From the IB:
Analyzing the problem
The student will collect relevant information, identifying client/end-user needs, and explain two distinct IT approaches to meet these needs. For example, in order to publicize a particular project in a school, two distinct possible approaches would be:
- to produce a brochure by using a desktop publishing program
- to create a web site.
However, a brochure produced by a word processor and a desktop publishing program are not distinct approaches. Similarly, producing a web site by using two different methods are not distinct approaches.
Projects that do not use two distinct approaches will be penalized (see criterion H).
The following key questions should be considered.
- What is the relevant information that is needed for solving the problem?
- Have all the relevant stakeholders been consulted?
- Has all the necessary information been collected?
- What information is available about other IT solutions that have been used in similar situations?
- What hardware and software are currently available?
- Have the two approaches been completely described? Students should relate each approach back to the way it would address the need and the requirements of the end-users.
- Have the advantages and disadvantages of each of the approaches been identified?
- Have two feasible and distinct IT app roaches been identified?
Considering the feasibility of alternative IT solutions
The student is expected to compare the feasibility of two approaches. Assessing the feasibility means considering the appropriateness of the solution in this social context, the availability of technical and human resources and the cost effectiveness.
Assessment details
The following key questions should be considered.
- Which approach best meets the needs of the client/end-user(s)?
- It is possible that one approach best meets the needs of the client/end-user(s) but because of other advantages and disadvantages, the other approach is selected.
- Is it clear which approach will be selected and why?
From IB concerning last years projects:
Two distinct IT approaches that address the problem must be identified. This was done by all the candidates in the sample.
The candidates are also expected to analyze the two distinct IT approaches to the solution of the problem and this was partially done (all the candidates were able to compare advantages and disadvantages of two solutions and most of them could also justify their choice with regard to its feasibility and/or explain how the chosen solution would solve the problem). All the approaches analyzed by the candidates in the sample were clearly IT approaches. However, as an advice for future candidates, it is important to reinforce that they must indicate which IT tools will be used in the development of their proposed solutions. In any instance where there is no evidence in the text that an approach is an IT approach, a mark of zero is awarded. An example of a non-IT solution would be simply indicating that a film will be made using a video camera without any reference to film editing on a computer.
Here is a guide to writing Criterion H. This should help you decide what to put in, and what might not be necessary.
So, get to it, write your first draft of Criterion H and post it to the Blog.
Please use this feedback form as a guide to evaluating another classmates Criterion H. When you are finished with the form save it to your desktop and then attach it to your reply on the forum.
Thanks to Mr. Zac Gordon and Ms. Molnar for their contributions!