[alevel-ict] Coursework
- From: "Thomas Mr B" <THOMAS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: " (freelists)" <alevel-ict@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 09:19:17 -0000
Choosing a project (pp 108-9)
Situations where ICT is useful
There are situations where using computers is suitable and others where
they are not.
The following situations are where ICT is ideal:
for boring or repetitive work
for jobs which have to be done quickly
for jobs where data needs to be better organized
for jobs that need more security
for jobs where there is a shortage of labour
for jobs where better information is need in order to make decisions
for jobs where there needs to be better presentation.
Task related
The syllabus recommends that the AS project should be task related.
What does this mean?
It means that you shouldn't invent the problem or produce a solution for
yourself.
These projects are always dire and easy to spot for the examiner.
It is also a not a good idea for tutor to set a problem for you to solve
unless it is a real one.
Where do you find a problem?
Your parents
Your relatives
Your part-time job, especially if you work for a small business
(projects based on Sainsbury's are not a good idea)
Your work placement company/organization.
Your parent's friends
Clubs or societies you belong to
Ex teachers
Small local business - plumbers, electricians, accountants, computer
hardware builders, dress and cake makers, quilt makers. All of these
have been used successfully.
Departments of large companies can be used e.g. the training division of
a large company like Rolls Royce or the Health and Safety unit of large
locally based building company.
Teachers are often not a good source as they are often too busy but the
admin office might want a booking system for evening use of the outdoor
hard courts or gym.
Above all make sure you can regularly keep in contact with your end
user. Avoid end-users who live abroad!
Topics to avoid:
Payroll - too complicated especially when working out tax, national
insurance etc.
Stock control - especially in large companies.
Simple word-processing projects involving basic mail merging.
Large companies eg McDonalds
Video stores
Any examples quoted in the main textbooks - newspaper delivery, theme
parks, driving schools, insurance quotation systems - UNLESS you can
make them individual.
Some good ideas:
Booking systems
Invoicing systems
Timetabling of facilities - computer rooms in a school, tennis courts,
sports trainers
Record keeping - collections, hire equipment.
Web sites for clubs, hotels, plumbers, chemists, accountants,
electricians, security device fitters, sportswear manufacturers, fitness
trainers, recording studios.
Scheduling systems for events.
Choose something you are interested in.
It is going to dominate your life for part of your AS life if it going
to be any good.
Pick a happy medium -not too complex or too small.
Software
Your tutor will probably recommend a particular package to you.
Lots of schools advise you to use a spreadsheet or database package for
your project.
These packages are very suitable because you can demonstrate that a lot
of processing is going on.
However there is nothing to stop you using a DTP or web based package
but you need to take care here as a basic DTP project is not A Level
standard. You'll need some help from your ICT tutors as to advanced
features and the processing of data.
Moderators are always on the look out for projects that show some
originality in a range of applications. It makes their job more
pleasurable!!
Example Project/how data is obtained/why computers are better.
What application packages can and can't do
Application
Brand names
Suitable for
Not suitable for
Word/Text Processing
Star Office
MS Word
Presentation project
Data storage
Calculations on data
Spreadsheet
Star Office
MS Excel
Data handling
Presentation
Relational Databases
Database
MySQL
MS Access
Data handling
Relational Databases
Presentations
Slideshow Presentation
Star Office
MS PowerPoint
Presentations
Website Projects
MS Star Office
Arachacnophilia
Netscape/Mozilla
Composer
Dreamweaver
MS FrontPage
Websites!
Presentations
Example sports club diff between spreadsheet and database for a sports
club.
Research methods - pros and cons.
Another warning about suitability.
Importance of a good end user.
Flow charts and data flow but not DFDs.
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