RE: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Re: Open file formats and idiology - some thoughts
A - level ICT syllabuses make a big point of extolling the virtues of client - server and distributed databases but then accept coursework projects done in Access (what is all that about?).
OCR extols it in one part of one section of one module at A2. Pupil's knowledge really needs to be principles and background rather than technical, looking at exam questions. Being pragmatic, I would consider a pupil's chosen project - then point out that a 'pure database' solution will take a lot less development time than a web + SQL one. Less development time FOR HIM as an inexperienced developer. And since almost all the marks in project work come from following the development process and documenting it, and relatively few from the implementation per se, I would always want a candidate to spend as much time on paperwork as possible. Hence the minimum time necessary to a good implementation. This of course isn't education - it's mark chasing. But with UCAS points, parental attitudes, Management Team and school leagues to consider, I think we all end up doing a lot of mark chasing. My exam board may not specify Access, but all the exemplar and training material I have ever found for OCR ICT is based on Access - because that's what they know about. There's an OCR (I have had students develop database-only and others client/server stuff. It's up to them really. I will support what they want to do whether it's Access, asp, php, Mysql whatever.) -- Derek -- ******************************************************************************** All mail sent and received may be examined to prevent transmission of unacceptable material. Wellington College does not accept responsibility for email contents. Problems to postmaster@wellington-college.berks.sch.uk. Website: http://www.wellington-college.berks.sch.uk ********************************************************************************
On Thursday 27 November 2003 22:42, Grainge, Derek wrote:
A - level ICT syllabuses make a big point of extolling the virtues of client - server and distributed databases but then accept coursework projects done in Access (what is all that about?).
OCR extols it in one part of one section of one module at A2. Pupil's knowledge really needs to be principles and background rather than technical, looking at exam questions.
Being pragmatic, I would consider a pupil's chosen project - then point out that a 'pure database' solution will take a lot less development time than a web + SQL one. Less development time FOR HIM as an inexperienced developer. And since almost all the marks in project work come from following the development process and documenting it, and relatively few from the implementation per se, I would always want a candidate to spend as much time on paperwork as possible. Hence the minimum time necessary to a good implementation.
This of course isn't education - it's mark chasing. But with UCAS points, parental attitudes, Management Team and school leagues to consider, I think we all end up doing a lot of mark chasing.
Could not agree more
My exam board may not specify Access, but all the exemplar and training material I have ever found for OCR ICT is based on Access - because that's what they know about. There's an OCR
(I have had students develop database-only and others client/server stuff. It's up to them really. I will support what they want to do whether it's Access, asp, php, Mysql whatever.)
We use the AQA syllabus which has slightly more coverage on these database topics than OCR seems to have. I agree with you about the use of asp, php etc., in my experience these types of projects are usually not done very well if attempted. If the examiners only know about Access should we trust them to write the syllabi for us to follow? A database driven web site is not the only alternative for these types of projects. MySQL can be used to provide the backend but the frontend could be constructed using: Rekall and/or OpenOffice on Windows, or Rekall, Knoda and/ or OpenOffice on Linux. At the moment I teach using MySQL and Knoda and this allows a more in depth, conceptual approach to database application design and theory than I believe it is possible to achieve using Access. regards garry
-- *************************************************************************** ***** All mail sent and received may be examined to prevent transmission of unacceptable material. Wellington College does not accept responsibility for email contents. Problems to postmaster@wellington-college.berks.sch.uk. Website: http://www.wellington-college.berks.sch.uk *************************************************************************** *****
participants (2)
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garry saddington -
Grainge, Derek