Hillcrest Christian College

Hillcrest Christian CollegeInformation Processing and Technology

SEMESTER 2 2013

NAME: DATE: 21/10/13 (Yr 12) 28/10/13 (Yr 11)

ASSESSMENT ITEM NO Yr 11 - 5, Yr 12 - 11

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT Formative (Yr11) Summative (Yr12)

ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUE Extended Response (Case Study), Individual

ASSESSMENT CONDITIONS Unsupervised

Yr 11 – 3 Weeks, Yr 12 – 2 Weeks

DUE DATE Year 11 – Draft, (Week 5) 8/11/13

– Final (Week 6) 15/11/13

Year 12 – Final (Week 4) 28/10/13

– Final (Week 5) 4/11/13

TOPIC/S ASSESSED Computer Systems

Human-Computer Interaction

Social and Ethical Implications

CRITERIA ASSESSED Knowledge & Application

Analysis & Synthesis

Evaluation & Communication

Results

Knowledge & Application

Analysis & Synthesis

Evaluation & Communication

Hillcrest Christian College

Task (Case Study):

In this task you will analyse a computer system within a workplace of your own

choosing (can even be the workplace where you are currently employed). You may

opt to do this as a group of up to 3 students (maximum), to make it easier for the

entire class in finding and researching various systems. However, all work submitted

for the written case study of the particular computer system must be the individual’s

effort alone.

You (or your group) are to choose a business/organisation to base your case study

on and then plan to visit that system in order to analyse it fully. It is required that at

least one (can also be a number) of the workplace employees as well as one

managerial personnel be interviewed regarding the computer system in use within

their company. A current workplace or family business would be an excellent starting

point for a site to base research on, and a current boss, parent, friend or relative

would be a useful and suitable contact to have when organising interviewing.

Suitable sites will need to be contacted beforehand and arrangements made to visit

the various systems. Our college Library or IT Technical department are good

alternatives should it not be easy or convenient for you to locate a system external to

the college.

A generic letter notifying different workplaces and key persons of our intent to carry

out an investigation on their computer system, as well as acknowledging certain

limitations we may need to work within, is included below. Please present this to

them at least a few days prior to your investigation as a show of courtesy and to give

them some context for your intended computer system analysis.

Hillcrest Christian College

In order to carry out the case study you will work through the following stages

in order (Individually):

[Design] Devise a questionnaire for use during the interview that covers all of

the major aspects of the workplace’s computer system. This should include a

re-wording of the following key ideas:

Purpose – What is the main activity of the organisation (its core business)? In what ways does the computer system support this? What other supplementary activities (if any) does the system support (WP, accounting,

inventory, etc.)? Who are the clients of this enterprise; what procedures are in place for dealing with these

clients? Is any outsourcing used?

Hardware – What types of devices (in particular PC’s) are used in the enterprise? Determine the variety of input and output devices in use. What forms of secondary storage are used? If possible cost the system. What physical security is in place?

Software – What operating system(s) is used? List some of the major programs employed. Identify the backup system (form, frequency, storage). Determine software maintenance and programming (if any).

Human systems – Determine the variety of tasks performed in operating the system; How is the system administered and maintained? What training of staff occurs? What level of user support is in place? How are new staff recruited? What form does HR management take? Investigate user comfort (hardware, furniture, programs)

Networking – What type of network is in use? What is the number of users? How good is network performance? Is wireless networking used? Establish the role of email and internet in the organisation; What protocols are supported? What forms of network security are in place?

[Develop] Fill in answers to the questionnaire on the basis that such

information is available.

Hillcrest Christian College

[Develop] Summarise your case study in a brief and concise 800 -1000 word

report outlining all aspects of the company’s computer system. This main

written section should be set out using the following accepted structure:

Introduction

Introduce the main aims of the case study, the context for computer system

investigation, methods for investigation and allude to conclusions that will be

reached by the end of the report.

Body

Be sure to use the main subheadings as outlined in the questionnaire and

involve all of the major aspects of the workplace computer system addressed

within the questionnaire. Summarise in paragraph form the findings for each

critical component of the computer system.

Conclusion

Within the last section of the report you should make a clear recommendation

as to how the company could improve their computer system to best suit their

day-to-day operations (within reason). Discuss the major areas for attention

and give explicit advice for ways in which these under-performing components

of the system could be addressed. [Evaluate]

Focus questions for you to consider in the Conclusion (NOT LIMITED TO):

1. Assess the overall effectiveness of the system you have visited. To do this you mustidentify the purpose and function of the system. In your opinion does the system supportthe operation of the enterprise significantly? If so, in what ways, if not how could it beimproved?

2. What is the current standard of hardware devices within the system? (i.e. Age, Specification, Type). Is there any hardware which is denigrating the intended productivity and efficiency that would be expected within the organisation?

Hillcrest Christian College

3. Is the software currently being used in day-to-day operations appropriate for the amplified functionality and efficiency required within the organisation, or are there changes required?

4. When considering the various Human Systems related to the case study, are there any further needs or elements to be revised so that a greater cohesion is achieved between the user and computer system in question?

i.e. Discuss the ease of use of the system. In your answer refer to the hardware and softwareergonomics, the support given to users, and the functionality of the user interface.

5. In what ways is the current use of networking an advantage or disadvantage to the organisation?

6. Comment on the security system in place. Is it in your opinion effective, or could it beimproved in some way?

Submission:

Collate your assignment in a digital format (word document) for submission via the

‘Assessment dropbox’ by the due date on our Senior IPT, Term 4 myPLS course

page.

Include a:

cover page,

table of contents,

page numbers and

criteria sheet (copy/pasted from task below) attached after the end of the

document.

Hillcrest Christian College

Task Criteria:

A B C D E

Ana

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s a

nd s

ynth

esi

s

selects pertinent issues and identifies a connecting central idea;makes a detailed interpretation and analysis of the different arguments from multiple perspectives;designs and develops an efficient and elegant critical review that demonstrates insight into the key issues, linking them through the central idea, and integrating evidence from outside sources

selects relevant issues and identifies a central idea;makes a comprehensive analysis of the different arguments;designs and develops a critical review that demonstrates awareness of the key issues and the central idea, utilising evidence from outside sources

selects three issues and a central idea;makes an analysis of the different arguments;designs and develops a review that demonstrates some awareness of issues and central idea, providing evidence of outside sources

identifies issues anddifferent arguments;develops elements of a review with some awareness of issues, little evidence of outside sources

states issues orarguments;superficial review with little awareness of issues

Hillcrest Christian College

HILLCREST

CHRISTIAN

COLLEGE

P | 07 5593 4226

E | nmiles@hillcrest.qld.edu.au

A | 21 Bridgman Dr, Reedy Creek, QLD 4227

2013, Term 4: Computer Systems

Extended Response - Case Study

Dear Sir/Madam,

The Senior Information Processing and Technology class at Hillcrest Christian College are currently doing a unit covering the use of computer systems in a company setting. The work they are covering includes computer systems, network structures, ergonomics, security, privacy, equity and accessibility, backup procedures and disaster recovery. As part of this unit of study, students are required to do a case study of a computer system. We would appreciate if you could help by allowing our students to analyse and write a report based on the system at your workplace. You don’t have to allow the student access to the system (you may be happy to even if only superficially – i.e. taking photos), but if you could spend a short time answering their prepared questions (verbally or via email) that would be greatly appreciated. You can answer as detailed as you feel necessary, and students understand that you may not want to divulge particular information as some aspects of a company’s computer system are sensitive. If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Nicholas MilesHead of Information TechnologyHillcrest Christian College07 5593 4226  nmiles@hillcrest.qld.edu.au