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Staff
Subject Head
Marcel Sammons: BIS (UP), BIS Hons (UP)
Click here to email Marcel Sammons.
Overview
Information Technology is the study of the various interrelated physical and non-physical technologies used for the capturing of data, the processing of data into useful information and the management, presentation and dissemination of data. Information Technology studies the activities that deal with the solution of problems through logical and computational thinking. It includes the physical and non-physical components for the electronic transmission, access and manipulation of data and information.
The table below provides the six topics and sub-topics to be covered in Information Technology in grades 10-12. It is important to note that there will always be a degree of overlap between topics. Solution development is enabled by systems technologies in the form of application software. Systems technologies allow for electronic communication. Electronic communication technologies enable the Internet, which is used for various applications that include information dissemination and electronic data interchange. Data and information management is a key concept and secondary activity overlapping concepts in many other areas such as solution development and Internet technologies. Data and information management is enabled by systems technologies. All ICT activities are primarily driven by human involvement, need and intervention, which in turn give rise to social and ethical issues. For example, when teaching Communication Technologies, one could incorporate the social implications involved. This is also applicable to the Systems Technologies topic where the relevant social implications could be highlighted.
| Topic Area | Sub-Topics | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Solution Development | Algorithms and Problem Solving Introduction to Solution Development Application Development Software Engineering Principles |
±60% |
| Communication Technologies | Networks E-communication |
±7% |
| System Technologies | Introduction to Computers Hardware Software Computer Management |
±10% |
| Network Technologies | Internet World Wide Web Internet Services |
±8% |
| Data and Information Management | Data Representation Database Management Database Design |
±10% |
| Social Implications | Legal Issues Ethical Issues Social Issues Environmental Issues Health Issues Computers and Society |
±5% |
Grade 10
Enjoy Delphi – A guide to Problem Solving and Programming Part 1 – Study Opportunities
IT is gr8! @ Grade 10 – Study Opportunities
Grade 11
IT is gr8! @ Grade 11 Theory – Study Opportunities
IT is gr8! @ Grade 11 Delphi – Study Opportunities
Grade 12
IT is gr8! @ Grade 12 Theory – Study Opportunities
IT is gr8! @ Grade 12 Delphi – Study Opportunities
Homework
Due to the practical nature of the subject, programming needs to be practiced on a daily basis.
Class tests are written on a regular basis.
Assessment
Formal Assessment in Grade 10 and 11
| During the Year | End-of-Year Examination | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 25% | 75% | ||
| 25% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
| 5 Tests June Exam |
Project Software development project including aspects of planning cycle as well as principles of software engineering |
Written Exam 2-3 hours Theory aspects of all content, concepts and skills of all topics, including Solution Development |
Practical Exam 2-3 hours Solution Development |
Formal Assessment in Grade 12:
| During the Year | End-of-Year Examination | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 25% | 75% | ||
| SBA Tasks | Practical Assessment Task | End-of-Year Exam Papers (50%) | |
| 25% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
| 4 Tests
June Exam September Exam |
Project
Software development project including aspects of planning cycle as well as principles of software engineering |
Written Exam
3 hours Theory aspects of all content, concepts and skills of all topics, including Solution Development |
Practical Exam
3 hours Solution Development |
Practical Assessment Task
A practical assessment task (PAT) mark is a compulsory component of the final promotion mark for all candidates offering subjects that have a practical component and counts 25% (100 marks) of the end-of-the-year examination mark. The PAT is implemented across the first three terms of the school year and is broken down into different phases or a series of smaller activities that make up the PAT. The IT PAT is a software development project in which learners have the opportunity to demonstrate their software development and programming skills. The purpose of the PAT is to work extensively with content knowledge to improve programming and organisational skills, to implement higher-order and critical-thinking skills, to formulate strategies and solve problems on different levels and to develop good working practices (time management, thorough planning, perseverance, presentation and marketing) to prepare learners for the real world.
Learners will need to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the software development life cycle through analysis, design, coding and testing of the project and will have to show effective use of the software design tools and techniques that they have been taught.
Co-Curricular Involvement
IT students take part in the annual Computer Olympiad Talent Search and Programming Competitions which is held under the auspices of the Institute of IT Professionals South Africa.
The Talent Search is the South African version of the Bebras Contest which attracts more than two million participants in the rest of the world each year. The contest requires the use of Computational Thinking – those skills that are also required for Mathematics, Science, IT and Computer Applications. The Talent Search identifies learners with the skills, but at the same time gives all an opportunity to develop these skills.
The Programming Olympiad is a challenge for learners who can use a programming language like Scratch, Python, Java, C++ or Delphi. In the First Round, the participants have to solve a number of problems using the language of their choice. For the Second Round and also for the Final Round the languages are more restricted. Selected participants are entered into the International Olympiad in Informatics.