from www.yvettesbridalformal.com.
85
Appendices
Appendix 1: Course achievement band descriptions Excellent achievement (75 - 100) Identifies significant design issues and develops annotated designs reflecting the comprehensive use of effective design principles and elements to meet the design brief. Uses specific technical terminology to explain hardware and software issues, supported with relevant justification. Clearly identifies data management issues and methods and provides detailed explanations and solutions. Presents realistic solutions for the practical and ethical implementation of ICT in the workplace with comprehensive and logical examples. High achievement (65 - 74) Develops annotated designs reflecting correct use of design principles and elements meeting the design brief. Uses correct technical terminology to explain hardware and software issues, supported with some relevant justification. Identifies data management issues and methods and provides explanations and solutions. Presents solutions for the practical and ethical implementation of ICT in the workplace with relevant examples. Satisfactory achievement (50 - 64) Develops designs using some design principles and elements. Uses some technical terminology to explain hardware and software issues with simple supporting reasons. Identifies some data management issues and methods with simple explanations and solutions. Presents simple solutions for the practical and ethical implementation of ICT in the workplace. Limited achievement (35 - 49) Develops simplistic designs using limited or inaccurate design principles and elements. Addresses hardware and software issues inadequately or incompletely. Provides an incomplete list of data management issues and methods. Lists basic solutions for the practical and ethical implementation of ICT. Inadequate achievement (0 - 34) Provides incomplete designs using few or no recognised design principles and elements. Provides brief or no responses relating to hardware, software and ICT in the workplace.
Cut points: Excellent/High = 72.40 High/Satisfactory = 59.58 Satisfactory/Limited = 44.04 Limited/Inadequate = 27.61
86
Appendices
Appendix 2: Rasch analysis of examinations Rasch analysis is used to test the reliability and validity of an examination. It produces numerical estimates of the ability of the students who sat the examination and the difficulty of each item in the examination. An item is a scoring opportunity. It may be a whole question (e.g. a multiple-choice question) or, in the case of questions that are broken down into discrete elements, a part of a question or a sub-part of a question. In Rasch analysis, the estimates of student ability and item difficulty are placed on a common measurement scale, like a ruler. Items are clustered into five bands: Very easy, Easy, Moderate, Difficult and Very difficult. Items that are less difficult to answer correctly are located to the left and items that are more difficult to answer correctly are located to the right. Similarly, using the same scale, less able students are located to the left and more able students are located to the right. The boundary of the Moderate difficulty band is determined by the difficulty of the middle 68% of items, i.e. the difficulty is one standard deviation from the mean student location. The boundaries for the Very easyEasy and the DifficultVery difficult band are determined by reference to student abilities.
Less able students Less difficult questions < - - - - - - - - o - - - - - - - - - o - - - - - - - - - o - - - - - - - - - o - - - - - - - - -> Very easy Easy Moderate Difficult Very difficult
More able students More difficult questions
Table 1 on the following page provides the item difficulty analysis for the 2011 Stage 3 WACE examination for Applied Information Technology. Notes N/A (in the Difficulty estimates in this Guide) indicates the item was not used in the Rasch analysis. This is because one or more items had too few responses (or no responses). As shown in Table 1, when a question consists of a number of items (e.g. in the case of questions 24 - 29), the difficulty estimate is given for each item, not for the question as a whole. In the Rasch model, the higher a students ability, relative to the difficulty of an item, the greater the chances are of that student scoring the correct answer. When a students ability location is equal to the difficulty location of an item, there is a 50/50 (or 0.5) probability of that student scoring the correct answer. The Rasch model is used in the analysis of data for NAPLAN and PISA and is also used in disciplines such as medicine and the social sciences. Location values for student difficulty and item ability are given as logits (a contraction of the phrase logodds units). Because logit values are based on probability, they are also referred to as estimates of item difficulty and estimates of student ability.
87
Appendices
Table 1 - Item difficulty analysis for the 2011 Stage 3 Applied Information Technology examination Section S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S01 S02 S02 S02 S02 S02 S02 S02 S02 S02 S02 S02 S02 S02 S02 S03 S03 S03 S03 Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 21a 21b 21c 22 23 24 24a 24b 25 25a 25b 25c 26 27 28 28a 28b Location 0.94 -0.75 -5.20 0.78 -0.41 -0.43 -1.07 0.53 1.10 1.14 -1.43 -1.03 -1.72 0.24 -1.52 -0.01 -3.38 0.46 1.53 -0.08 -0.24 -0.95 0.23 0.63 0.30 -0.17 -0.41 1.33 1.18 0.16 0.71 0.88 0.85 0.97 Difficulty Moderate Very easy Very easy Moderate Very easy Very easy Very easy Moderate Moderate Moderate Very easy Very easy Very easy Easy Very easy Easy Very easy Moderate Difficult Easy N/A Easy Very easy Easy Moderate Easy N/A Easy Very easy N/A Difficult Difficult Easy Moderate Moderate N/A Moderate Moderate
88
Appendices
Table 1 - Item difficulty analysis for the 2011 Stage 3 Applied Information Technology examination (continued) Section S03 S03 S03 S04 S04 S04 S04 S04 S04 S04 S04 S04 S04 Question 28c 28d 28e 29 29a 29b 29c 29d 29di 29dii 29e 29ei 29eii Location 0.90 0.79 0.30 0.19 0.41 0.89 -0.20 0.00 0.69 0.87 Difficulty Moderate Moderate Easy N/A Easy Easy Moderate N/A Easy Easy N/A Moderate Moderate
89
Appendices
