Mr. Damon's terminale IB
ITGS - class of 2010

This page is to inform you of your homework, exam revision and any other information you will need.  The assignments will be listed in reverse chronological order so that the most recent work will be on top of the list.  

(See below the box for homework)

Want to build your ICT vocabulary for this class and keep up-to-date with computer and technology news?  Why not check out these links:

Podcasts:

News agencies and magazine web sites:

Web resources:

For bibliographical entries, you can use Citation Machine or EasyBib. 

 

 
How can I contact Mr. Damon if I have a question?
 

To Do Every Week:

  • Have a look at technology news on TV, in newspapers or on some of the sites listed above, notably the NPR Technology News podcasts.  Keep up-to-date on how information technology is being used to help businesses, hospitals, governments, schools, or the entertainment industry.  This will help you in your essay writing and class discussions because you will have a wide variety of real-life examples and you will build a collection of news items and vocabulary words
  • Be sure to keep up with IA Project Work.  You should be spending an hour or so on your project each week.    

 

   

Revision for the Bac Blanc Week in February 2010:

  • All of Section 1:
    • All the social and ethical issues
    • Be sure to know the definitions given in the very beginning of the IB Programme Guide for ITGS - in the section called "Nature of the Subject", definitions are given for information technology, social impact, ethical considerations and what an information system is.
    • Also, the section called "Methodologies for analysing social impact and ethical considerations" has examples of the key questions we have been asking when we look at an IT problem in a social context (such as "What are the advantages and disadvantages for the stakeholders?"). 
  • The following sections of Topic 2:
    • 2.1.1 Systems fundamentals
    • 2.1.2 Networks
    • 2.2.1 Software fundamentals
    • 2.2.2 Databases and spreadsheets
    • 2.2.3 Word processing and desktop publishing
    • 2.2.4 Images, sound and presentations
    • 2.2.5 Modelling and simulations
    • 2.2.6 Tutorials, training and wizards (assistants)
    • 2.3.1 The Internet
    • 2.4.1 Robotics
    • 2.4.2 Artificial intelligence and expert systems

    Remember, when you study, always follow this order:

    1. start with the IB Programme Guide for ITGS to see what the assessment statements are (i.e. "evaluate the social and ethical issues involved in the use of software..")
    2. use the guide to help you grasp the difference between each command term (define, identify, describe, outline, explain, evaluate...)
    3. refer to any class notes you have
    4. double check that you have memorized all the IT vocabulary terms (this is what the flash cards are for) - you should know them in both directions:  word to definition and definition to word. 

Have a look at my compositions groupées revision guide.  It contains suggestions for successful revision and test-taking skills. 
 
   
   
  Project Work deadlines: 
  • 14 January:  Logbooks will be collected and checked for Criterion J (testing)
  • 18 January:  last chance to send a draft of Criterion J (testing). (note:  if my records are correct, your TOK work is due that week, too so plan ahead)
  • 25 January: Logbooks checked for the last Criterion K (impact) & last chance to send a draft of Criterion K
  • 1 February: Product must be put on CD which will be submitted in class (after this you have the Bac Blanc week and then you have 2 weeks vacation)
  • 9 March:  Final Project Report + Logbook + CD will be given in to Miss Burchill during Homeroom
   

Images to use in photo editing exercise:

first click on the image, then save image by right-clicking

 

Revision for the Bac Blanc Week in November 2009:

  • All of Section 1:
    • All the social and ethical issues
    • Be sure to know the definitions given in the very beginning of the IB Programme Guide for ITGS - in the section called "Nature of the Subject", definitions are given for information technology, social impact, ethical considerations and what an information system is.
    • Also, the section called "Methodologies for analysing social impact and ethical considerations" has examples of the key questions we have been asking when we look at an IT problem in a social context (such as "What are the advantages and disadvantages for the stakeholders?"). 
  • The following sections of Topic 2:
    • 2.1.1 Systems fundamentals
    • 2.2.1 Software fundamentals
    • 2.2.2 Databases and spreadsheets
    • 2.2.3 Word Processing and Desktop Publishing
    • 2.2.4 Images, Sound and Presentations (we'll continue this after the vacation)
    • 2.4.1 Robotics
    • 2.4.2 Artificial Intelligence and Expert systems
  • Remember, when you study, always follow this order:
    1. start with the IB Programme Guide for ITGS to see what the assessment statements are (i.e. "evaluate the social and ethical issues involved in the use of software..")
    2. use the guide to help you grasp the difference between each command term (define, identify, describe, outline, explain, evaluate...)
    3. refer to any class notes you have
    4. double check that you have memorized all the IT vocabulary terms (this is what the flash cards are for) - you should have about 150 by now and you should know them in both directions:  word to definition and definition to word. 

Have a look at my compositions groupées revision guide.  It contains suggestions for successful revision and test-taking skills. 
 
