ICT50118 Diploma of Information Technology

1. Assessment Plan

Assessments for this unit have been developed by taking into account assessment guidelines as provided in the training package and evidence requirements stipulated in this unit of competency. Assessment is an ongoing process of gathering evidence to determine what each student/learner knows, understands and can do in order to inform teaching and support learning of the intended curriculum.

The purposes of this assessment are;

• To collect evidences that demonstrate competency in the performance criteria of the unit and satisfy skill, knowledge and employability skills requirements
• To provide feedback to the learners/trainees indicating the areas of improvement and professional development
• To measure the effectiveness of the delivery plan and evaluate the learning outcomes The required assessment criteria are provided in each assessment task for learner’s information.

Assessment Method

Assessment in this unit is based on assessment and evidence guidelines provided in the unit of competency and the training package. The evidence is generated through summative assessment tasks. However, the role of Formative Tasks is crucial in developing the required skills and knowledge in completing the summative tasks. Formative tasks enable the trainers to evaluate their own delivery and adjust their facilitation based on the outcomes from these tasks. The role of formative assessments is to improve learning and adapt to student needs.

These tasks and activities usually take place throughout the unit and planned in accordance with the summative assessment plan/schedule. The formative tasks are generally referred to as “Portfolio” tasks. Portfolio is a collection of all the formative tasks completed during the learning sessions. The portfolio can be used by students as an evidence of participation or example of work completed as part of their learning.

Formative tasks are not assessed.

For summative tasks, the following assessment methods are available to collect the aforementioned evidence to demonstrate satisfactory performance in this unit;

• Written Assessment Tasks
• Practical/Analytical Tasks
• Test/Examinations
• Projects
• Observation
• Integrated Assessment

The WrittenAssessment Tasks and Tests have been developed to address various parts of Performance Criteria as well as Required Knowledge.

The Practical Tasks are developed to demonstrate competence in Required Skills. These assessment tasks and activities are mostly designed as in-class assessments, enabling the trainers to observe the work being undertaken and completed (i.e. demonstration of a specific/required skill). Practical tasks may also include use of online learning tools, equipment, activities, or use of software. Instructions for practical tasks are generally provided within the task description. However, trainers/assessor may set certain conditions for conducting and observing these tasks.

The Project (Individual or Group based) addresses various aspects of competency standard including Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Employability Skills. The role of the project in assessment strategy is to measure student/trainee competence as a form of Summative Assessment. It demonstrates the efficacy of instructions and learning in the prescribed delivery period by assessing the overall performance of the students/trainees for the purpose of grading/final results.

The Test/Exam is generally designed to test the Required Knowledge component of the unit of competency. It may also be used to reinforce learning and test specific aspects of other part of competency where knowledge of certain processes/procedures is required. A knowledge test may be verbal or written as specified in the task description. Examinations are conducted under set conditions.

Observation forms part of in-class activities, participation in designated group processes, presentation and provides an option where specific skills need to be demonstrated to the assessor.

Some of the assessments in this course may be used as Integrated Assessments; i.e. to use evidence created in one unit/task to determine competency in another unit/task. The concept behind the design of the integrated assessment is to limit repetitive tasks that test the same or similar competency elements in different units of competency.

Assessment can be both a formative and summative process. Formative assessment is used to provide feedback to students and teachers to promote further learning. Summative assessment contributes to the judgement of student learning for competency/award purposes.

Assessment Tasks and Schedule

These assessment tasks/activities have been described in detail in the following section. Task schedule to be advised by trainer/assessor based on the lesson and session plans.

Suggested Learner Resources

Yank K., 2009, Build Your Own Database Driven Web Site Using PHP & MySQL (4th Ed.), SitePoint

Yank K., 2012, PHP & MySQL: Novice to Ninja (5th Ed.), SitePoint

Williams B., Damstra D., and Stern H., 2013, Professional WordPress: Design and Development (2nd Ed.), Wrox Mairs C., 2011, Building a Data-Driven Website with Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.5: Learn By Video, Peachpit Press

Online resources

Joomla:

http://www.joomla.org/ Joomla Tutorials: http://docs.joomla.org/Portal:Beginners http://www.joomlatutorials.com/ Build a Joomla Website: http://www.buildajoomlawebsite.com/joomla-tutorials/the-basics/ Drupal: https://drupal.org/ Drupal Tutorials: https://drupal.org/documentation/customization/tutorials http://www.siteground.com/tutorials/drupal/

http://www.lynda.com/Drupal-training-tutorials/186-0.html

For PHP/MySQL activities: Argosoft mail server (Freeware) available at;

http://download.cnet.com/ArGoSoft-Mail-Server-Freeware/3000-2369_4-10038331.html The instructions provided below;

http://brian.dobberteen.com/code/using-php-and-mysql-to-create-a-simple-contact-form-and-resultsbrowser/

Assessment Task 1

This assessment task is given as a simulated task that requires a role play. In this task, you will be required to assume the role of a CMS Operator given the task to respond to a client requirement. For the purpose of this task, your trainer/facilitator will play the role of your supervisor/manager.

Read the following scenario and complete the given tasks.

