Monday, May 25, 2009

PAT - Marking the PAT

I had a long hard look at the PAT and how to assess it. Questions were asked by students about the assessment and doing the work. Have a look at the numbered assessment tool (rubric) and comments on the assessment. I am more and more impressed by this tool which teaches (and assesses) how to find a solution to a problem in a world of info glut. Thank you to the CPUT ACE students who asked the questions!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Gr 12 Exam guidelines

The Department supplied a document on guidelines for examinations which I made into a PPT.  The CPUT ACE students found it useful so here it is for all to see.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Excel - How to prevent a formula from displaying in the formula bar

Such a nice feature. I somehow missed it!

How to prevent a formula from displaying in the formula bar.
Caution - This procedure also prevents the cells that contain the formula from being edited.
  1. Select the range of cells whose formulas you want to hide.
  2. On the Format menu, click Cells, and then click the Protection tab.
  3. Select the Hidden check box. Click OK.
  4. On the Tools menu, point to Protection and then click Protect Sheet.
  5. Make sure the Protect worksheet and contents of locked cells check box is selected.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Exam considerations

I have been looking at old exam papers. Problems come to mind:
  • Our learners do not have bank accounts where they can experience Internet banking. We should teach it using real banking, but keeping our financial details private – tricky!
  • Our learners have not experienced dot matrix printers, something all older CAT teachers know – how do we show it to our learners or how do we demonstrate it?
  • Our learners have not experienced stiffy disks, something all those from affluent schools and ‘modern’ homes do not know – how do we show it to our learners or how do we demonstrate it?
These are all questions which older CAT teachers know and regularly put in examination papers, but have difficulty teaching to our young people.
And found on a paper – May a school … Learners mix it with Can a school … Learners should know the difference between Can and May!