Software Development

VCAA Exam Post Mortem

2012

Post Mortem Notes

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Case study

CASE STUDY INSERT FOR SECTION C
Please remove from the centre of this book during reading time.

The air quality and asthma study

The government has funded Bigton University to carry out a major study into the effects of air pollution on asthma sufferers in Victoria. They would like to find out

1. how much effect common air pollutants have on asthmatics
2. the geographical distribution of asthma attacks in relation to the time when they occur and the pollutants involved.

Dr John Fischer has been put in charge of the research. He has a team of postgraduate students who will acquire data about air pollution and asthma, and store it in one place so that they can analyse it.

To achieve the goals of the study, the team will recruit up to 1500 volunteer asthmatics from as many parts of Victoria as possible and collect data from them during a one-year period.

The data collection system must obtain data about symptoms from the asthmatics as well as obtain measurements of air quality, location and time for up to 24 hours before an asthma episode. The data must also be acquired by a method that is portable.

One of the team members suggests that they could give each asthmatic a 'smart' mobile phone. The asthmatic could enter data about their asthma episode and the phone could provide the location and time data.

Dr Fischer asks the university's engineering department to design a cheap device that can measure levels of four common air pollutants, so that the data collection system can measure air quality. He would also like this device to be attached to a mobile phone.

The Clip-on Air Sampler and Sensor Array

In response to Dr Fischer's request, the engineering department has designed and built a small device that can be clipped onto the back of a mobile phone.

The Clip-on Air Sampler and Sensor Array (CASSA) contains four sensors, one for each air pollutant of interest. In order for the CASSA to work properly, users must wear the phone and the device on a belt rather than having it in their pocket or handbag. The CASSA is a simple device that communicates with the mobile phone via a mini USB cable. It is capable of taking one set of measurements every five minutes.

The Air Quality and Asthma Data Acquisition System (AQADAS)

Now that the team has the hardware to capture all the data that it needs for the study, it can start work on creating a system that will collect and store all this data. One of the team members, Ilma, is studying computer programming. She agrees to design the Air Quality and Asthma Data Acquisition System (AQADAS) and write whatever software is needed. Two other students, Anton and Maria, offer to help her.

Ilma starts her analysis by leading a discussion about how data collection in AQADAS could work. The three students think that the simplest approach would be

1. either during the asthma episode or soon after an episode, the asthmatic enters details about their symptoms into the mobile phone
2. after completing the entry, the asthmatic sends all the data acquired by the mobile phone to a central file server at the university, as shown in Diagram 2.

As the discussion proceeds, Ilma draws a data flow diagram (DFD). The three students agree that the DFD shown in Diagram 3 represents what they need for the data collection section of the system. They also agree to work out the details of the main data store later. Ilma draws a single data store to represent all the data that would be stored in the system. Similarly she draws a single process to show the research team's own data processing requirements.

Instructions for Section C

Answer all questions in the spaces provided. Remove the case study insert and read all the information provided before you answer these questions. Answers must apply to the case study.

Having obtained agreement about the overall system, Ilma carries out a full analysis. She will document this in a software requirements specification (SRS) and give it to the team to make sure they agree with her analysis.

Question 1

The data collection section of AQADAS has a number of non-functional and functional requirements.

a.    Identify the most important non-functional requirement. 1 mark

It must be portable.

Even though a range of responses was accepted, one of the most important non-functional requirements is 'ease of use'.

Average mark 40%

b.    Identify two important functional requirements. 2 marks

• It must obtain data about symptoms.
• It must obtain measurements of air quality, location and time before an asthma episode.

This question asked students to identify what AQADAS is required to do and should be able to do. There was a range of functional requirements that students could have identified, including 'facilitate entry of symptoms', 'obtain air quality measurements', 'obtain location and time' and 'keep data for up to 24 hours'.

Average mark 25%

c.    Identify one important functional requirement that a mobile phone alone cannot provide. 1 mark

Measuring levels of air pollutants.

Even though obtaining air quality measurements may be a functional requirement, it is not something that a mobile phone can do without additional hardware/software.

