Sample marking guidelines for Information Technology
The following marking guidelines have been developed for selected questions from the 2001 HSC Specimen Examination in Information Technology. These guidelines indicate the approach that would be taken to marking questions.For each question, the following are typically included: 1. The units of competency that are targeted by the question.
2. The assessment rubric from the specimen paper, where there is one, listing the set of general criteria that are used to assess responses.
3. The marking guidelines, which show the criteria to be applied to responses along with the marks to be awarded in line with the quality of the responses. For extended-response questions, performance is described at a number of levels of performance, each covering a range of marks.
4. A sample answer or some points that answers might include. Sample answers indicate the scope and depth of treatment expected, and are not intended to be prescriptive. Similarly, the points that could be included in answers are not intended to be an exhaustive list, but rather an indication of the considerations that students could include in their responses.
Marking guidelines will generally require some refinement at the Marking Centre to take account of unanticipated responses that students present. For essay-type questions, the standard described at each mark range will be made clear during pilot-marking by the selection of sample scripts.
In a standards-referenced framework, examination questions are closely linked to syllabus content and outcomes. Expectations of the question are to be clear in the wording of the question. Marking guidelines will be developed at the same time as the examination questions, by examination committees. The development of marking guidelines will be guided by the BoardÕs Principles for Developing Marking Guidelines Examinations in a Standards-Referenced Framework, published in Board Bulletin VolumeÊ9 Number 3 (May 2000).
Question 19 (7 marks) Marks
The International Banking Corporation is a large commercial bank with offices and branches throughout Australia. This bank outsources all of its customer account database development.
(a) Define the term outsourcing. 1
Related unit of competency: ICAITTW001B
MARKING GUIDELINES
Criteria Marks
• Defines outsourcing 1
Sample answer:
Outsourcing is engaging specialist assistance from outside the organisation to undertake work on short or long term projects.
(b) Identify TWO information technology functions, other than database 2 development, that could be outsourced by this bank.
Related unit of competency: ICAITTW001B
MARKING GUIDELINES
Criteria Marks
• Identifies two functions that could be outsourced 2 • Identifies one function that could be outsourced 1 Answers could include:
- network engineering - contract repairs - programming
- financial systems such as payroll
(c) Describe TWO advantages and TWO disadvantages of outsourcing 4 information technology functions.
Sample marking guidelines Ð Information Technology
MARKING GUIDELINES
Criteria Marks
• Describes two advantages and two disadvantages of outsourcing 4 • Describes two advantages and one disadvantage of outsourcing (or
vice-versa) 3
• Describes either two advantages, or two disadvantages or one advantage
and one disadvantage of outsourcing 2
• Describes either one advantage or one disadvantage of outsourcing 1 Answers could include:
Advantages:
- The organisation may save money on staffing, as many expenses associated with permanent employees may be avoided
- Experts may be used for specific projects
Disadvantages:
- Potential long-term costs when systems, processes or technologies change. For example, outsourcersÕ contracts may have to be renegotiated
- Loss of corporate memory as different people are used by outsourcers
- Loss of team cohesion as people who work for the outsourcers may have no sense of belonging to the organisation
Question 21 (15 marks)
The Information Technology Department of APC Industries is developing a new application that will track and manage the organisationÕs desktop computer equipment and supplies. The application will store information related to both computing hardware and software.
Your manager asks you to compose a memorandum to management, detailing the benefits the new application will bring to the organisation. Your memorandum should be formatted using appropriate business layout and take into account the critical information to be captured about APC IndustriesÕ desktop computers.
In this section you will be assessed on how well you: § demonstrate relevant knowledge and understanding
§ communicate ideas and information, using precise industry terminology and appropriate workplace examples
§ organise information in a well-reasoned and cohesive response § solve proposed issues or problems
Related units of competency: ICAITTW001B ICAITTW002B ICAITU005B ICAITU007B MARKING GUIDELINES Criteria Marks
• Provides clear background and context to the situation
• Describes the critical information to be captured about desktops
• Identifies a range of benefits to the organisation, related to these critical information details
• Identifies the likely impact on users
• Communicates ideas in a well-reasoned and cohesive response, using precise industry terminology and appropriate tone
• Includes all appropriate format for a memorandum, ie memo sender, memo recipient, date and subject
13 Ð 15
• Provides some background and context
• Describes the critical information to be captured about desktops
• Identifies some likely benefits to the organisation, with their relation to the captured critical information not explicit
• Communicates ideas clearly using appropriate industry terminology • Includes all appropriate format for a memorandum
10 Ð 12
• Provides some background and context
• Gives an incomplete description of the critical information to be captured about desktops
• Identifies some benefits to the organisation, without relation to critical information details
• Sequences ideas and uses industry terminology • Most memorandum format details present
7 Ð 9
• Provides minimal background and context
• Identifies a few benefits to the organisation, without elaboration • Ideas are presented without clear development
• Some elements of memorandum format present
4 Ð 6
• A few ideas are presented, without any sequence • Critical information details superficially treated
• Limited or no use of appropriate terminology or format
Sample marking guidelines Ð Information Technology
Sample answer:
To : All managers From : IT Department Date : 10/5/00
Subject : New tracking and management system
APC has a rapidly expanding IT inventory that has no centralised tracking and management documentation. This has resulted in the loss of or inefficient use of computer equipment and supplies, and the inability to predict IT needs and so plan for the future. Each department is responsible for its own inventory, with no common system or way of tracking inter-departmental loans, repairs, purchases or writings.
The proposed new tracking and management system will enable:
- the IT needs of APC Industries as a whole and each department to be more readily and efficiently determined
- write-offs, replacement needs and purchases to be coordinated centrally, resulting in economies of scale
- more efficient use of IT resources as computer equipment and supplies are targeted to departments on a ÔneedsÕ basis
- losses due to theft, misplacements and unreported faults being substantially reduced - IT audits to be conducted quickly and accurately.
The new tracking system will be phased in over the next three months, on a department by department basis, with a detailed schedule of implementation dates attached. The IT department will provide initial training to key members of each department, and
ongoing support via a HELP desk, and extensive user documentation in both hard copy and software help files.
Once the initial implementation of the tracking application is complete, with existing data entered, all Departments should find the tracking of computer equipment and supplies, and the equitable and efficient use of same, to be an easier and more efficient task.
Data required includes: date purchased, price, supplier, serial number, current
department, location, user details, repair details, down value and expected write-off date.
Further information may be obtained by contacting the IT Department Help Desk on Extension 321 or visiting the APC Industries intranet and clicking on ÔNew tracking and management systemÕ.
