Information Technology Systems 2012
Sample unit of work
Learning experiences
Learning experiences support the educational goals of the subject and align with assessment.
Learning experiences are student-based activities that:
 provide opportunities to achieve the objectives described in the dimensions of the syllabus
 occur in authentic, relevant and worthwhile contexts
 vary in scope and depth, duration and degree of challenge
 reflect current practice in the wider community
 suit particular student needs, abilities and interests
 allow students to work independently and with others
 encourage students to think and act for themselves.
Learning experiences should provide a balance and variety of activities across the whole course
and cater for the school’s context, resources and the unique characteristics of each cohort of
students.
Unit of work
The following sample unit of work incorporates the objectives described in the dimensions of the
Information Technology Systems 2012 syllabus. The unit of work includes suggestions that
schools could choose to follow, and offers flexibility to cater for a wide variety of students and
school contexts. The unit of work is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive.
This sample unit of work demonstrates:
 organisation and development of course content
 teaching and learning supporting the syllabus
 learning experiences that support achievement of the objectives described in the dimensions
 alignment between content, learning experiences and assessment.
Sample unit of work
Unit focus: Website design and development to meet client needs
Context
Web design
Elements

Theory and techniques

Problem-solving process

Project management

Client relationships

Social and ethical issues
Suggested hours
55
Semester
2
Dimensions and objectives
Knowledge and
communication
Within the context of this web design unit, the
dimension Knowledge and communication refers to
comprehending, understanding and communicating
the terms, concepts, principles and design processes
associated with website design using HTML, CSS and
a GUI design interface.
This dimension involves demonstrating IT knowledge
through defining, explaining and using web design and
programming terms, concepts and principles.
Explaining involves communicating a meaning with
clarity, precision and completeness and is enhanced
by the use of examples drawn from research into
websites designed for traditional computers and
mobile devices.
Interactive web development terms, concepts,
principles and design processes are communicated
and documented using appropriate modes, genres
and language conventions. “Mode” refers to a system
of communication chosen as the way to transmit a
message (e.g. written, spoken/signed, visual or
auditory). “Genre” refers to accepted categories of
texts. Genres have features and patterns that relate to
context, purpose and audience. Language
conventions refers to accepted language practices
developed over time and generally used and
understood, for example use of spelling, punctuation
and grammar.
2 | Information Technology Systems 2012 Sample unit of work
By the conclusion of this
web design unit,
students should:
 define, explain and
use web design
terms, concepts and
principles
 communicate
concepts, principles
and design processes
using mode, genre
and language
conventions.
Design and
development
Within the context of this web design unit, the
dimension Design and development involves
determining the intended purpose, the needs of the
client and proposing and testing possible web design
solutions. It requires research, analysis, synthesis and
ongoing testing related to the process of design and
development and the associated documentation.
“Analysis” refers to dissecting client needs and
scenarios to ascertain and examine constituent parts
and/or their relationships.
“Synthesis” refers to assembling the results of the
analysis into a coherent, unique and/or complex web
solution.
“Solutions” to the design challenge are enhanced by
progressive development and testing of components
through the design process to refine the web
solutions.
By the conclusion of this
web design unit,
students should:
 analyse client needs,
purpose and
scenarios to inform
the design plan
 synthesise
information to design
solutions
 develop and test
components to refine
solutions.
Implementation
and evaluation
The dimension Implementation and evaluation focuses
on the quality of the web solution. The quality and
effectiveness of the solution is to be evaluated against
the client needs and the defined criteria formulated
during the design and development phase.
This dimension examines the use and refinement of
the developer’s skills throughout the design and
development phase to present a web solution.
It involves reflection on actions taken, design and
development contexts, inputs, processes and products
applied through all stages of planning and
development. Evaluation refers to assigning merit
according to criteria.
By the conclusion of the
course of study, students
should:
 use technical skills
and resources to
present a web
solution
 evaluate the solution
against the defined
criteria using the
contexts, inputs,
processes and
products (CIPP)
model of evaluation.
Subject matter
Theory and techniques
 Website development using industry standard software
 Features and functions of websites and associated files including templates and cascading style