   
   
 

Project Work in September and October:

  • You should be blocking a time in your busy schedules to spend at least 1 or 2 hours on project work each week. 
  • You should be working on the testing aspect of your project.  This is Criterion J.  Be sure to read about this criterion in the pages from the guide which you printed in your log book.  As you work, be sure to answer each question in the checklist for Criterion J.     
  • The testing will take many weeks because you need to take the time to set up appointments, write questionnaires, meet with the testers and make appropriate changes. 
  • Be sure to take screenshots along the way.  Date them and label them "before" or "after" to show what has changed after each of the 3 testing phases. 
  • The form which you printed and filled out (who, what, when...) should be included in your logbook.  If there are some bits of information missing, be sure to fill it in as soon as you can. 
  • On your calendar, the last part of the project to think about is assessing the impact  (Criterion K).  What does this mean?  This refers to the idea that your product is actually being used and is proving to be useful.  You can "prove" that by having comments from people who have used it, by having a counter or other tracking system on a web site, by giving quetionnaires to the client and/or end users.  Although it is not necessary, it is possible to have photos of people using your product.  It's a good idea to think about this early because you need to come up with a strategy about how you are going to "prove" your product is really useful.  Criterion K also asks you to predict the future of your product - what will happen to it when you graduate? . . .

 

September 2009 - back to school

  • Welcome to your Terminale year.  As promised, this year will be a busy one.  We still have lots more exciting IT theory and technical vocabulary to discover as well as social and ethical issues to explore.   
  • It is recommended that you take some time to go back over your notes and review what we have done so far. 
   
   
 
   
   

Revision for the Testing Week in May 2009:

  • All of Section 1:
    • All the social and ethical issues
    • Be sure to know the definitions given in the very beginning of the IB Programme Guide for ITGS - in the section called "Nature of the Subject", definitions are given for information technology, social impact, ethical considerations and what an information system is.
    • Also, the section called "Methodologies for analysing social impact and ethical considerations" has examples of the key questions we have been asking when we look at an IT problem in a social context (such as "What are the advantages and disadvantages for the stakeholders?"). 
  • The following sections of Topic 2:
    • 2.1.1 Systems fundamentals
    • 2.2.1 Software fundamentals
    • 2.2.2 Databases and spreadsheets
    • 2.4.1 Robotics
    • 2.4.2 Artificial Intelligence and Expert systems (only the parts we discussed in class)
  • Remember, when you study, always follow this order:
    1. start with the IB Programme Guide for ITGS to see what the assessment statements are (i.e. "evaluate the social and ethical issues involved in the use of software..")
    2. use the guide to help you grasp the difference between each command term (define, identify, describe, outline, explain, evaluate...)
    3. refer to any class notes you have
    4. double check that you have memorized all the IT vocabulary terms (this is what the flash cards are for) - you should have about 150 by now and you should know them in both directions:  word to definition and definition to word. 

Have a look at my compositions groupées revision guide.  It contains suggestions for successful revision and test-taking skills. 
 
   
 
   

Revision for the Bac Blanc practice exams in March 2009:

  • All of Section 1:
    • All the social and ethical issues
    • Be sure to know the definitions given in the very beginning of the IB Programme Guide for ITGS - in the section called "Nature of the Subject", definitions are given for information technology, social impact, ethical considerations and what an information system is.
    • Also, the section called "Methodologies for analysing social impact and ethical considerations" has examples of the key questions we have been asking when we look at an IT problem in a social context (such as "What are the advantages and disadvantages for the stakeholders?"). 
  • The following sections of Topic 2:
    • 2.1.1 Systems fundamentals
    • 2.2.1 Software fundamentals
    • 2.2.2 Databases and spreadsheets
  • Remember, when you study, always follow this order:
    1. start with the IB Programme Guide for ITGS to see what the assessment statements are (i.e. "evaluate the social and ethical issues involved in the use of software..")
    2. use the guide to help you grasp the difference between each command term (define, identify, describe, outline, explain, evaluate...)
    3. refer to any class notes you have
    4. double check that you have memorized all the IT vocabulary terms (this is what the flash cards are for) - you should have about 100 by now and you should know them in both directions:  word to definition and definition to word. 

Have a look at my compositions groupées revision guide.  It contains suggestions for successful revision and test-taking skills. 
 