Profile/Background:

“Rare Books” is a niche and specialised bookstore that sources and sells old and rare books in all formats. The business is located in Melbourne CBD and has a dedicated following through loyal clientele from all walks of life. Due to its exclusive business model, the bookstore has been quite famous with most of the clients attracted to it through the word of mouth.

Rare Books currently has a simple HTML based website with the primary purpose of providing information to its current and prospective customers.

As the website has received an excellent response and the visitor numbers are increasing every day, Mr Richards has decided to expand the functionality of the website and migrate to a database-driven website with specific objectives in mind. The following sections/pages are currently on the site;

• Home
• About Us o Our History o What makes us Different?

o Who is Mr Richards?

• Rare Books o Fiction o Non-fiction
• Special Collection o English o Foreign Languages
• Price List
• Order Form
• Feedback Form

Mr Richards wishes to introduce some new features on the website and has outlined the following requirements;

1. New customer registration
2. Customer database
3. Discussion forum (registered users only)
4. Book Review (registered users only)
5. Database record of all incoming Feedback Forms
6. Export/download of data from databases

Task:

In your role as a CMS Operator, you have been asked to prepare a website proposal to Mr Richards covering the following aspects;

• Purpose
• Analysis of client needs and limitations
• Specific functionalities/features
• Suggested platform (Content Management System)
• Content structure and navigation
• Programming language and hosting structure
• Additional plug-ins or resources
• Server and hosting requirements

You will need to conduct a thorough research in each of the above areas and prepare a website brief for Mr Richards that can also be used as a preliminary proposal.

Assessment Criteria

The following assessment criteria will be used for marking this assessment task. Ensure that you have addressed all of the criteria in your work;

• Developed a website proposal with a CMS solution
• Specific business needs and the required functionalities are analysed and addressed in the proposal
• Made recommendation for an appropriate platform
• Expected benefits and reasons for selection of the platform are discussed and articulated
• Limitations of the platform/technology are identified and described in relation to future expectations and expansions
• Features of the CMS platform and licensing terms are clearly stated
• Specific server requirements, including server-side language environment are identified and described
• The proposal outlines the functions of the databases and data retrieval process
• Site plan, menus, and content types are included
• The proposal describes how each of the six specific requirements will be met
• A clear timeline for development and implementation is presented
• Required resources are identified and listed
• Proposal contents demonstrate an understanding of CMS driven website
• Used appropriate technical terminology and made references to standard protocols
• The proposal presents a cohesive solution towards meeting stated business requirements
• The proposal is appropriately structured and presented as a formal business document

Submission Guidelines

▪ Written proposal in soft copy

Students should upload the assessment tasks on the MEGA Student Portal in the respective unit.

Assessment Task 2

This task continues from Assessment Task 1. In the previous task, you had developed a website proposal that addressed specific needs and requirements of Rare Books.

In this assessment task, you will need to implement the solution – develop and upload an actual database driven website. Ensure that;

• You use an open-source solution and content management system
• You DO NOT use a WYSIWYG template or an online tool to develop the site ▪ The site is fully functional

This site will need to be built from ground up. However, you may use the contents and website structure from sample sites used for practice/examples during the lessons. You do not have to write the contents for the site (use mock contents instead). However, all the pages and navigation must be set up.

Ideally, you will be developing a brand-new CMS driven site using the site menu structure provided in Assessment Task 1.

NOTE: You will need a hosted domain or a sub-domain to complete this assessment task. Your facilitator will set up the sub-domains for you and provide the directory path for uploading and testing the site.

Complete the following tasks;

1. Identify and download an appropriate open-source system
2. Unpack the system
3. Create the required databases with username and password
4. Design the site locally
5. Upload and configure the finished site to your account directly using FTP
6. Install and add plug-ins as required
7. Validate final website markup against current website standards
8. Validate the site in at least three different browsers
9. Apply site security features
10. Test and finalise the site

On completion, the site must be fully functional. Test the site by;

1. Register multiple users
2. Open the database and check that the data is captured
3. Send a few feedback forms from the site
4. Open the database and check that the data is captured

Use open-source documentation and help as needed. Consult with your trainer/supervisor as part of the role play. When finished, show the completed site to your trainer/facilitator (supervisor role play) and obtain the final approval.

Assessment Criteria

The following assessment criteria will be used for marking this assessment task. Ensure that you have addressed all of the criteria in your work;

• Participated in the discussion, clarified and tasks and obtained necessary approvals within the given/simulated role play
• Followed the instructions and maintained work procedures as expected in a real-life situation
• Installed and configured an appropriate open-source content management system for website development
• Effectively used a range of features and functions of the system
• Developed appropriate folder structure for the site and maintained site assets
• Used an FTP tool to upload the content management system and site to a designated sub-domain
• Configured, tested and resolved server-side requirements and features for site’s functionality
• All the links are functional and tested for error site-wide
• Web pages are developed according to the business requirements
• Webpages contain the required media, information, and are consistent in design and layout
• Tested and validated the site using different browsers
• Used a range of documentation and help features to research and implement the required solutions
• Demonstrated the ability to use, install, and configure an open-source system and manipulate website contents
• Demonstrated the ability to use server-side and markup languages to troubleshoot problems and client requirements
• Demonstrated the technical ability to use markup and server-side language, security features and configuration requirements
• Completed the task as instructed
• Maintained an effective communication and consultation throughout the task