A walk-through of a graph of student ability and item difficulty Graph 1 (for a sample Stage 3 WACE examination with 450 candidates) provides an example of how data from a Rasch analysis of student ability and item difficulty can be represented.
Graph 1
The frequency distribution of estimates of student abilities is shown in the top half of the graph. The frequency distribution of estimates of item difficulties is shown in the bottom half of the graph. These two measures share a common horizontal scale showing locations, expressed as logits. Logit values do not relate directly to percentage marks; however, the percentage raw exam scores are represented on the graph, e.g. the maximum raw mark, the minimum raw mark and the mean raw mark of the examination. The relationship between the ability of students and the difficulty of items is such that o a student with an ability estimate equal to the difficulty of an item has a 50% chance of achieving the maximum available mark for the item o a student with an ability estimate greater than the difficulty of an item has more than a 50% chance of achieving the maximum available mark for the item o a student with an ability estimate less than the difficulty of an item has less than a 50% chance of achieving the maximum available mark for the item. Items of average or moderate difficulty are placed around the mean person ability; items of increasing difficulty are placed to the right and items of decreasing difficulty are placed to the left.
90
Appendices
A good spread of student abilities and item difficulties and some questions for discussion Graph 1 presents one example of a good spread of student abilities and question difficulties resulting from a Rasch analysis of a fictional examination: the mean raw mark (56.07) is considered appropriate, within general statistical terms and in terms of the expectations for WACE examinations o Discussion question: In terms of raw marks, has this been a difficult or easy examination? the minimum examination mark is close to zero and the maximum is close to 100%. o Discussion questions: What are the implications of having a range of raw marks from 0% to 100%? For example, is this useful for the purposes of discrimination? the range of marks (9.4% to 96.3%) is appropriate. o Discussion question: In terms of raw marks, has this examination efficiently discriminated among students, i.e. were some items too easy or too difficult for this cohort? the distribution of item difficulties is good in relation to the distribution of student abilities. o Discussion question: What implications are suggested when there are items with difficulty estimates greater than the maximum ability estimate and less than the minimum ability estimate?
Why are two graphs provided for some examinations? When an item is worth just 1 mark, it is known as a dichotomous item. When an item is worth more than 1 mark, it is known as a polytomous item. For polytomous items, the item difficulty is the average of the difficulties of achieving each mark allocated to the item. Misleading conclusions can sometimes be drawn from graphs of these data when there are gaps in the item difficulty distribution, e.g. there may appear to be not enough difficult items or not enough easy items. In these instances, it can be useful to check the distribution of the difficulty estimates for achieving each individual mark (marks category). A Rasch analysis allows for graphing the difficulty in scoring each mark, or the threshold for moving from one mark to the next. Where possible, therefore, two graphs are provided in the Standards Guides 2011: Examples are Graphs 2 and 3 below for the 2011 Stage 3 Applied Information Technology examination. Graph 2 shows the item difficulty and the student abilities frequency distribution.
91
Appendices
Graph 2 - Distribution between student ability and item difficulty
Notes As the graph shows, there were few difficult and no very difficult items. However, although an item might not be difficult or very difficult, it is possible that it was difficult to achieve the higher marks for that item. The presence of many very easy items may indicate that the examination did not discriminate appropriately among the less able students. The difficulty of achieving each mark is called a threshold. For a better understanding of item difficulty, we need to analyse the distribution of person abilities and thresholds, as shown in Graph 3. Graph 3 (opposite) shows the difficulty of achieving each category and the student abilities frequency distribution.
92
Appendices
Graph 3 - Distribution between student ability and item thresholds difficulty
Notes From the spread of item thresholds in this graph, we can see that there were items that had few marks that were difficult and few very difficult to achieve. There were many marks that were easy and very easy to achieve, and fewer would provide better discrimination among the less able students. Similarly, few more items which have marks more difficult to achieve will provide a better discrimination among more able students. Some points to bear in mind for understanding examination analysis When evaluating the range (spread) of examination marks, consider the size of the cohort sitting the examination. A small cohort may involve a narrow range of student abilities. When evaluating the mean examination mark, consider the nature of the cohort sitting the examination. The examination difficulty may be appropriate for the cohort for which the course was designed, but the actual cohort may be weaker or stronger than expected. In these notes, the difficulty of the item refers to the average of the difficulties of acquiring each marks category for the item. For example, it may be very difficult to obtain a high mark for a item rated as being of moderate difficulty, if that item is worth a large number of marks. Conversely it may be very easy to obtain a low mark. Recommendations to remove items of a certain level of difficulty or easiness do not imply that these are poor items, but simply that there are too many items at the same level of difficulty. Recommendations to add more difficult items may result in a better discrimination among students.
93
94