This question asked students to analyse the case study and identify solution requirements – both functional (what it is required) and non-functional (the solution attributes, such as user-friendliness, response rates, robustness, portability, reliability and maintainability). Many students were unable to write solution requirements, and confused functional and non-functional requirements.
Throughout the year, clear and concise solution requirements should be modelled (using dot points, numbered lists, tables, etc.), where appropriate, in design briefs and SRS. In addition, students should practise identifying and writing appropriate solution requirements from provided stimulus material.

Average mark 50%

Question 2

Ilma begins to draw a context diagram (below) so that it is clear where AQADAS will get its data from and to whom it will provide information. Based on the case study, including the data flow diagram (DFD; Diagram 3), complete the diagram for Ilma. 3 marks

This was trickier than I thought. I first just attached the symptom_data arrow to the CASSA external entity and thought, "3 marks... but I've only added 2 things, the data flow and the label. How are they going to mark this? I must be missing something." Another read of the case study made it clearer. I was treating the CASSA unit and the mobile phone as a single entity, but the phone should be considered a separate entity responsible for the symptom data. The new entity, the data flow arrow and the label accounted for 3 marks. The moral of the story: when you have an indeterminate number of things to add, use the marking scheme to guide you to how many items are expected.

19 Nov 2012 - Our friend Kevork has pointed out an interesting issue with this context diagram. It shows CASSA providing sensor data directly to AQADAS, but the DFD clearly shows CASSA's data going to the phone for collation and transmission. We all know data flows between external entities do not appear in CDs or DFDs, so strictly speaking the CD is wrong.

VCAA might say that CASSA provides data to AQADAS and the phone is just an intermediary, but the phone does have to collate the data...  Hmmm. Interesting. What do you guys think?

Many students were not able to complete the context diagram provided. Students should have carefully read the case study stimulus material that was provided in the insert since it contained a data flow diagram (DFD) that would have assisted them with completing the diagram. A significant number of students identified the 'mobile phone' as an external entity, when in fact it should have been 'asthmatics'; they provide the data. The mobile phone is the collection device and thus not included on a DFD.

Yep, in retrospect I'd agree with that. Change 'Mobile phone' to 'Asthmatics' in the DFD above.

Average mark 36%

Question 3

Ilma thinks that her non-computer-science colleagues might not understand technical diagrams, so she decides to include a use case diagram in her SRS. Most of the diagram is drawn below.

Based on the case study, complete the diagram by

A.    labelling the un-named actor in the diagram. 1 mark

Asthmatics.

B.    identifying the actions that this actor needs to carry out and appropriately labelling the empty use cases. 2 marks

1. Validate symptom data.
2. Collate asthma episode data.

The first use case can be determined because in the DFD the first process after the data arrives is validation.

The second one was trickier. I originally had "Record symptom data" because it matched the equivalent communication line coming in from the CASSA actor.

Heath, however, suggested it could be the collation process since it passes data including the phone_id, which is not mentioned earlier, which suggests that the phone_id is fetched by the collation process and not when recording symptom data.

Students had difficulty identifying the correct use cases (set of tasks that the system must carry out), with many identifying the mobile phone as the actor (role) rather than the asthmatics.
The use of exemplar DFDs and use case diagrams throughout the year is encouraged. In addition, students may find value in practising the construction of DFDs and use case diagrams from the stimulus material.

Average mark for 3a and 3b - 40%

Question 4

From the DFD in the case study, list the processes that have to be included in the software solution for the mobile phones. 1 mark

1,2,3,4.

Funny... only one mark for several processes listed... but two marks for question 3b. Do students get two-thirds of a mark if they only found 2 of the points above?

This involved clearly working out in the DFD geographically where things were happening in the system - in the phone or in CASSA.

Few students were able to identify the correct processes from the DFD. These were
 1. standardise measurements
 2. append location and time
 3. collate asthma episode data
 4. validate symptom data.

This information was taken directly from the DFD in the case study insert. Students could have written the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 or written out each process in full as above. The order was not important.
If students listed all five processes, they received no marks as they did not understand that the question related only to the processes involved in the software solution used on the mobile phone.

