s
er
ap
eP
m
e
tr
.X
w
w
w
om
.c
Scheme of work – Cambridge IGCSE® Computer Studies (0420)
Unit 12: Coursework (Paper 2) or Alternative to Coursework (Paper 3)
Recommended prior knowledge
Units 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 should be taught before Unit 12 or alongside appropriate sections of it.
Outline
either
Coursework (Paper 2): A single piece of coursework of a complex nature, involving the use of a computer to solve a specific problem, to be carried out over an
extended period. Enables candidates to use their skills and experience gained during the course to analyse, design, implement, test, document and evaluate the
solution to the problem.
or
Alternative to Coursework (Paper 3): A written paper containing short-answer and structured questions that refer to a given scenario describing a manual (usually
paper-based) system and its proposed replacement by a computer-based system. There is no choice of questions. The topics covered are similar to the skills
required for Paper 2.
Syllabus
ref
Learning
objectives
Suggested teaching activities
Learning resources
Explain that:
• students undertake a coursework project consisting of one complex
piece of work, which is a computer-based solution to a significant
problem, with full documentation
• a complex piece of work means one of the following:
• integrating components of two generic application packages
• using some of the more advanced functionalities of a single
application package
• using modules and file handling in a coded solution
• teachers provide on-going support, guidance and supervision during
the project, but if a teacher has to provide excessive help or guidance,
the candidate will lose marks
• students must acknowledge any use of material from magazines,
books, the Internet or other sources in their coursework
• students are responsible for making backup copies of all work
Syllabus pp. 6–7 and 32–40 explain the nature of Paper 2
Paper 2
Introduction
v1 2Y04
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Studies (0420)
Further resource:
www.ictgcse.net/Coursework.html
A draft coursework guide for this syllabus
1
Syllabus
ref
Learning
objectives
Suggested teaching activities
undertaken on the coursework project
teachers are required to set the final date for submission at least one
month before the date that they have to submit assessed practical
work to CIE for moderation
• the final date for submission to the teacher will be DD MM YYYY (of
which students would benefit from being periodically reminded!).
Explain that:
• the mark a student can achieve is often linked to their choice of
problem
• good coursework project problems are open-ended, so that if the work
proves to be expectedly easy for the student, it can be developed
further and, similarly, if the work proves to be expectedly difficult for
the student, it should be possible to simplify it
• if a student chooses to write their own program, the choice of
programming language must allow them to construct their program
using a structured modular approach
• previous experience of students’ work shows that certain projects
involving games, quizzes and word processing are unsuitable, as they
do not provide the opportunity to achieve high marks
• teachers help each student to choose a problem that is within their
capability and range of interests.
Learning resources
•
Project Selection
LWS coursebook pp. 118–9 (including the coursework
box)
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Guidance on the coursework
(Paper 2) pp. 2–5
You may wish to suggest a common list of suitable project problems.
Schedule a discussion with each student to help them make a suitable
choice of problem to solve.
Iterate discussions each lesson until each student has shown you a
coherent written description of the problem they intend to solve and their
intended method of solution.
Documentation
(5 marks)
v1 2Y04
Discuss the amount of time that students should spend on each stage and
announce any intermediate deadlines for submission of work.
Explain that:
• this project may well turn out to be the largest piece of work that each
student has ever undertaken and the evidence of what they have
achieved will be a large document of which they can be proud
• you are providing a clear framework for your students to document
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Studies (0420)
LWS coursebook pp. 136–40 (including the Technical
documentation and User documentation coursework
boxes)
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Guidance on the coursework
2
Syllabus
ref
Learning
objectives
Suggested teaching activities
•
•
•
•
•
•
Analysis
(11 marks)
Design
(14 marks)
Implementation
(8 marks)
v1 2Y04
their project work (see LWS CD-ROM under Learning Resources) and
that they must start their documentation (aka “report”) as soon as they
start the coursework
early documentation is likely to need revision as the project proceeds
students should use a word processing program to produce their
documentation (preferably in a single file with page numbering)
failure to include an overall contents page will result in a loss of marks
as part of teachers’ duty to supervise the work closely throughout the
coursework to prevent any possible malpractice, you will regularly
inspect each student’s documentation
the student’s documentation will include technical documentation and
a user guide, but should also include documentation for the analysis,
design, testing and evaluation of the project in order to provide
evidence for 37 of the total of 50 marks available
hardcopy output from their solution is essential, except where this is
inappropriate and the teacher authenticates appropriate evidence, for
example:
• screen captures or photographs of the screen for control
simulations or some graphical solutions
• video evidence on a DVD for hardware control or animation
solutions.
Refer to study of documentation in Unit 3.
Refer to study of analysis in Unit 3.
Emphasise that design refers to detailed planning documented before
implementation takes place and that therefore screenshots are not
relevant and will not gain marks.