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Standards Guide 2011 Applied Information Technology Stage 3

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Applied Information Technology

Stage 3 Standards Guide

Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide

Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide

Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide

Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide

Marks distribution for this examination

Number of questions available 20

Number of questions to be answered 20

Suggested working time (minutes) 20

Section One: Multiple-choice

Section Two: Short answer

Section Three: Extended answer

Section Four: Production

Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide

Section One: Multiple-choice

Applied Information Technology Stage 3

Weighted section statistics

Suggested working time: 20 minutes.

Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide

Section One: Multiple-choice

Most candidates indicated a lack of familiarity with technical terms.

(a) (b) (c) (d)

(a) (b) (c) (d)

(a) (b) (c) (d)

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide

Section One: Multiple-choice

(a) (b) (c) (d)

6. (a) (b) (c) (d)

7. (a) (b) (c) (d)

8. (a) (b) (c) (d)

Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide

Section One: Multiple-choice

10. (a) (b) (c) (d)

(a) (b) (c) (d)

12. (a) (b) (c) (d)

Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide

Section One: Multiple-choice

(a) (b) (c) (d)

14. (a) (b) (c) (d)

(a) (b) (c) (d)

16. (a) (b) (c) (d)

Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide

Section One: Multiple-choice

(a) (b) (c) (d)

18. (a) (b) (c) (d)

19. (a) (b) (c) (d)

Candidates were clearly unfamiliar with the meaning of this concept.

20. (a) (b) (c) (d)

Intellectual property refers to guarantees. patents. warranties. registrations.

Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide

Section One: Multiple-choice

Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide

Section One: Multiple-choice

Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide

Section Two: Short answer

Applied Information Technology Stage 3

Weighted section statistics

Suggested working time: 35 minutes.

Applied Information Technology: Stage 3 Standards Guide

Section Two: Short answer

21(a) List two video file types. (2 marks)