Average mark 10%

Question 5

After reading through Ilma's SRS, Anton suggests that it might be a good idea to implement the system as a virtual private network (VPN).

a.   Briefly describe a VPN. 2 marks

It's a secure, encrypted connection ('pipeline') to communicate from outside a LAN to within the LAN using the standard internet infrastructure.

This question, needing a technical description, was well answered by many students. However, it is disappointing that many students do not score any marks for this type of question. It is important that students are able to provide technically accurate descriptions. The development of a glossary of technical terms throughout the year may assist students with these terms. Answers should have referred to a VPN being a private network that uses public infrastructure and that access was gained through authentication security protocols.

Average mark 55%

b.   Do you agree or disagree with Anton's recommendation? Justify your answer. 2 marks

I agree. The VPN's encryption would safeguard the sensitive medical data being communicated, and the VPN's use of standard internet infrastructure means they don't need expensive dedicated communication lines.

Students were required to agree or disagree with the recommendation to set up a VPN. They also needed to ensure that reasons were provided, applicable to the case study, to justify their contention. An example of an acceptable answer for supporting a VPN is the increased security will better protect the privacy of asthmatics. An acceptable answer for opposing a VPN is the additional cost to the research project of setting up authorisations.

Average mark 50%

Question 6

Ilma is about to begin the design and development of the software when Dr Fischer receives an email from the university's legal department, reminding him that there are some legal obligations that must be complied with by the software developer.
Discuss two concerns that Ilma needs to investigate to make sure she meets her legal obligations and describe what she can do to deal with these concerns. 4 marks

concern 1

Under the Health Records Act (Vic) 2001, the developers have a responsibility to safeguard the health and medical information of the volunteers, and protect it from misuse, damage, loss or unauthorised access. She can encrypt stored data, and protect data during communication using SSL or TLS or a VPN.

concern 2

Under the Copyright Act 1968, the developers must ensure if they use other people's programming code that they respect the intellectual property rights of its authors. She can either use no other person's code, or contact the authors to get permission to use it, or pay for the rights to use it.

Don't forget to do the second bit of the question, describing what she can do to deal with the concerns. That accounts for half the marks, and is easy to overlook when focusing on identifying the laws.

This question contained two parts: discussing the concerns and then describing what could be done to deal with the concerns. Many students overlooked the second part of the question.
Responses could have included the Privacy Act or the Health Records Act and anything within these to do with privacy, security, access, collection or dissemination. Copyright of coding was also appropriate.
The following are extracts from high-scoring responses:

'Ilma needs to make sure that the data she collects through the use of her design is only collected once the users are made aware of what their data will be used for and what they will be collecting and then agree to these terms and conditions. She can assure this by asking permission of the user before collecting the data.'

' To obey the Privacy Acts, the medical data sent by the asthmatics must be protected and secure. This can be achieved by encrypting the data when transferring it, and making sure the file storage is protected, both physically and logically, e.g. locks and guards at the university, and a firewall along with antivirus, anti spyware and passwords on accounts that can access the data.'

Average mark 53%

Question 7

The application software on the mobile phone will cause an air quality measurement to be taken every five minutes. As shown in the DFD, the air quality data will be stored in the data store accumulated_air_quality_data. Since only 24 hours of data is needed, after each measurement is taken any air quality measurement that is more than 24 hours old will be deleted.
What type of data structure is most suited to storing data in this way? Justify your selection, making reference to other data structures. 3 marks

data structure

a sequential data file

justification

In 24 hours, there would only be 288 records to store (24 * 12 per hour), which is quite a modest quantity of data. A sequential text file would be very easy to code and it would not require the superior retrieval speed offered by a random file which comes at the cost of fixed-length records (which can be wasteful of space) and increased coding complexity.

Alternatively does the data store need to be in a file at all? This relatively small amount of data could be stored in RAM in records containing 4 numeric pollutant readings + location code + time + date fields.

