Background information for Expression of Interest in the
implementation 2014–2016 of computer-based delivery for Mathematical
Methods (CAS) Examination 2
Introduction
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is seeking expressions of
interest from schools to participate in the implementation 2014–2016 of the computer-based
delivery of Mathematical Methods (CAS) Examination 2. At its September 2013 meeting the
VCAA Board approved the continuation from the initial trial 2010-2013 to the next phase on
implementation 2014–2016. The CAS software to be used for implementation in this next
phase continues to be Wolfram Research’s Mathematica.
Digital technologies such as CAS provide an opportunity to align enabling technology with
delivery and response for related assessment at the senior secondary level. CAS software, or
software employing CAS as an ‘engine’, can be used as a medium for development and
delivery of test and examination assessment, as well as a pedagogical tool and for working
mathematically. This document sets out the background to the implementation in 2014–2016,
the structure and implementation details and technical requirements for schools interested in
participating. The VCAA invites schools to submit expressions of interest by 5.00 pm
Monday 2 December 2013.
1.
Background
CAS is a flexible and powerful mathematical technology widely used in industry, business,
research and academia. CAS software and calculators have numerical, graphical, statistical,
geometric and symbolic functionality, and provide a medium for mathematical computations
with sophisticated capabilities for interactive electronic documents including text and
diagrams as well as computations. They can be used as presentation and publication tools and
engines for web-based activities such as search engines.
From 2010, an approved CAS has been the assumed enabling technology for VCE
Mathematics Methods (CAS) and Specialist Mathematics, and permitted for Further
Mathematics. With prior approval from the VCAA, schools and their students are able to use
CAS software as a computational tool for applicable examinations (that is, students provide
written responses in examination booklets, but use CAS software on a computer as their
computational tool rather than a CAS calculator). Prior approval from the VCAA is necessary
to ensure that invigilation and security requirements for written examinations are met.
VCAA approved CAS include CASIO, Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Texas Instruments (TI)
calculators, and CASIO, Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Texas Instruments (TI), Maple and
Mathematica software.
CAS software licences can provide a cost-effective means of supplying enabling technology
to students in the school environment, and CAS software can be used to integrate
pedagogical, curriculum and assessment practices.
The VCAA Computer-Based Examination (CBE) for Mathematical Methods (CAS)
Examination 2 uses Wolfram Research’s CAS software Mathematica to develop, deliver and
run this examination, which is a digital version of the corresponding pen-and-paper
examination. Schools wishing to be involved in the implementation for 2014-2016 will need
to be able to provide participating teachers and students with access to Mathematica for use
at school and at home.
2.
Structure and schedule of the implementation 2014–2016
The implementation in 2014-2016 will be scheduled across three one-year stages from
Year 10/pre VCE through to Year 12 as indicated in the following table.
Year
Students from initial
trial schools
Students from 2014 2016 implementation
schools1
2014
2015
2016
Mathematical Methods (CAS) Units 1–4 and Mathematical Methods (CAS)
CBE Examination 2 as applicable to their sequence of Year 10/pre VCE,
Unit 1 and 2 and Unit 3 and 4 studies.
Year 10/pre VCE
Year 11/Units 1 and 2
Year 12/Units 3 and 4
Familiarisation with
Mathematica and use
of school-based CAS
delivered tests.
Implementation of
Mathematical Methods
(CAS) Units 1 and 2
using Mathematica as
enabling technology.
School-based test and
other assessment tasks.
VCAA developed end-ofUnit 2 computer-based
examination (CBE)2 for
participating schools.
Implementation of
reviewed Mathematical
Methods Units 3 and 4,
using Mathematica as
enabling technology.
VCAA Mathematical
Methods computer-based
examination (CBE) and
past (practice)
examinations.
1Schools
may apply to advance this implementation sequence by one year, if they can attest that students have facility with
the use of Mathematica from their earlier Mathematics studies.
2While
the VCAA will develop an end-of-Unit 2 computer-based examination for use by participating schools, this will have
the same status as other Unit 1 and 2 level of achievement assessments.
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The VCAA will provide schools involved in the 2014 – 2016 implementation phase with:

A comprehensive professional development program for two teachers from each school
across 2014–2016 (schools will be expected to arrange teacher availability as part of
their involvement).