sheets
 Development of audio, video and animation content
 Current trends in web development for mobile devices
 Documentation requirements for Design Proposal and Evaluation Report
 HCI design considerations for usability and accessibility
 Principles and theories relating to use of navigation mapping, storyboarding, wireframing, HTML,
CSS.
Problem-solving process
 Phases of the DDE problem-solving process
 Role of the components of the Design Proposal including the 3-option design model
 Creation of a website using HTML and CSS programming
 Use of a GUI web development interface
Queensland Studies Authority | 3
Subject matter
 Testing web functionality before and after posting to a live web server
 Completing an evaluation using CIPP model.
Project management
 Quality-assurance practices
 Project management considerations including scope, time, cost, quality risk, human resources,
physical resources and other constraints
 Use of project management software to develop a Gantt Chart.
Client relationships
 Client needs analysis developed through an interview or question/ answer email conversation
 Questioning and active listening techniques for conveying and clarifying information
 Techniques for obtaining and responding to client evaluation and feedback
 Developing communication strategies that meet client expectations
 Contractual obligations between client and developer.
Social and ethical issues
 Digital rights management
 Intellectual property
 Accessibility and equity issues
 Historical, current and future trends in web development
 Globalisation
 Disaster recovery planning.
4 | Information Technology Systems 2012 Sample unit of work
Learning experiences to select from
 Using a selection of websites, identify and define a set of web design concepts and principles.
 Use appropriate software to develop technical skills in creating a website and its components.
 Analyse how websites are built using HTML and CSS. Develop a presentation which summarises
your analysis.
 Use a web-based form to submit a client request using a FormMail server.
 Explain the benefits and constraints of developing a website for a mobile platform.
 Analyse the past, current and future trends in web development for mobile devices. Synthesise
the information into a magazine article for IT users.
 Analyse a variety of client-based scenarios to identify the client’s needs and how these could
inform the design proposal. Synthesise this information into a list of recommendations which could
be presented to an appropriate audience.
 Identify the contractual obligations between the client and the contractor which assist with
effective communication.
 Develop and test a range of audio, video and animation components for web solutions using
relevant industry standard software.
 Using Project Management software, e.g. Gantt chart, prepare a timeline which highlights the key
phases of a project.
 Identify and define the quality assurance techniques that would be applicable to a website
development project.
 Evaluate the design and development of different web solutions using collaborative discussion
tools, e.g. journal, blogs, forums.
 Identify a set of website usability and accessibility standards derived from the W3C web tutorials.
 Analyse the ethical issues relating to copyright and intellectual property of web resources.
 Analyse an existing client design brief to identify the ethical issues involved in designing and
developing a website.
 Identify the key elements of a Creative Commons Licence and Agreement and analyse how they
could be applied to a client scenario.
 Compare and contrast a variety of disaster recovery solutions, e.g. testing servers, backup
programs, cloud storage and offsite physical storage.
 Using an existing design plan, design concept roughs and mock-ups to present to a client. Test
components of your design solutions and refine where necessary. Document your modifications
and refinements using a variety of testing strategies, e.g. alpha and beta testing.
 Evaluate a completed website project against the CIPP model of evaluation, with teacher
guidance.
Queensland Studies Authority | 5
Possible Assessment A
Dimensions
Knowledge and communications
Design and development
Implementation and evaluation
Assessment
technique
Product — Project
Assessment
conditions
Group project
6 weeks duration
Class and own time
Access to all paper-based or online resources
Assessment tasks
Product — Group Project

Design, develop and evaluate a website containing a variety of content,
both static and animated, in response to a client’s requirements. An
external client is to be used for this project.
Possible Assessment B
Dimensions
Knowledge and communications
Design and development
Implementation and evaluation
Assessment
techniques
Supervised written — Combination of Short response, Extended written
response and Practical response
Assessment
conditions
Supervised written — exam
1.5 hours duration
Supervised
Online assessment using computers
No access to personal paper-based or online resources
Assessment tasks
Supervised written — exam

Exam to be held at the end of semester covering complete semester’s
material.
Resources
 http://lynda.com
 http://adobe.com
 Natcoll Textbooks
 Guided Computer Tutorials
 Adobe in a Classroom
6 | Information Technology Systems 2012 Sample unit of work