Project(to+2011)

=** Project (to 2011) SL Only **=


 * See the separate link for Project (2012 onwards). **

The ITGS SL Project consists of three components:

 * Logbook
 * Product
 * Report following assessment criteria



The ITGS project consists of the following stages:
 * 1) identifying a client with a problem that requires an IT solution and interviewing them
 * 2) regularly maintaining a **logbook**
 * 3) designing, developing and testing a **product** and confiring often with the client
 * 4) writing a (max 2500 word) **report** (using the entries from the logbook, screenshots and assessment criteria as headings) with required items in the **appendices**

It is important before beginning the project that the students are familiar with:
 * the description of the SL Project (ITGS Guide pages 33-35, pages 40-45(top of the page) -DO NOT use the old assessment criteria pages 445(middle)-48)
 * new assessment criteria for the SL Project
 * guidance on the appropriateness and complexity of the Product
 * Project section from the ITGS Subject Report, May 2009

"Process" is the key word in the success of the ITGS project. Teachers need to guide and check the progress of the students after each stage of development (after each of the criteria are planned and completed).

Teachers often manage the students' progress by:
 * initialing progress in the logbook and providing advice
 * setting deadlines for completion of the various stages of development
 * ensuring that the student is frequently consulting with the client
 * talking to the student as they are working on their product in class (This is also important to ensure that the product has been developed by the student.)

The following flowchart demonstrates the process with the criteria.

The keys to success are:
 * allowing enough time in the ITGS course for students to develop their projects (typically a span of 5-6 months)
 * students submitting a project proposal for teacher approval before continuing.
 * the student working with a client who the student knows (school personnel, family or family acquaintances). Strangers do not work out well! and often leave students stranded in the middle of the project. They have no reason to stay committed.
 * producing a feasible IT solution (product) for the client that solves the problem and can be maintained by the client. Time needs to be spent in adequately designing the product and learning the IT tools.
 * the student regularly confiring with the client throughout criteria G through K (Yes, even on criterion K the client should be consulted). The student needs to carefully follow both the project criteria and the project checklist (see IB Resources for this Module above).
 * the student planning criterion G, criterion H and criterion I in the logbook and having approval from both the teacher and the client before proceeding to begin the product.
 * the student must stick to the timeline he created for the entire process from planning, developing and completing the entire project from the first entry in the logbook to writing the first draft of the report to be submitted
 * feedback is necessary from the ITGS teacher on the first draft pointing out where criteria have not been met
 * ITGS teacher managing the progress of students through the project
 * carefully reading the Project secton of the ITSG Subject Report for M09 and avoiding the problems cited in the report


What software and hardware resources would you recommend for a school to have avaiable in order to make projects suitable for ITGS?


What online resources are useful for the ITGS project?


What strategies would you use to help a student who claims that they cannot find a client or "don't know what to do"?


Download from the OCC:
 * New Project Assessment Criteria
 * New Project Checklists
 * Appropriateness and Complexity of the Project
 * ITGS Subject Report M09 (section on the Project)

//
**Note: resourc****es have been compiled from various workshops - they are not IB recommendations - you will need to evaluate them**

**Web Design** Krug, Steve. //Don’t Make Me Think, A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability//. New Riders Press; 2nd edition, 2005. ISBN-10: 0321344758. ISBN-13: 978-0321344755. Excellent book on web design. Very readable.

DiNucci, Darcy, Maria Giudice, and Lynne Stiles. //Elements of Web Design//. Adobe Press, 1999. ISBN 0-201-69698-3. Old but still a great source of design techniques.

Williams, Robin and John Tollett. //The Non-Designer’s Web Book, 3d Edition.// Peachpit Press, 2005.

**Desktop Publishing** Williams, Robin. //The Non-Designer's Design and Type Books//. Combines the Non-Designer’s Design Book and the Non-Designer’s Type Book. Peachpit Press, 2007.

Williams, Robin. //The Non-Designer’s Design Book//. Third Edition. Peachpit Press, 2008.

Williams, Robin. //The Mac is not a Typewriter.// Peachpit Press, 2003.

**Websites:** Guidelines for conducting interviews: __[]__

 Web design mistakes: __[|www.useit.com/alertbox/designmistakes.html]__

__Quicktime tutorials for a range of applications: [|http://www.atomiclearning.com]__ Beginning levels are free. Other levels by subscription.

Apple iLife series support and tutorials: [] and []

__Database: [|FileMaker 9 Video Tutorials]__ - free, but not complete.

Database: [|www.intelligentedu.com/newly_researched_free_training/Database.html]

 Practice Modules for classrooms, includes Dreamweaver, Powerpoint and Excel among others: __[]__