The study design's key knowledge refers to data structures as being (with my emphasis)
- U3O2 KK03 - types of data structures, including one-dimensional arrays, records and files
- U4O1 KK10 - forms and uses of data structures to organise and manipulate data, including two-dimensional arrays, stacks and queues

Others have said that it should be a queue. I'm not so sure. A queue keeps incoming data in order so it can be processed in order, but the DFD shows the pollutant data is stored with its timestamp, so the data need not be stored in any particular order: they could be sorted and processed using their timestamp.

So files, records and queues are on the agenda. Which is right? The markers should be able to accept any of them with a reasonable and relevant justification, IMO.

Even though there is considerable information provided in the case study insert, students need to ensure that they carefully read any of the additional information provided within each question. This additional information is often used to prepare or guide the student when analysing the situation and may help them narrow their possible responses.

Students should have knowledge of the following data structures: one- and two-dimensional arrays, records and files, stacks and queues. In this question, information was provided about what data would be stored, when it would be stored, for how long it would be stored and in what order it would be deleted (oldest deleted first). This information was to be used to select a suitable data structure (from the above list).

Many students had difficulty identifying a data structure and used programming terms that were not data structures. Students should have identified a queue as the appropriate data structure, described it as 'first in first out' and explained that a stack, being 'last in first out', was not appropriate in this situation (as the first data in was what should be removed).

Average mark 30%

Question 8

Maria is given the task of designing the user interface to be used on the mobile phones. The SRS has the following specifications.

Maria has been advised that some asthmatics will enter this data during or immediately after an asthma episode, so the user interface needs to ensure that the data is captured efficiently and limit the chance of errors. The sketches marked Design 1 and Design 2 in the case study insert show two designs that Maria has created for this interface.

a.    Identify one important technical consideration that has affected the two designs of the user interface. 1 mark

• Screen aspect (height compared to width)
• Screen resolution.
• The availability of touchscreen capabilities.
• Availability of scrollable lists and option buttons in the programming language's GUI.

The screen size and input/output methods were the most common and appropriate technical considerations that affected the design of the user interface.

Average mark 50%

b. For both Design 1 and Design 2, explain one advantage of each that makes that design the more efficient and/or effective method of data entry for the asthmatics. 2 marks

Advantage of Design 1

Less user activity (tapping) is involved because all of the necessary controls are visible and don't need a separate tap to reveal them : 10 taps for a complete record using design 1 compared to 17 for design 2.

Advantage of Design 2

It takes up less screen space, which is advantageous for phones with lower screen resolution.

Some accepted advantages of the designs include the speed of Design 1, as the user just touches options that are already displayed on the screen, and the compactness of Design 2 means it is less likely that the user would have to scroll or swipe through the screen to get to all data entry points.
Most students were able to provide an advantage of each design. Responses such as 'Design 1 is more efficient' or
'Design 2 is quicker and easier' received no marks. Details were required as to why one was more efficient, why one was more effective, etc.

Average mark 85%

c. Of the two interface designs provided, select and justify the better option for the AQADAS system. 2 marks

Question C16 says that asthmatics are given a phone, so the study could select a phone with a tall aspect and be sure that the interface will fit it. In that case design 1 will be preferable.

As Kevork has added, being able to see and review all of your selected answers at once would be better than having them all hidden in submenus.

However, if the asthmatics used their own variety of phones and screen sizes, it would have been better to design conservatively and use design 2, which all phones would have been able to display. While some phones would have the height to accommodate design 1, many would not and users might have to scroll the display up and down to see the entire interface.

If, during reading time, students had not noticed this information in question 16 about the phones being provided by the university, they might have given a very different answer here. The moral of the story is that later questions can inform earlier questions.

19 Nov 2012 - Kevork has been pointed out that it is unfair to expect students to use information from a later question to correctly answer an earlier one. I agree.

Students should be able to rely just on the information provided SO FAR to answer a question. They should not have to take 'future' information into account.

Bad examiner! Bad!

Students should have provided a response that examined the two options and included a reasoned explanation of their choice. Either design could have been selected.

