1. Overview of Informatics
VCE Computing
2016 to 2019

2. Informatics focus – data, information and systems
Organisations and data management
Acquisition
Input
Validation
Manipulation
Storage
Retrieval
Communication
Data analytics: drawing conclusions
Output
(Disposal)
Data analytics: presenting the findings
Information management
Disposal
Real information
Real data
Data and information are put squarely front and centre of the new study.
It’s not about applications anymore, rather about data and how you use applications to do something useful with it.
No specific software tool

3. Informatics structure
Exam (50%)
SAC
RDBMS and user interface & user flow
SAT
Data analysis Design folio
Short report Presentation
Project plan Evaluation
SAC
written report or visual report
U3O1
U3O2
U4O1
U4O2
U3 AoS 1
Organisations and data management
U3 AoS 2
Data analytics: drawing conclusions
U4 AoS 1
Data analytics: presenting the findings
U4 AoS 2
Information management
Yellow software means that it is mandated software, hence it is listed in the STUDIED AND USED table at the beginning of the unit.
Software for
RDBMS
drawing or graphics
Software to
capture, store, prepare and manip. data
doc proj plans
Software for
creating multimodal, online solution
proj plans
VCAA Bulletin

4. School-based assessment
U3O1 (SAC)
10 % study score
U3O2
(SAT)
U4O1
(SAT)
U4O2 (SAC)
10 % study score
SACs – mandated tasks, but teachers can decide the basis on which they will measure assessment e.g. use advisory performance descriptors, other published advice or their own measures.
SATs- mandated tasks and mandated criteria for measuring and reporting assessment. The criteria and rubric are published by the VCAA and when scores are reported to VASS they are done on a criterion-by-criterion basis.
SAT 30% study score

5. Software tools – example Unit 3
… software tools that students are required to both STUDY and USE in this unit
Area of Study 1
A relational database management system
Drawing or graphics software
… software tools that students are required to USE, but not required to study, in this unit
Area of Study 2
Appropriate tool for documenting project plans
Software tools to capture, store, prepare and manipulate data
The two tables identify the different status of software:
. Software that is in the STUDIED AND USED table have explicit reference made to the relevant software functions in the key knowledge and hence the skills in using this software are assessable
. Software that is in the ‘tool that is USED’ table, indicates that while the software needs to be used, it is not part of the key knowledge and their skills in using the software are not assessed. What is assessed is the knowledge or skills that are demonstrated through the use of the software.