IPT/ITS/ICT/SAS Strand
Below are some sample sessions from these two streams:
1. CSD Process in IPT: The QSITE Yacht Club
In this session we will work through a scenario to develop entities, conceptual schema, assumptions, constraints and finally a set of normalised tables. This is a hands-on opportunity to check your skills and knowledge of entity relationship modelling.
2. Setting up for PHP and MySQL on the EQ servers
Teachers have too much to do already. If you work in an EQ school, why go to the immense trouble of setting up a web/data server at your school to allow your students to implement their on-line coding activities, when EQ has it all set up for you already?
This demonstration will take you through the processes involved including:
• setting up home pages and databases as MIS Administrator
• administering home pages and databases as MIS Admin
• using MIS Tools to access home pages and phpMyAdmin as a student.
• editing HTML, CSS, PHP, Javascript, AJAX using a variety of free (and non-free) apps
• uploading files to EQ using Filezilla FTP client.
• Using Firefox 3.5 with the Web Developer's Toolbar to view and debug scripts
• <audio> tag in HTML5
3. IPT Online
Senior IT subjects require the use of several different types of software to learn database creation, SQL, programming, artificial intelligence, etc. Traditionally, these would be separate software packages installed on individual computers, requiring individual software licences, appropriate computer permissions and installation time. There is a much easier method - you can teach IT using online applications. This workshop will demonstrate the software, notes and activities on IPT Online (www.ipto.com.au) and explore how the Virtual Schooling Service in Queensland teaches senior IT to students across the state using online applications and web conferencing tools.
4. IPT Projects - Structuring for Success
This session will take the format of a panel discussion with some of the State's leading IPT teachers as panellists. The panel will consider steps that they individually use to help students in the IPT course deal with the rigours of the project component of the course. Specifically we shall look at: how project topics are chosen or allocated, what sort of scaffolding is applied to the project, what drafting processes are used and how panel members deal with the group work component. The session will finish by examining the sometimes overlooked or simplified 'evaluation' phase of the project.
5. Creating and Using Linux on a bootable USB stick with Persistent Overlays, in the MOE2 Environment
A session demonstrating a rapid method of construction of live USB sticks using Fedora Core 11 with GNOME, or KDE, with additional installation of Webmin, Apache Server, PostgreSQL server and PHP with PGSQL interface. Also, a full discussion and practical demonstration of how to clone USB sticks with this installation and then adjust to the end users credentials. The method of creating the bootable USB stick is simple and can be carried out in a Windows or Linux environment. A demonstration creating the bootable USB in a Windows environment will be presented and an explanation of how to connect to MOE/Windows resources on your EQ (or other Windows) network to transfer documentation or other data. This "computer on a stick" idea is not particularly new, but the addition of persistent overlay (permanent hard drive space) is a new addition. This method provides students with a means to carry their work with them to any computer in the school, and to home, with exactly the same Linux environment and no set-up overhead. The low cost of 8GB USB sticks makes the approach particularly economical in practice, and the software is FREE! Full working notes of the procedures will be available to participants.
6. Fuzzy Logic Control Systems
As its name suggests, Fuzzy Logic is the logic underlying modes of reasoning which are approximate rather than exact. It is a mathematical approach to problem solving which excels in producing exact results from imprecise data, and is especially useful in industrial, commercial and electronic applications. The human brain can reason with uncertainties, vagueness, and judgments. Computers can only manipulate precise values. Fuzzy logic is an attempt to combine the two techniques. Fuzzy logic is a way of interfacing inherently analogue processes that move through a continuous range of values to a digital computer that likes to see things as well-defined, discrete numeric values. This session will provide participants with both a theoretical overview of what Fuzzy Inference Systems are all about as well as showing practical examples of how rule-based Fuzzy Logic Control Systems can be used in the IPT classroom. Participants will also receive a complete student workbook and supporting software dealing with the topic.
7. VisioModeler: Database Design Delight
The sheer logic of ORM (Object Role Modelling) in database design has always delighted me. When I discovered that VisioModeler would even draw beautiful ORM diagrams for me, I was in computer heaven. And it is free! See how it works, get started yourself, receive a copy of the software and classroom materials. Use it with your IPT class. The students think it is wonderful. Instant gratification rules, OK!