Average mark 75%

Question 9

It is decided to have the asthmatics fill out a standard form so that the large amount of personal data can be entered efficiently. This data will then be entered using Optical Character Recognition (OCR). Unfortunately, this can produce a number of errors and, where possible, Ilma wants the software to validate the data before it is stored in AsthmaticsFile.

The table below shows some of the data that will need to be stored. From the following list of data types, select the most appropriate data type and give one reason for your choice. An example has been provided. 4 marks

Data types: integer, floating point number, Boolean, character, string

The majority of students handled this question well. Students had to correctly state the data type and the reason for each listed data to score one mark.

Average mark 70%

Question 10

To check that the postcode for the asthmatic is valid, the function below is written. To be a valid Victorian postcode for a residential address, it must be a number from 3000 to 3999. The function is called after validating that the postcode has been entered and is a number.

Function CheckPostcode(postcode)
Begin
  ValidPostcode  true
  If postcode<3000 or postcode>3999 Then
    ValidPostcode false
  Endif
  Return ValidPostcode
End

a.   Complete the table below by giving four values of a postcode that would test the function and give a reason for selecting each. These values together should give a broad test of the function. 4 marks

This is another example where the stem of the question contained valuable information that assisted with answering the question. The function 'check postcode' validation had already occurred to ensure that a four-digit number was entered. The function performed a range check and required the boundary conditions to be tested.

b.   Not all numbers between 3000 and 3999 are used as postcodes in Victoria. Ilma decides to include a function that checks whether the entered number matches a postcode that is used in Victoria. How is this type of validation best described? 1 mark

A range check to ensure the supplied postcode is in a list of valid postcods.

An additional validation is recommended, which checks if the postcode is a valid Victorian postcode. Students were asked to state how this would best be described. The question did not ask for the name of the validation technique that was suggested. One way of describing this test would be, 'it checks if the postcode is contained in the list of valid Victorian postcodes'. A range of other responses was accepted.

Average mark for 10a plus 10b - 52%

Question 11

Dr Fischer has decided that he wants an equal number of males and females involved in this study. Ilma writes the following short procedure to calculate the number of male and female asthmatics already entered.

Begin
   NumAsthmatics  0
   NumMales 0
   Repeat
      Read AsthmaticsGender from AsthmaticsFile
      If AsthmaticsGender = 'M' Then
         NumMales NumMales + 1
      Endif
      NumFemales   NumAsthmatics - NumMales
      NumAsthmatics NumAsthmatics + 1
   Until End of File
   Display NumAsthmatics, NumMales, NumFemales
End

a.    To check the algorithm, the values F, M, F have been entered into AsthmaticsFile.
Use this test data to complete the table below, showing the actual output of the algorithm.

Working space (25% of a page) It's good to see some working space provided!

NM=0. NF=0.	loop 1	loop 2	loop 3
Repeat       Read Gender       If AsthmaticsGender = 'M' Then          NumMales NumMales + 1       Endif       NumFemales   NumAsthmatics - NumMales       NumAsthmatics NumAsthmatics + 1    Until End of File	gender=F false NF=0-0=0 NA=1	gender=M true NM=0+1=1 NF=1-1=0 NA=1+1=2	gender=F false NF=2-1=1 NA=2+1=3

This is how I handle deskchecks with looping values. Beside each line of code I put the current values of variables as they are calculated. Each extra column shows a new iteration of the loop. It works for me and avoids simple but significant errror.

1 mark

Students were required to consider a presented algorithm, check its logic and identify the error. To support students, working space was provided so that they could draw up a draft table to desk-check the algorithm if required. It was encouraging to see that many students utilised this space.

Average mark 40%

b.    Unfortunately, when Ilma runs the procedure the results show that it is not working properly.
What is it about the values displayed at the end of the procedure that show that the procedure is not working properly? 1 mark

numMales + NumFemales should equal NumAsthmatics

To get the one mark for this question, students needed to provide a response similar to: 'The value displayed for the number of females is wrong. The number of females is one fewer than it should be. The expected values should be:
Asthmatics = 3, Males = 1 and Females = 2.