Refer to study of design in Units 3 and 4.
Explain that:
• the solution should bear a close resemblance to the design, even if the
design has to be modified on the basis of experience
• marks are not awarded for the solution itself, as the software and
hardware will not be submitted to CIE for moderation
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Studies (0420)
Learning resources
(Paper 2):
• pp. 6–7 (especially the suggested minimum set of
headings and subheadings on p. 6)
• pp. 31–35 (technical documentation)
• pp. 40–1 (user guide)
• other pages referred to below for analysis, design,
testing and evaluation
LWS coursebook pp. 119–25 (including the Analysis
coursework box)
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Guidance on the coursework
(Paper 2) pp. 8–15
LWS coursebook pp. 125–35 (including the nine
coursework boxes)
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Guidance on the coursework
(Paper 2) pp. 15–30
LWS coursebook pp. 135
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Guidance on the coursework
(Paper 2) pp. 31–35, especially the lists of possible
subheadings for the Technical Documentation section of
3
Syllabus
ref
Learning
objectives
Suggested teaching activities
Learning resources
•
the report on pp. 32–3
•
Testing
(7 marks)
instead, marks are awarded for evidence of the solution’s
implementation
students must therefore include separate hard-copy evidence of what
has actually been built in their technical documentation, which is likely
to include many pages of clear and suitably-captioned screenshots.
Refer to study relevant to the implementation (building) of a solution in
Units 5 and/or 7.
Emphasise the need to use normal, boundary/extreme and abnormal/
erroneous data for testing:
• validation of input data
• selection structures and calculations in programs or spreadsheet
formulae.
Refer to study of testing in Unit 3.
Evaluation
(5 marks)
Explain that two of the five marks available in this section are for
suggesting possible improvements or extensions to the student’s solution
in the light of the evaluation.
Refer to study of evaluation in Unit 3.
LWS coursebook pp. 135–6 (including the Test results
coursework box)
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Guidance on the coursework
(Paper 2) pp. 36–9
www.igcseict.info/theory/8/test/
Introduction to testing
LWS coursebook pp. 143–5 (including the Evaluation and
Development coursework boxes)
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Guidance on the coursework
(Paper 2) pp. 42–4
www.igcseict.info/theory/8/eval/
Introduction to evaluation and improvements
Paper 3
Introduction
v1 2Y04
Explain that:
• this 1 hour 30 minutes question paper is an alternative to, and has the
same weighting as, Paper 2 (Coursework)
• it consists of short-answer and structured questions
• the questions refer to a scenario printed at the beginning of the paper
and describing a proposed, computer-based solution to a problem
• Centres receive an outline scenario in advance so that students can
do some research to prepare for the examination, although this outline
scenario will only be very general, such as “a database about ordering
and stock control”
• the paper is mostly on the topics covered by Paper 2, particularly
section 2 (System life cycle) of Paper 1
• the syllabus also covers:
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Studies (0420)
Syllabus pp. 7–8 and 28 explain the relationship between
Paper 3 and the rest of the syllabus
4
Syllabus
ref
Learning
objectives
Suggested teaching activities
•
•
•
•
6.1
6.2
6.3
v1 2Y04
The methods
used to identify
how the existing
system operates
Action plans
Selection of
hardware and
software
Learning resources
system flowcharts
program flowchart and pseudocode algorithms, including dry
running using trace tables
testing a given program flowchart or pseudocode algorithm
advantages and limitations of adopting a new computer-based
system.
Teachers should:
• allocate approximately 25% of the available time to study of this part of
the syllabus
• choose a graded series of typical problems involving the creation of a
computer-based system to replace a manual (usually paper-based)
system
• for each problem, guide students’ study of section 6 of the syllabus,
performing practical work where possible and otherwise research
• start with simpler problems, such as the simple applications listed on
p. 7 of the syllabus
• progress to more complex problems, such as those applications listed
on p. 8 of the syllabus
• aim to give students two or three mock exams with past papers or
similar scenarios and questions to those in past papers.
Refer to study of fact finding (syllabus section 2.1.1) in Unit 3.
Explain that:
• a large project team is often needed to develop and implement
(change over to) a new computer-based system
• managing the completion of such a project to an agreed timescale and
within budget, requires careful planning and monitoring (tracking)
• tools available for such planning and monitoring are Gantt Charts,
PERT charts, Critical Path Analysis and project management software.
Refer to study of:
• software (syllabus section 4.1) in Unit 7
• hardware (syllabus section 5.1) in Unit 9.
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Studies (0420)
LWS coursebook pp. 119–21 (including the Paper 3
guidance in the Fact-finding methods coursework box)
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Tackling the exam papers:
Guidance on Paper 3 (alternative to the coursework) pp.