8. Design in ITS using CARP
One system of design principles to effectively and attractively display text and graphics utilizes the CARP (Contrast Alignment Repetition Proximity) method described by Robin Williams and John Tollet (1994). The design principles outlined in CARP can be applied to all forms of design encountered in multimedia; brochures, posters, web pages, animation etc. When the principles of CARP are combined with the design principles relating to the use of colour and text, designing multimedia products can become an easier process than first thought – especially if you think you don’t currently have any design skills. This session will discuss the principles of CARP and look at practical methods for integrating it into all design aspects of ITS focusing on a Flash product.
9. Flash CS4 - Ideas and resources for the classroom
In this presentation, Kristine Kopelke will share the most recent work she has been doing with Adobe Flash and will provide delegates with a tour of the new resource kits she has been creating for the Flash Classroom website. Come along to learn why Kristine is so passionate about using Flash with students and for the creation of digital content for eLearning.
10. SQL - A Visual Lexicon
Some students in IPT struggle with aspects of query formation, particularly when it comes to more complex questions involving table JOINS and SUB-QUERIES. This session will present a well tested and successful method for planning and representing solutions that leads seamlessly to expressing them as SQL queries. Visual metaphors can be internalized by students quickly and provide them with a valuable tool for mapping query solutions by focusing on data flow and connections between what they know and what they are working towards.
11. A Multidimensional Subject – IPT in 3D
In this session we will work through the process of developing an effective and useable standards descriptor matrix (criteria sheet). We will also look at the proposed three dimensions (criteria) for the new IPT syllabus. The aim is to produce a criteria sheet that will conform to syllabus standards, be as objective as possible, and worded to be positive, clear, logically graduated, justifiable, exhibit reproducible grading, and be consistent. Although centred on IPT this session should prove useful for any teacher who develops and uses criteria sheets.
12. Evaluating in ITS using CIPP
Students have difficulty effectively evaluating their projects in ITS using the Context, Input, Process, Product (CIPP) model. This session will look at practical methods for developing awareness of CIPP and look at examples of responses developed by students that deliver the intended requirements.
13. Creating Expert Systems in IPT Using ES-Builder
The presenter, Dave McGuinness is the creator/programmer of ES-Builder and GoKeys!
ES-Builder 3 combines all of the best features of knowledge discovery projects at a high school level into one combined expert system shell application which gives you everything you need for the complete expert system project. The expert system is created as a self-contained web-site that can be published anywhere and link to any other web content by the simple inclusion of hypertext links.
This workshop will take you through the steps of creating a sample expert system/s, focussing on the Human-Computer Interaction and communication concepts. Some assessment ideas will be shared.
14. Event-Based Programming using Top-Down Design and Stepwise Refinement
This demonstration will showcase an approach entitled Event-Based Programming using Top-Down Design and Stepwise Refinement.
The work is based on the textbook: Simple Program Design (Robertson). Algorithmic programming concepts are drawn out into programming examples using HTML/CSS and Javascript.
Software such as Dreamweaver (and/or open source/free software as available), Inspiration (or free alternative, Dia) and Firefox 3.5 (with Web Developers Toolbar).
Top-Down Design is achieved through building Structure Design Charts as a representation of a planned interface. Step-wise refinement is achieved using Pseudocode.
15. Scratching around for a Python.
There are now some exciting new and free programming languages for teachers to use explore in the classroom. This session will give teachers a chance to briefly play with a couple. Scratch is a tile-based visual programming environment that lets kids make games, animated stories, interactive art. It is very easy language to start students off with. Alice is an open-source, graphical software program that allows users to learn the very basics of programming concepts while making 3-D animations. These are used to prepare students for Python and Ren'PY, tools that allows users to create scripts combining introductory programming with storytelling. Python is a portable, interpreted, object-oriented programming language that powers most of the applications by Google and NASA. It is a good teaching language used by universities and increasing in popularity for secondary schools. This is going to be a fast and jam packed session. Hang on and enjoy the roller-coaster ride!
16. Teaching programming using ASPX – Best practise
One of the ITS teachers from Mt St Michael’s College Ashgrove (John Hamilton) has written a plug in for Microsoft Visual Studio, which helps students understand the basics of programming. Similar to Robo Pascal the plug-in allows students to follow the adventures of Robo the Robot as he navigates various challenges. By using this plug-in student can start to understand how they can add interactivity to WebPages. During the session the presenters John Hamilton and Paul Bennett will also be demonstrating their Senior project which connects a SQL database to a Webpage using the same technology.
For questions or to add your presentation contact John Oxley