Average mark 40%

c.    Explain how this error could be corrected. As part of your explanation, write in full the pseudocode statement(s) to which you are referring. Do not use line numbers. 2 marks

The line "NumAsthmatics NumAsthmatics + 1" should update the NumAsthmatics count before the line " NumFemales   NumAsthmatics - NumMales."

The line of pseudocode statement(s) that needed correction/editing was
NumAsthmatics NumAsthmatics + 1
or
NumFemales   NumAsthmatics - NumMales

An appropriate explanation related to the line of code could have been as follows.
Move NumAsthmaticsNumAsthmatics + 1 to immediately after the end if or after the Read.
or
Move the line NumFemalesNumAsthmatics – NumMales to immediately before or after the Until.
E.g.
NumFemalesNumAsthmatics – NumMales
Until End of File
or
Until End of File
NumFemalesNumAsthmatics – NumMales

Students needed to suggest one of the ways that worked. There were other appropriate suggestions. However, the key to correcting the algorithm was to ensure that the number of females is calculated after the total number of asthmatics is increased.

Average mark 40%

Question 12

It will be necessary from time to time to update personal information for some of the asthmatics. It is thought that this will need to be done no more than three times a month for the life of the project. The code used to uniquely identify each asthmatic will be a simple number starting at 0001 and increasing to 1500. There are two possible ways that the AsthmaticsFile can be organised, either as serial access or as random access.

Ilma decides to use a random access file and use the asthmatics code to retrieve the record.
Using two advantages that random access has over serial access in this situation, explain why she has made this decision. 4 marks

1. Random file access can be far faster that serial access since the starting point of records can be calculated mathematically and a record sought immediately without have to read all the intervening records.

2. Changing a record in a random file is as simple as locating it and writing its new values in its existing position (which is possible since all records are the same length). A serial file can only add records at the end of the file, so to change (say) record 5 of 1000, you must read the first 4 records from the existing file, write them to a new file, write the altered record 5, then read the next 995 records from the original file and write them to the new file. Then the old file needs to be closed, deleted, and the new file renamed with the original file's name.

Random access versus serial access has appeared in a number of examinations over the last few years. However, students still found it difficult to express their response in a detailed and clear manner. An appropriate response would have included comments about ease of reading and/or writing random access files, would have compared these to serial access and would have indicated why random access was appropriate in this scenario.

For example: A sequential file would require the whole file to be read each time and then, after making the alterations, the whole file would have to be rewritten. With a random access file, you can read just the record that you require and rewrite just this record. In this case, you have the asthmatics code, which could be used to identify the record in a random file, so access is no problem. You are doing this only infrequently, so you do not want to have to read the whole file, just the record that you are interested in. Hence, random access would be much faster.

Average mark 35%

Question 13

The records in AsthmaticsFile will be kept in asthmatics code order (from lowest to highest). It will be necessary to find individual records by using the asthmatic's name. Anton suggests using a simple linear search, where you start at the first record and read each record until you find the one you want. Maria says that for 1500 records this will be too slow and argues that they should use a binary search.
Which method is the more appropriate to use in this case and why? 2 marks

Since the data is sorted by code rather than name, it will not allow a binary search by name because the names are in random order. A linear search is the only alternative.

In this question, students needed to indicate that a linear search (Anton's suggestion) was more appropriate and justify it by explaining why a binary search would not work in this situation. The question required students to have in-depth knowledge of the binary search technique. In the AsthmaticsFile, the records are not ordered according to the asthmatic's name, so a binary search will not work as it requires the records to be ordered in the field you are searching and the researchers plan to find records by using the asthmatic's name.

Average mark 15%

Question 14

Before Ilma can announce that the mobile phone software solution is ready to be used, she needs to go through the process of acceptance testing.

a.    Who else should be involved in the acceptance testing?1 mark

Dr Fischer (the programmer's client)

This is potentially ambiguous: does it mean acceptance testing by the customer (Dr Fischer) or user acceptance testing (by a typical end-user, like an asthmatic)? Some people use the term "acceptance testing" to mean "user acceptance testing." The last part of the next question offers a clue that Dr Fischer is indeed the person being referred to in this question. The moral of the story: if you see the same key knowledge apparently being examined twice, consider whether you got one of the two things mis-identified!