   

In January & February:

  • Be sure to keep listening to the weekly podcast of Digital Planet.  Each story has the kind of structure we expect you to use in your ITGS essays:
    • an introduction to the IT theory (the technical details behind the scenes)
    • placing the technology in a social context (school, hospital, business, bank...) with the appropriate stakeholders expressing their varying viewpoints
    • Bill Thompson is asked to give his evaluation at the end

 

 

 

 

Revision for the Bac Blanc practice exams in November 2008:

  • All of Section 1:
    • All the social and ethical issues
    • Be sure to know the definitions given in the very beginning of the IB Programme Guide for ITGS - in the section called "Nature of the Subject", definitions are given for information technology, social impact, ethical considerations and what an information system is.
    • Also, the section called "Methodologies for analysing social impact and ethical considerations" has examples of the key questions we have been asking when we look at an IT problem in a social context (such as "What are the advantages and disadvantages for the stakeholders?"). 
  • The following sections of Topic 2:
    • 2.1.1 Systems fundamentals
    • 2.2.1 Software fundamentals
  • In the following sections, only some of the concepts have been covered so check your notes, previous podcasts, class discussions, etc. to see what we have covered:
    • 2.2.2 Databases and spreadsheets
  • Remember, when you study, always follow this order:
    1. start with the IB Programme Guide for ITGS to see what the assessment statements are (i.e. "evaluate the social and ethical issues involved in the use of software..")
    2. use the guide to help you grasp the difference between each command term (define, identify, describe, outline, explain, evaluate...)
    3. refer to any class notes you have
    4. double check that you have memorized all the IT vocabulary terms (this is what the flash cards are for) - you should have between 50 and 100 by now and you should know them in both directions:  word to definition and definition to word. 

Have a look at my compositions groupées revision guide.  It contains suggestions for successful revision and test-taking skills. 
 
   
 

To Do for Week 5:

  • For Friday October 3rd, please find a new article and give it the "ITGS treatment" that we practiced in class a couple weeks ago - here's how:
  • First, find an article.  It should have the following characteristics:
    • Be less than 6 months old.
    • Involve Information Technology and not just Technology (there must be a computer processor somewhere - solar energy is technology but not IT)
    • Be written by a professional journalist and published by an editorally-reviewed news organisation (in other words not from someone's blog)
    • Be at least one page long but if it is more than two, just study the first two. 
    • Contain a reasonable number of IT terms - try to find about a dozen.  It's OK if some of the terms seem basic like "computer" or "download". 
  • Second, copy and paste the article in a Word document (.doc not .docx, please).  Put the article into columns so it looks like a newspaper article.  Then cite the source with a complete bibliographical reference using Citation Machine.
  • Third, highlight the terms in the following way:
    • IT terms (these are the technical vocabulary terms:  The guide says "Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage, manipulation and dissemination of digital information by computing or telecommunications or a combination of both."
    • Social and ethical issues ("Social impact includes the economic, political, cultural, legal, environmental, ergonomic, health and psychological effects of IT on human life. Ethical considerations refer to the responsibility and accountability of those involved in the design, implementation and use of IT.")
    • Stakeholders (those who stand to gain or lose from this technology)
  • Fourth, make a list of the IT terms you highlighted and define each one.
  • Last but not least, clearly describe the main social or ethical issue(s) from the article and explain the importance of the issue(s).  In other words, why is this an important issue to be raised and discussed?  It is best to choose from the list of issues in Section 1 of the program but other issues are acceptable as long as you can justify them. 

     

 
 

To Do for Week 4:

  • By now (the week of September 22nd), you should have some kind of technique for organizing your documents in ITGS.  Your USB key should have an ITGS folder for digital documents and you should also have some kind of paper system as well. 
  • Now that you have hard copies of the important pages in the ITGS guide, be sure to read through them and understand them.  It makes all the difference between "getting it" or not.
  • Consider the possibility of doing an Extended Essay in ITGS.  The EE guide has a section for each subject with suggested research questions so have a look at them to see the kinds of things students have investigated in the past. 
  • Keep listening to our friends on Digital Planet. 

 
 

To Do for Week 3:

  • Print out & read the following pages from the ITGS Program Guide, which you can add to the pages you printed out last week:
    • page 3 - "Nature of the Subject" - it is recommended that you highlight the four definitions given in the middle of the page because the entire 2 years will revolve around them!
    • page 4 - "Aims"
    • page 5 - "Objectives" but you can cross out objectives number 6 to number 9, which are only for Higher Level, not taught at EABJM.
    • pages 6 and 7 - "Syllabus Outline"
    • pages 8 to 10 - "Syllabus Details"
  • Be sure to continue listening to the Digital Planet podcast each week. 
  • If you think you missed any previous assignments, notice how they stay displayed below:

 
 

To Do the Second Week of Classes:

  • Read pages 1 to 5 in the ITGS program guide.
  • Print out Section 1 of the syllabus details (about the social and ethical issues) and the pages about the command terms, pages 54 + 55.

 

To Do the First Week of Classes:

  • Sign up for the Digital Planet podcast listed above.  The NPR Technology one is also recommended.
  • Familiarize yourself with my website by visiting pages such as the Student Guide,  How to Contact Mr. Damon, etc.
  • download the ITGS Programme Guide from Miss Burchill's web site (she sent you the link)  You do not need to print out the whole thing - the most important part for now is the section called Syllabus Details. 

 

 

 
   
   
   
 
   

 

  

 

 

   

© A.W. Damon 2010

 
  See individual pages for date of last modification.