Applied Computing

Units 3-4 Software Development 

VCE Applied Computing: Software Development is a subject that focuses on programming (Python), developing a program to meet a need or opportunity (SAT) and cybersecurity.

UNIT 3

AOS 1 – Programming. In this area of study, students interpret the requirements and designs for developing working software modules. Students use a common OOP language (Python at Heathmont) and undertake the problem-solving activities of manipulation (programming), validation, testing and documentation in the development stage.

AOS 2 – Analysis and Design. In this area of study, students prepare for the development of a software solution that meets a student-identified problem, need or opportunity. This is the first part of the School-assessed Task, involving analysis and design, with the second part undertaken in Unit 4, Area of Study 1.

Students are expected to independently identify a problem, need or opportunity for developing a software solution from within their community. They prepare a project plan that includes both student-determined and teacher-provided milestones in a Gantt chart that includes all stages of the problem-solving methodology

A range of methods are used to collect data for analysis. Analysis tools and techniques are used to depict the relationships between users, data and systems and to document the solution requirements, constraints and scope as part of a software requirements specification.

ASSESSMENT Programming Portfolio SAC, SAT 

UNIT 4 

AOS 1 -Development and Evaluation In this area of study, students develop the solution they designed in Unit 3, Area of Study 2 into a software solution that meets their identified problem, need or opportunity by applying the problem-solving stages of development and evaluation.

Appropriate features of an OOP language are used to develop an efficient and effective software solution. Validation, debugging and testing techniques are used to ensure the software solution meets requirements.

Students prepare a beta testing strategy that focuses on the core features of their software solution. The tests must be undertaken by at least two potential users, with the results recorded. Potential users could be other students acting as real users of the solution. Students recommend necessary adjustments to their solution based on the results of their beta tests.

AOS 2 – Cybersecurity: Secure development practices. The secure development of software is crucial within the modern technology and development landscape. Insecure software development environments are problematic for organisations that develop software, regardless of whether solution development occurs internally or is conducted by a secondary organisation. In this area of study, students focus on the security risks to organisations as a result of insecure software development environments and practices. Students analyse and evaluate the security of current software development practices, examine the vulnerabilities and risks using threat-modelling principles and consider the consequences of identified issues. Students should consider how these risks may be minimised or mitigated before recommending strategies to improve current practices, taking into account the key legal requirements and ethical issues faced by organisations. Frameworks such as the Essential Eight and the Information Security Manual are also taken into account for students to follow current industry practice when considering strategies for improvements.

ASSESSMENT SAT, Cybersecurity SAC 

Units 3-4 Data Analytics

VCE Applied Computing: Data Analytics is a portfolio subject that focuses on databases, an independent research project (SAT) and cybersecurity. 

UNIT 3 

AOS 1 – Data Analytics . In Area of Study 1, students respond to teacher-provided solution requirements and designs to develop data visualisations. They apply specific functions of database and spreadsheet software tools to manipulate, cleanse and analyse data. Students then use a data visualisation software tool to develop data visualisations that present their findings 

AOS 2 – Data Analytics: Analysis and Design (SAT). In Area of Study 2, students propose a research question, prepare a project plan, collect, analyse and prepare data, and design infographics and/or dynamic data visualisations. Area of Study 2 forms the first part of the School-assessed Task (SAT) that is completed in Unit 4, Area of Study 1. 

ASSESSMENT Databases, Spreadsheets and Data Visualisation SAC, SAT

UNIT 4 

AOS 1 – Data Analytics: Development and Evaluation (SAT) In this area of study, students develop the design they prepared in Unit 3, Area of Study 2 into infographics and/or dynamic data visualisations that address a research question by applying the problem-solving methodology stages of development and evaluation. 

AOS 2 – Cybersecurity: Data and Information Security.  In this area of study, students investigate emerging trends in cyber security and focus on data and information security and its importance to organisations. Students investigate security strategies used by an organisation to manage the collection, communication and security of data and information in its networked environment. They examine the threats to this data and information, and evaluate the methods an organisation uses to protect its data and information. Students consider the consequences for an organisation that fails to protect its data and information. 

ASSESSMENT Data Analytics: Development and Evaluation SAT, Cybersecurity SAC, Outcome Tasks