Many students read this question as an evaluation question when, in fact, it covered acceptance testing, which occurs in the last part of any development prior to implementation. Typically, the key personnel in acceptance testing is the client – meaning Dr Fischer or the research team.

b.   The table below shows three criteria that should be tested. Outline a technique for obtaining information about each. 3 marks

This last one is definitely user acceptance testing, which strengthens my guess that the earlier question does refer to (client) acceptance testing.

When describing a technique, students should indicate who the stakeholders are, what data will be collected, the method of collection (survey, observation, etc.) and how this will be used to check against criteria/requirements. There were many possible responses.
Generally, students performed poorly on this question as it required them to apply their knowledge of acceptance testing and techniques to the case study.

Average mark for 14a and 14b - 20%

Question 15

Anton is preparing user documentation that will be provided to the 1500 asthmatics in the asthma study. He has proposed the development of a printed user manual that outlines how to use the software, the mobile phone and the sensor that is provided to the asthmatics. However, Maria has suggested that an electronic guide that is stored on the mobile phone would be a better approach.

a.    Outline two advantages of a printed manual over an electronic guide. 2 marks

• It can be read even when the system is not yet present or is not working.
• Its larger area will make it easier to read than a little phone's screen could.
• Users can write notes in the margins and highlight text.

It's hard coming up with 2 advantages!

Average mark 75%

b.   Outline two advantages of an electronic guide over a printed manual. 2 marks

• It's far cheaper to reproduce, compared to colour printing.
• It can be updated quickly and uploaded to phones quickly.
• It can use multimedia (e.g. sound, video)
• It can use electronic searches for key words.
• It can offer content-sensitive help according to what the user is currently doing with the software.

Average mark 80%

c.    Ilma has looked at both of these options and is not happy with either of them.
Suggest another way to present the user documentation that would suit this situation and explain the benefits to users. 2 marks

Put it on a website. On the larger surface area of a computer monitor, the text will be more readable. It will retain all the advantages of being electronic, as shown above.

Most students were able to provide appropriate examples of the advantages of a printed manual, including that it is simple and easy to use, can be used without knowledge of the phone and can be used when there is no power for the phone, and the advantages of an electronic guide, including that it is always available, easily updated and it is easier to search for information that you need, plus cheaper.
Students were also able to provide a range of alternatives, including a website, context-sensitive help and quick start guide.

Average mark 60%

Question 16

Asthmatics in the study will be mailed their pack one month prior to the commencement of the research. The pack contains their mobile phone (with the software solution pre-installed), the sensor and user documentation. The research team has insisted that all users of the system be provided with appropriate training in the use of the software module and the use and care of the sensor. The team also wants the asthmatics to undertake a short quiz at the end of the training to ensure that they have developed the necessary skills and knowledge to use the software and equipment. All of the training must be completed within four weeks of the asthmatics receiving their packs. As the 1500 asthmatics are located across all of Victoria, this will be a very difficult task to organise.

Outline the most suitable training strategy that will allow all 1500 asthmatics to undertake the necessary training and meet the requirements set out by the research team. Justify your strategy. 4 marks

The most feasible option is online training, using multimedia tutorials on a website. Such training can be entertaining and responsive to users' actions. It can also do the testing and assessment of users' skills.

Any other option would be too slow, difficult or ineffective: group lectures would force many people to travel long distances; one-on-one training would be far too slow, even if it would be very effective in catering for individual needs; train-the-trainer won't work because there are no groups for the trainer to go back and train.

Many students found it difficult to develop a training strategy. A strategy is a method by which an activity is carried out. This would include a set of steps/procedures covering what will be done, when it will happen, who does it, etc. In their training strategy, students should have included the following

• a timeline of activities (when training will occur)
• the method of training e.g. online, trainer, website, class, etc.
• the method of evaluating the training e.g. short test, quiz, demonstration, etc.
• justification (of appropriate method) e.g. access across Victoria, cannot have 1500 in one place at one time, etc.

Average mark 48%

END OF QUESTION AND ANSWER BOOK