Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What follows is a list of some of the most frequently asked questions about IPT, along with answers supplied by:

Mr Peter Whitehouse
HOF ICT, IPT Coordinator
St. Joseph's College,
Gregory Terrace

The list of questions is not exhaustive, but indicative of what most parents and students ask during subject information evenings. The answers represent the professional opinion of Mr Peter Whitehouse - that opinion may differ from other teachers of IPT.

Q½: What do I need to study this subject?
Q1: What are the pre-requisites?
Q2: Do I need a computer at home?
Q3: What course resources exist for this subject?
Q4: I am not connected to the Internet- is that a disadvantage?
Q5: What is the work load like?
Q6: How is the content organised?
Q7: What counts and what doesn't?
Q8: What sort of assignments are there?
Q9: What software should I have on my home computer to best support my child?
Q10: I think my child needs to learn computers - is IPT the subject for them?
Q11: My child is not a computer nerd - will they cope?
Q12: Is it ok to do Maths A with IPT?
Q13: Not all schools offer IPT - why is this?
Q14: Success in what subjects is indicative of likely success in IPT?
Q15: What is the mixture of Theory/Prac in this subject?
Q16: My child enjoyed IT in Year 8 - will they enjoy IPT?
Q17: How much more is a mark in IPT worth than other subjects?
Q18: How does IPT help me at Uni?

Question NOT covered? - Ask Mr Whitehouse via the Internet

Q: What do I need to study this subject?
A: IPT is a mixture of theory and "hands on" activities. A typical class lesson would involve taking notes and trying things on computer. It is suggested that students invest in an A4 binder book for their notes. Handouts are RARELY given out in this subject - a concerted attempt is to include ALL notes, websheets and other details in this website. If students choose to print out the material kept herein, this also fine. A document wallet of clip-binder sleeves would make this easier. A calculator and pen/pencil combo is also useful - much of the time we will be drawing diagrams and non-reversable biro is a pain.

Q: What are the pre-requisites?
A: IPT has NO formal pre-requiste subjects. There is no recommended courses that lead to IPT. No pre-knowledge is assumed when starting out in IPT. It is assumed, however, that you have a good grasp of english and your maths is also acceptable - during the course you will learn a number of new, technical languages and will be immersed in complex problem solving.

Q: Do I need a computer at home?
A: Need - no. generally adequate exposure/practical access is provided for your child at school - both in-class and outside normal class hours (before school, lunch time and after school). Is there an advantage in being able to practise this stuff at home - DEFINITELY!

Q: What course resources exist for this subject?
A: The course is described by this electronic text book. Additional material is supplied to students in the form of workbooks and other handouts. This textbook contains content, eXercises, the course Work Program and many ways to get help.

Q: I am not connected to the Internet- is that a disadvantage?
A: Students are encouraged to use the electronic text book at school, print it as they need to, and are able to take it home with them (on CDROM, USB memory drive or floppy disks- just ask your teacher). Students with 'Net access can contact their teacher outside normal school hours for assistance. Much of the coursework is interactive, sometimes in our MOO and is complimented by assistance on-line - an Internet connection is preferrable.

Q: What is the work load like?
A: Heavy and irregular. Students are engaged in a variety of problem solving tasks, some minor class tasks, others major projects involving complex system development. Often, major projects require significant investment of out-of-class time. Although homework is not set every night, successful students of IPT are able to find consolidation work taking each night. Students need to be self-motivated and be able to work productively in groups and solo.

Q: How is the content organised?
A: The course is divided into 5 Units: Information Systems (including database manipulation and database design), Algorithms & Programming, Computer Systems (hardware), Artificial Intelligence and Social/Ethical Issues. Each unit compliments the other, but the units are discrete and assessed separately.

Q: What counts and what doesn't?
A: Most assessment undertaken in IPT counts towards exit - Year 11 amounts to 50% of the assessment load, with Year 12 taking the balance of 50%. Students are assessed using written exam, practical projects and research/written tasks.

Q: What sort of assignments are there?
A: There are 2 sets of research essays, 2 major system development projects (A Database system and a Computer Game), and a minor practical exercise - the Minor projects typically span 4 weeks, the Major projects span a semester. The expectation is that all hand-ins are computer generated - that is word processed, free of typographical errors and professionally presented. Much of the written assignment in IPT is completed inside the College's MOO - this is a virtual learning environment that allows students to access their assignments from home and school.

Q: What software should I have on my home computer to best support my child?
A: This is a difficult question, as versions come and go - students have adequate access to the software they need to use at school (including Microsoft Access, MicroSQL, Borland Delphi, Windows and Linux). Students are also, for presentation purposes, exposed to Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Frontpage etc.). Much of the written assignment in IPT is completed inside the College's MOO - to access this an Internet connection and version 4+ browser is required. You will be provided with a login and password.

Q: I think my child needs to learn computers - is IPT the subject for them?
A: If you want them to problem solve using computers and learn about some aspects of computer science - YES. If you want them to be competent typists, know how to drive a graphics package or wordprocessor, then this may not be the course for your child as these general 'productivity' applications are not covered as part of the course..

Q: My child is not a computer nerd - will they cope?
A: Sure - Successful students come in all types. Often the 'nerd' knows a lot about a very specific topic, but may find themselves out of their depth in some aspects of the course - everyone brings different gifts and talents to the subject. Students who are intimidated by computers will need to overcome their reticence to use them.

Q: Is it ok to do Maths A with IPT?
A: IPT has a mathematical component - the Algorithms and Programming unit involves some challenging mathematical concepts, and the ability to deal with abstract concepts at a high level. Often, students who are not doing really well in Maths A also struggle with many aspects of IPT.

Q: Not all schools offer IPT - why is this?
A: IPT is a complex academic discipline involving may areas of Computer Science. IPT teachers have very specialised knowledge and usually specific Computer Science or Computer Education qualifications and, unfortunately, there are too few IPT teachers to support this subject in all schools.

Q: Success in what subjects is indicative of likely success in IPT?
A: Interestingly, Achievement in SCIENCE, ENGLISH and MATHEMATICS are indicators of likely success in IPT. Much of the course involves problem solving (Science) and coming to grips with nuances in computer languages (English). Saying this, however, one must keep in mind that achievement in IPT requires active participation and an enquiring mind - probably true for all subjects offered.

Q: What is the mixture of Theory/Prac in this subject?
A: The mix varies from unit to unit - most units have a significant on-machine component and a theoretical component as well.

Q: My child enjoyed IT in Year 8 - will they enjoy IPT?
A: IPT and Junior IT have very little in common - save they both use computers as tools. IPT is not the subject to do if your child need to learn Wordprocessing or Spreadsheeting for example. It is assumed that they already have those skills, or can acquire them in their own time.

Q: How much more is a mark in IPT worth than other subjects?
A: It is misleading to suggest that any subject advantages a student over another. Any subject can be either a positive or negative influence on a student's exiting marks and OP depending how they, and the students around them, perform. Students are encouraged to do as well as they are able to (and consistently so in IPT as assessment is cumulative).

Q: How does IPT help me at Uni?
A: Again, this depends on the area of tertiary study. Should students persue an IT major, then many aspects of IPT will re-inforce content encountered in the first couple of years at Uni. Importantly, IPT also increases student confidence using computers, making new skill acquisition less difficult.

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