19/10 Classwork

Today, we were asked to start creating our websites for our coursework. I will be using the REACH Across database and creating a website so that it can be accessed online at any time. Here is a map of the layout of the pages:

It will be similar in design to the switchboard I used for my database last year.

17/10

Today, we started watching a series of videos to learn how to use Visual Web Developer which we will be using as part of our coursework.
The first video went through the basics of Visual Web Developer, explaining how to set up a new website, how to use visual basic code in construction of pages and which toolbars can be used for what functions (like adding new items to pages or accessing the toolbox to add elements to a page or how to switch between design view and source view).

Software Development quiz

Software Development Quiz

1. A ___________________ is a software solution developed with a particular organisation and its needs in mind, developed by their own ICT department or by a third party. 2.
ANSWER: Bespoke solution



2. Underline/highlight two advantages of off-the-shelf software:

* There will probably be operations that users require but the software does not support.
* It meets the customer's precise needs and unnecessary features are removed.
* Software is immediately available for use. - ANSWER
* Training is available from a far wider variety of sources. - ANSWER
* The customer will pay for functionality they may never use.
* It can be designed to interface with the organisation's existing systems.

3. What does CASE stand for?
- Computer and System Engine
- Computer Aided Software Engineering - ANSWER
- Computing and Software Efficiency


4. People management is when a system automatically makes sure team members are motivated and focused on the objective. True of False? FALSE

5. Which of these are used to compile periodic reports to show progress and highlight issues or concerns?

* Progress Monitoring
* Budget Control
* Reporting project status - ANSWER

16/10 Tuesday's Class

Our homework over the weekend was to summarise page 206-207. This is complete. Our homework for Thursday is progress questions 1-8 on page 216 from the textbook. This has yet to be completed.

Today, we did a System Development test. My intial results were 27/36 and on a second attempt 31/36 because I mixed around a few steps in the prototype model and got a question wrong about a type of diagram which describes the functionality of a system as a series of step-by-step instructions (and I didn't use a textbook for answers!).

Also, I have decided not to repeat any AS exams in January (or June) of this year (I already have 3 A2 modules and 2 AS repeats to do in January).

Today, we also have to devise our own test on another subject, similar to the one we took today (eg. multiple choice questions, true/false).

12th October 2007

Today, we continued to build our example Northwind Traders database website. Previously, I added tables in the 'Products' section to show a list of all products. This time, I added a table which shows specifically the 10 most expensive products.
We also looked at our target setting forms. I have set a target for myself to achieve a grade A in all of my modules this year.

9th October 2007 - Example website design layout

This is a very rough design map of the layout of my example 'Northwind Traders' website. It is a rough idea of the layout it will take, but it does not yet show fully what tables, queries and reports will be used on each page. I did not have time to finish the design of layout in class.

8th October - Progress Report

Last week, Mr. Barr was absent and the week previous to that, we were not in class because of other activities. During that week, we were asked to summarise section 4.5 (Software Development) of the textbook and complete questions 1-8 on page 261 and also Q's 4+5 on page 286/287. I did not do this work during that week because I did not have the time (interview preparation, retreat, work, other homeworks etc.). Therefore, I completed this work last week. Last week, we were also asked to complete a Normalisation workbook, of which we only got on Friday. Previous to that, I had worked on some normalisation questions which appeared on a word document on the datapool (which the teacher had asked us to do). I have worked on the workbook during the limited time in class (because she also showed us a normalisation powerpoint display on friday), over the weekend and today. I have completed up to section 2 of the workbook and will complete the final section as soon as I get the time (other homeworks to be completed and I am going to have a look at those normalisation websites mentioned in the workbook because I don't really understand section 3).
Last week on Wednesday, Mrs. Foster also asked us to summarise section 4.6 (Software Quality) in the textbook. This work is completed. We were also asked to update our blogs, of which I am doing now.
Therefore, I am completely up to date with everything apart from section 3 of the normalisation workbook, which I hope to complete later tonight when I finish my other homeworks or by the very latest some time tommorow.
Today in class, we worked on a target setting form. At AS Level, my results were as follows:
Module1: 69/90 B
Module 2: 82/90 A
Module 3: 120/120. A
Overall: Grade A

I have targeted for the following exam score:
Module 4: 85/90 A
Module 5: 85/90 A
Module 6: 120/120 A
Overall: Grade A

I recognised that my only concern during last year's Summer exam was probably the networking section of module 1's exam. This is the only module in which I didn't achieve a grade A. I scored 69/90, which was a grade B. The reason for this is because I had 2 other examinations on the same day (one for Geography and one for French) from 9.00 to 5.00 and only had a few days gap for studying since the last exam. This year, some of my module exams for subjects will take place in January instead, thus I will have more time to study and less chance of exams being crammed together (I have also dropped French this year).
Having modules in January (and possibly repeats), could affect coursework, but Mr.Barr has said he aims to get it done by Christmas, thus there shouldn't be a problem and I should be able to meet my target exam scores, and achieve an overall grade A at A-Level.