25 FEB 2008

Dear colleagues
> 
> From questions and queries regarding the CAT PAT it is seems that in many instances, that for the current Grade 12 learners the PAT was neglected (or not done at all, or done incorrectly/insufficiently) in Grades 10 and 11.
> It is important that the content for Information Management (LO3) is taught properly and the skills of managing information is built from Grade 10, through Grade 11 to Grade 12 (scaffolding) so that learners will be able to engage in the Grade 12 PAT using those skills.
> The PAT in Grade 10 and 11 should go the full circle: From the task definition to the solution. The scope could be much smaller and some of the phases could be collapsed. If you feel that three phases for Grade 10 would be enough, that would be fine - as long as the PAT goes the full circle.
> One should also remember that the Grade 10 learners will first have to acquire enough knowledge and skills before they could attempt the PAT. Therefore it might not be a good idea to start the PAT too early in Grade 10. Starting in the 3rd term only could be the answer, especially as it need not have such a big scope.
> The same goes for Grade 11. Learners will need database skills before they can engage in PAT activities in a meaningful way.
> Towards Grade 11 the scope of the PAT should become bigger (and phases could increase e.g. from 3 to 4)
> If you need more background on LO3, have a look at the following web pages:
> <http://www.big6.com/files/Big6Handouts.pdf>
> <http://www.big6.com/showarticle.php?id=134>
> <http://www.big6.com/showarticle.php?id=127>
> <http://fno.org/mar08/searching.html>
> 
> 
> Carina Labuscagne
> CES: Computer Sciences
> Department of Education
> Tel.  (012)  312 5198
> Fax. (012)  321 2128
> Labuscagne.C@doe.gov.za

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Dear colleagues

Many of you have noticed that the assessment tools for phase 5 and 6 are not correct.

The problem with phase 5 is minor, but the assessment tool for phase 6 will have to be replaced.

Page 6 (Assessment Tool section) of the PDF document (phase 5)
The text in the table that reds: - up to 15 marks should read - up to 10 marks
Page 7 (Assessment Tool section) of the PDF document (phase 5)
The total that appears at the bottom of the table should read 80 not 85. (See table p 5 of teacher instructions and p 3 or learner instructions)
Page 8 (Assessment tool section) of the PDF document (phase 6)
The whole table needs to be replaced as it is an old version which totals 59 and not 85 as it should. See attached document.

Could you please update your teachers accordingly.