A comprehensive range of teaching and learning resources (including Mathematica
notebooks) covering the areas of study and related topics. This will include a complete
set of Mathematical Methods (CAS) Examination 2 interactive Mathematica notebooks
with solutions and comments from 2006 onwards.

Access to a dedicated VCAA administered and moderated discussion board for this
implementation phase, and access to a VCAA mentor who is familiar with Mathematica
and its use in secondary educational contexts (curriculum, pedagogy and assessment).
Schools wishing to be considered for participation must ensure that they will be able to meet
the requirements outlined in Section 3 below.
3.
VCAA requirements for use of CAS software in VCE Mathematical Methods (CAS)
CBE examinations
The VCAA has developed a set of examination specifications for the Mathematical Methods
(CAS) CBE examination, and schools selected to participate will receive related operational
information and documentation from the VCAA.
Students at schools involved in this implementation phase will be permitted to use
Mathematica and stored Mathematica notebook files on a single CD-ROM, DVD or USB for
Mathematical Methods (CAS) Examination 2, provided the school meets the following
requirements:

all computers and monitors to be used are maintained in excellent working order, and
have been configured according to VCAA specifications

every student has access to a computer which operates independently of any other
computer for the duration of the examination, and these computers are visually isolated
from each other

computers do not have any electronic, infra-red, blue-chip or other communication or
internet access capability enabled for the duration of the examination

there are a suitable number of standby computers available

sufficient memory is available on computers to efficiently run Mathematica and the
VCAA computer-based examination applications, and this has been successfully trialled
and is operational on each computer prior to the examination

other folders, programs (including screensavers) or software have been removed or made
unavailable for the duration of the examination

the technical support person nominated and approved by the school Principal configures
computers and sets up the computer-based examination according to VCAA
specifications, and monitors technical aspects of the conduct of the examination as
required by the VCAA.
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4.
Teaching, technical and support requirements
In order to be considered for participation in this implementation phase the school must:

be able to ensure the involvement of at least two mathematics teachers for the duration of
the implementation (these need not be the same two teachers each year) and nominate a
coordinator to be the school’s VCAA contact

agree to have suitable ICT infrastructure and technical capacity and support in place to
meet the requirements set out above in Section 3, in accordance with the implementation
schedule

agree to support and implement the use of CAS software Mathematica as a teaching and
learning tool, as enabling technology in classrooms, in school-based assessment at
Years 10, Year 11 (Units 1 and 2) and Year 12 (Units 3 and 4), and Mathematical
Methods (CAS) CBE examinations.
5.
Expressions of interest
The VCAA invites expressions of interest from Victorian schools wishing to participate in
the 2014–2016 implementation phase of Mathematical Methods (CAS) CBE. Previous
familiarity with Mathematica is not required.
Key Selection Criteria for the selection of schools to participate in the expanded
implementation are:

strong interest in, and commitment
curriculum and assessment

demonstrated school leadership in mathematics teaching and learning and the use of
digital technology

demonstrated capacity of the school to provide relevant staffing, infrastructure and
resources for this phase of implementation over the three year period 2014 - 2016

demonstrated capability for implementation of ICT based projects.

commitment to having the required software, infrastructure and technical support
(set out in Section 3) in place.
to, the use of digital technology in pedagogy,
Following the Expression of Interest process, schools invited by the VCAA to participate in
the expanded implementation will be required to enter an agreement with the VCAA and to
obtain the informed consent of participating students and their parents/guardians.
Any queries should be directed to the VCAA Mathematics Curriculum Manager:
Dr David Leigh-Lancaster
telephone: (03) 9032 1690
email: leigh-lancaster.david.d@edumail.vic.gov.au
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