Information Processes Technology HSC Seminar Singleton High School

Information Processes & Technology HSC Seminar Singleton High School 25 th May 2018 Tony Skimmings Computer Technology Head Teacher IPT Teacher Dungog High School

Seminar Outline Introduction Course Format HSC Exam Format Core Topic 1 – Project Management Core Topic 2 – Information Systems & Databases Core Topic 3 – Communication Systems Exam Preparation / Resources

IPT Course Format Project Management (20%) Techniques for managing a project Understanding the problem Planning Designing solutions Implementing Testing, evaluating and maintaining Information Systems and Databases (20%) Information systems Database information systems Organisation Storage and retrieval Other information processes Issues related to information systems

IPT Course Format Communication Systems (20%) Characteristics of communication systems Examples of communication systems Transmitting and receiving in communication systems Other information processes in communication systems Managing communication systems Issues related to communication systems Option Strands (40%) Students will select TWO of the following options: Transaction Processing Systems Decision Support Systems Automated Manufacturing Systems Multimedia Systems

Changes to IPT syllabus The IPT syllabus has changed. 2009 was the first year that content from the new syllabus was examined. Get a copy of the syllabus AND Specifications Document from NESA Google HSC Syllabus NESA

The HSC Exam Band Descriptor Band 6 (7. 52%) Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of a specified information system and the relationships between each of the components. Analyses and develops information systems with complete interdependence between processes. Demonstrates a high level ethical usage of systems and evaluates the effects of information systems on the individual, society and the environment. Proposes innovative ways in which information systems will meet emerging needs within an historical context. Comprehensively assesses the ethical implications and justifies the selection of resources and tools to develop and manage projects. Demonstrates extensive analysis of a situation to determine a need and develops an outstanding solution. Implements outstanding management techniques, possesses excellent communication skills and comprehensively documents project work.

The HSC Exam

Exam Format

Exam Trends Look at past HSC exam papers for trends. Try and identify topics which are regularly examined. Examples Social and Ethical issues – Privacy, Security, Copyright, Changing Nature of Work, data accuracy data mining and warehousing and Globalisation Context Diagrams, DFDs, Decision Trees /Tables SQLs are in most IPT HSC exams including 2017. Feasibility constraints and conversion methods are in most exams Emerging technologies – particularly, VOD, VOIP, wireless, social networking and Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality The Information system diagram and the 7 Information Processes, . Study and remember organising, analysing, processing, they are the hardest three processes, the others are common sense. Eg Q 22 - 2017

Core Topic 1 – Project Management

Core Topic 1 – Project Management Planning Feasibility Constraints – in most HSC exams Feasibility study of proposed solutions, including: economic feasibility technical feasibility operational feasibility scheduling Alternative Approaches – in most HSC exams IPT traditional outsourcing prototyping customisation participant development agile methods

Core Topic 1 – Project Management Designing Tools used in designing, including: Context Diagrams – It only has 1 process!! Don’t mix it up with the DFD. Context relates to the system as a whole. Data Flow Diagrams – Not the same as Context Diagrams. Can have many processes and relate to the flow of data within the system. Decision Trees, Decision tables (It is likely that students will be drawing a Context or DFD or both in the exam and will interpret Decision Trees and Tables based on past exams)

Core Topic 1 – Project Management Data dictionaries – extra columns added in new syllabus. Have appeared in most HSC IPT Exams. Storyboards – use thought clouds with storyboards, data forms and multimedia screen designs to help the examiner understand you. Know the different types of story board – Hierarchical, Linear and Non Linear. Know where they are used and recognise that linear storyboards can move forward and backwards. Gantt Charts - know how to draw them and how to interpret them. The Specifications document on the board of studies shows samples of these diagrams.

Core Topic 1 – Project Management A data dictionary is a table providing a comprehensive description of each field in the database. This commonly includes: field name, data type, data format, field size, description and example. This is shown in the example below (from specifications document) Field name Data type Data format Field size Description Example User. Id First. Name Surname DOB Hourly. Pay. Rate Height Fees. Paid Text Date Currency Real Boolean NNNN DD/MM/YYYY #####. ## 8 25 25 10 8 3 1 Unique eight-digit number represented as text First name of employee Surname of employee Date of birth as a short date format Rate of pay expressed in dollars per hour Height in metres, with two decimal places Y or N for Yes or No 0001539 Bill Smith 15/07/1982 34. 50 1. 58 Y

Core Topic 1 – Project Management Decision Trees & Decision Tables Conversion Methods – Direct, Phased, Parallel & Pilot

Core Topic 1 – Project Management Data Flow Diagrams and Context Diagrams DFD Context

Core Topic 1 – Project Management Data Flow Diagrams and Context Diagrams DFD - 2010 Context – Q 21 2017 “construct a context Diagram”

Core Topic 1 – Project Management This question targets Project Management and Databases and Information Systems