3–4
LWS coursebook pp. 125–7 (including the Paper 3
guidance in the Planning coursework box)
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Tackling the exam papers:
Guidance on Paper 3 (alternative to the coursework) pp.
5–6
LWS coursebook:
• p. 127 (software – including the Paper 3 guidance in
the Selection of software coursework box)
• p. 133 (hardware – including the Paper 3 guidance in
5
Syllabus
ref
Learning
objectives
Suggested teaching activities
Learning resources
the Selection of hardware and system flowchart
coursework box)
6.4
Flowcharts and
pseudocode
Refer to study of:
• system flowcharts (syllabus section 2.1) in Unit 3
• program flowcharts (syllabus section 3.1.2) in Unit 4
• dry running a program flowchart or pseudocode algorithm using a
trace table (syllabus section 3.1.3) in Unit 4.
For pseudocode, see below.
6.11
6.5
6.6
Pseudocode
processes and
structures
Test data for use
with algorithms
Implementing the
new system
Refer to study of pseudocode (syllabus sections 3.2.1 and 3.2.4) in Unit 5.
Refer to study of test data (syllabus section 2.2.2) in Unit 3.
Explain that implementation means changeover to the new system.
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Tackling the exam papers:
Guidance on Paper 3 (alternative to the coursework):
• pp. 6–7 (hardware)
• p. 8 (software)
LWS coursebook:
• pp. 123–4 (system flowcharts)
• p. 133 (Paper 3 guidance on system flowcharts in the
Selection of hardware and system flowchart
coursework box)
• p. 132 (Paper 3 guidance on program flowcharts for
algorithms in the Processing design coursework box)
• pp. 244–5 (program flowcharts)
• pp. 247–51 & 266–9 (dry running)
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Tackling the exam papers:
Guidance on Paper 3 (alternative to the coursework):
• pp. 9–13 (system flowcharts)
• pp. 14–6 (program flowcharts)
• pp. 17–8 (dry running)
LWS coursebook:
• p. 132 (Paper 3 guidance on pseudocode for
algorithms in the Processing design coursework box)
• pp. 260–6
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Tackling the exam papers:
Guidance on Paper 3 (alternative to the coursework) p. 16
LWS coursebook pp. 133–5 (including the Paper 3
guidance in the Test strategy coursework box)
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Tackling the exam papers:
Guidance on Paper 3 (alternative to the coursework) pp.
18–9 (& 21–3)
LWS coursebook pp. 140–3 (including the Paper 3
guidance in the Changeover method coursework box)
Refer to study of changeover (syllabus section 2.2.4) in Unit 3.
v1 2Y04
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Studies (0420)
6
Syllabus
ref
6.7
6.8
6.9
Learning
objectives
Testing
Documentation
Evaluation
Suggested teaching activities
Refer to study of testing (syllabus section 2.2.2) in Unit 3.
Refer to study of documentation (syllabus section 2.2.3) in Unit 3.
Refer to study of evaluation (syllabus section 2.2.5) in Unit 3.
Students also need to be able explain the reasons why evaluation is
performed.
6.10
Advantages and
limitations of
adopting the new
computer-based
system
Refer to social and economic effects (syllabus section 1.2.1) and changes
in employment & re-training (syllabus section 1.2.2) in Unit 2.
Also explore with students:
• the impact of computerised systems, e.g. how once a system has
been computerised, many further developments become possible,
including making the system available on a company-wide
intranet and an internet website
• the features likely to be required by such an intranet or internet
website
• the potential advantages to both the website owner and their
clients
• how the development of an intranet and/or website requires extra
expenditure and staff training
• the benefits of computer-based methods for such training.
Learning resources
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Tackling the exam papers:
Guidance on Paper 3 (alternative to the coursework) pp.
19–20
LWS coursebook pp. 133–6 (including the Paper 3
guidance in the Test strategy coursework box)
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Tackling the exam papers:
Guidance on Paper 3 (alternative to the coursework) pp.
21–3
LWS coursebook pp. 136–40 (including the Technical
documentation and User documentation coursework
boxes)
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Tackling the exam papers:
Guidance on Paper 3 (alternative to the coursework) pp.
24–5
LWS coursebook pp. 143–5 (including the Evaluation and
Development coursework boxes)
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Tackling the exam papers:
Guidance on Paper 3 (alternative to the coursework) p. 26
LWS coursebook:
• pp. 216–21
• pp. 121–2 (feasibility study – including the Paper 3
guidance in the coursework box)
LWS coursebook CD-ROM: Tackling the exam papers:
Guidance on Paper 3 (alternative to the coursework):
• pp. 27–30
• p. 5 (feasibility study)
A question could also be asked about a feasibility study – refer to study in
Unit 3.
v1 2Y04
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Studies (0420)
7