What is meant by ‘two different tasks / activities?
How much evidence of development should there be?
How much autonomy is required?
Is it necessary to include either a spreadsheet or a database?
Why is it necessary to annotate the portfolios at level 3?
Why are two audiences necessary for 3.3?
How long should the portfolios be?
What is meant by the term complex?
Q. What is meant by ‘two different tasks / activities?
A. Different tasks / activities are tasks that the candidates are set, or choose to do, in order that they can provide the evidence to meet Part B of the Standards at the relevant level. There will be a minimum of two tasks involved if candidates complete all the requirements of Part B in the Standards for each task, i.e. each of obtaining the information, entering and developing the information, and presenting it, although more tasks may be used if separate tasks are used for each component of Part B. The tasks should be sufficiently different to allow the candidate to be able to demonstrate competency in the use of different skills through using a range of software applications.
Q. How much evidence of development should there be?
A. It is important to show evidence of development of each of text, number and image at all levels. Although signed statements can be used to provide evidence of development the most common evidence for both text and image is in the form of drafts. It is not necessary to produce drafts of the entire portfolio; evidence can be limited to selected paragraphs and images. It is important to note that development of text includes the development of both content and presentation. For the development of number it is sufficient to manipulate the data to produce totals or other values.
Q. How much autonomy is required?
A. This is dependent on the level concerned. At level 1 the candidates can be given a range of tasks (and sub – tasks) making it clear exactly what the candidate is expected to produce and which software applications should be used. At level 3 there should be considerable autonomy. Candidates should decide for themselves what software applications are appropriate to meet the requirements of the tasks set and also how the portfolio is structured. Level 2 portfolios will be intermediate between level 1 and level 3 in terms of the degree of autonomy expected.
Q. Is it necessary to include either a spreadsheet or a database?
A. There is no requirement to include either a spreadsheet or a database. Databases are not commonly presented in portfolios but most candidates submitting portfolios at levels 2 - 3 will include a spreadsheet to show evidence of number. The development of number could also be shown using tables with formulae or by using statistical programs that manipulate data such as programs for Chi – Square, standard deviation and equivalent. However, at levels 2 – 3 it is important to show the development of number at an appropriate level of complexity.
Q. Why is it necessary to annotate the portfolios at level 3?
A. This is important to show that you have an understanding of why particular techniques are used and also that you are able to evaluate your work. This might include explaining why a particular font size and style was used in a particular presentation or why an image was cropped in a particular way. Annotation can also be used to show how feedback from others helped guide the final presentation.
Q. Why are two audiences necessary for 3.3?
A. This is associated with the greater level of sophistication required for the presentation of evidence at level 3. Level 3 candidates should be able to produce presentations tailored to the needs of the specific audiences in terms of level of language, format etc. Typical audiences used include the candidate’s teacher, a community group and a junior class.
Q. How long should the portfolios be?
A. There is no specific length suggested at any level. Quality is more important than quantity. As long as all the requirements of Part B of the Standards are addressed at the appropriate level of complexity this will be sufficient. Printouts of large sections of Internet material are not uncommon in portfolios and this is unnecessary as a few representative pages would suffice.
Q. What is meant by the term complex?
A. Generally there is a progression in the complexity required with an increase in level. In some cases this is quite specific; for example the requirement to use combined work (e.g. text with image) in an integrated manner at levels 2 and 3 but not at level 1. In general, the complexity of work should match the skills exemplified in Part A of the Standards and there should be some use of the skills that are specified only for that level, or a higher level. Examples at level 3 include mail merge and LOOKUP functions within spreadsheets.