Core Topic 2 – Information Systems & Databases Database basics Databases contain 4 main components – Tables, Forms, Queries and Reports There are two main types of databases: Flat File – 1 Table Relational – Multiple Tables linked together with keys. Know your primary and foreign keys. Relational Databases are defined with a schema Schemas and Data Dictionaries are big favourites in HSC exams. Have been in most past HSC exams. Know about Data Redundancy (repeated data in Flat File) and Normalisation (Reducing repeated data by creating relational database). This is in most HSC exams

Core Topic 1 – Project Management Data Dictionaries 2016 Data Dictionaries again in 2010

Core Topic 2 – Information Systems & Databases Schema

Core Topic 2 – Information Systems & Databases 2017

Core Topic 2 – Information Systems & Good Design Elements in Database Forms – Study these elements : Text Boxes, Radio buttons and drop down menus and understand the importance of validation checks within these. Databases

Core Topic 2 – Information Systems & Databases Entity (Table)- An entity is a specific “thing” or “topic” about data that is collected and stored, eg. Entities on Students in school DB Attribute (Field)- An attribute is the defined property of an entity. Attributes are the same as in a flat file database, eg. Student Surname Relationship - A relationship is the way in which entities (tables) are related to one another. eg Student table linked to Subjects table Tuple (Record) – A piece of information in a table. Eg. A students details

Core Topic 2 – Information Systems & Databases Data Dictionary A data dictionary provides a comprehensive description of each attribute (field) in the database Field Name – Should be selected carefully Data Type – Eg. Text, numbers, date/time Field Size – The width of the field Description – Contents description Example – Example of data

Core Topic 2 – Information Systems & Databases SQL Structured Query Language (SQL) is the code which represents queries. SQL queries are designed to search a database for specific data. SELECT (Fields is to be displayed) FROM (Tables to be used) WHERE (Search criteria) ORDER BY (Sequence in which the results are displayed);

Core Topic 2 – Information Systems & Databases

Core Topic 3 – Communication Systems Framework It will be prudent to memorize this diagram – include the protocols in each level too. Syllabus 2009 HSC

Core Topic 3 – Communication Systems Framework Memorize and Understand the protocols and where they are used application level protocols http smtp SSL communication control and addressing level protocols TCP IP transmission level protocols Ethernet Token ring

Core Topic 3 – Communication Systems Q 22 b 2010 Data Dictionary Again – No surprises This Question is about TCP and IP Checksum here. Also know parity and CRC

Core Topic 3 – Communication Systems Hubs and Switches Routers Bridges and Gateways Network Interface Cards (NIC) mobile phones (emerging and converging) Cables wireless access points Bluetooth devices Topologies (Bus and ring almost redundant? ) Protocols

Core Topic 3 – Communication Systems

Core Topic 3 – Communication Systems 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017 HSCs - strong Focus on wireless and communication protocols This was not surprising – wireless has emerged enormously recently and user uptake is high

Core Topic 3 – Communication Systems Just my Opinion We have seen emergence in social networking such as face book and twitter. These are also being used as political tools. Globalisation features strongly in the media. I believe the HSC may target these as social and ethical issues. VOIP (eg Skype) is attracting attention – social networking, Podcasting, Video on Demand, the cloud and apps marketing are also attracting high levels of attention (particularly with the expansion of the portable touchpad such as ipad). A band 6 student needs to demonstrate that they are in touch with emerging technologies (including those listed in the specs document).

Exam Preparation / Tips / Resources The exam is based on the entire HSC course. Use the syllabus as your guiding document. Set up summary / revision sheets from the syllabus and the specification document. It is very important to understand that you must be able to apply your knowledge to a variety of scenarios where you must recognise that the question involves communication systems or database information systems. Your answers must relate to the question, the scenario given and show that you can apply the facts you have learnt to the given situations. As well as the content for the course it is essential to understand the glossary of key words used in all of the HSC examinations. Words from identify to critically analyse will assist you in determining the depth that is required in your answer. The glossary of key words is available online. Relate practical experiences, projects and assessments from class to questions.

Exam Preparation / Tips / Resources Use your knowledge the network at your school, your library or perhaps where you have a part-time job. Look around you, investigate information systems, ask questions. What is the purpose of the system? Inquire about the information technology used such as hardware and software, identify the data and the participants and the environment of the system. In the examination: Read the question carefully Underline the important aspects of the given scenario Identify what the key words, such as compare and contrast, are asking you to do Relate your answer to the case study, scenario or real-life problem that is in the question Use diagrams where possible and relevant.

Exam Preparation / Tips / Resources Google HSC Past Papers, choose first link http: //educationstandards. nsw. edu. au/wps/portal/nesa/11 -12/Understanding-the-curriculum/resources/hsc-exampapers NESA– for Past HSCs, Exam Notes, Multiple Choice questions, Syllabus, Specifications Document – the highlighted versions show the new content. These seem to be targeted in exams. Most importantly your Teacher and classmates.