ridiculous Terminology in GCSE IT

Gundog48

Gundog48

Gundog48

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I am currently doing GCSE IT and am finding how picky they are about using the correct terminology extremely annoying. To be honest, I probably know way more about IT than the IT teacher, and probably the person who will mark the exam, but knowledge is worthless, it seems to be all about regurgitating information in exactly the right order. This one really gets me:

Define a peripheral:
A piece of hardware that connects to the computer (incorrect)
A piece of hardware that connects to the processor (correct)

I'm sorry but that makes me cringe every time I hear it. I suppose peripherals connect to the hardware indirectly, but surely using the term computer or motherboard is a much more apt name. And the whole course if full of ridiculous things like that.

I think this further reinforces my belief that studying GCSEs are not about learning, but about being able to cough up what has been drilled into you in the right order. I could go in there now, I can build systems, I review PC hardware on my own website I created and run myself, I can do basic coding in C++ and HTML and I would fail straight away.

It really does annoy me, because by the end of the course my friends will be able to textbook-ly repeat phrases perfectly, but when it comes to real world situations they will be pretty clueless.

[/RANT]
 
Gundog48 said:
I am currently doing GCSE IT and am finding how picky they are about using the correct terminology extremely annoying. To be honest, I probably know way more about IT than the IT teacher, and probably the person who will mark the exam, but knowledge is worthless, it seems to be all about regurgitating information in exactly the right order. This one really gets me:

Define a peripheral:
A piece of hardware that connects to the computer (incorrect)
A piece of hardware that connects to the processor (correct)

I'm sorry but that makes me cringe every time I hear it. I suppose peripherals connect to the hardware indirectly, but surely using the term computer or motherboard is a much more apt name. And the whole course if full of ridiculous things like that.

I think this further reinforces my belief that studying GCSEs are not about learning, but about being able to cough up what has been drilled into you in the right order. I could go in there now, I can build systems, I review PC hardware on my own website I created and run myself, I can do basic coding in C++ and HTML and I would fail straight away.

It really does annoy me, because by the end of the course my friends will be able to textbook-ly repeat phrases perfectly, but when it comes to real world situations they will be pretty clueless.

[/RANT]
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Know the feeling I'm going through it atm.
 
You're wrong I'm afraid. "Computer" is a horribly vague and inaccurate term that can refer to all sorts of things. In computing, a peripheral is indeed something that is connected to the processor via some form of bus.

Motherboards are also irrelevant - you can go down to very low level with integrated chips, where there is no motherboard per se, but you can still have peripherals.

You'll come to realise that most learning is just about demonstrating an ability to learn. With the exception of some basics laid down in some university courses, most industries build up the knowledge of their graduates/apprentices from the ground up.

Welcome to the real world my friend :).
 
I understand that being technical it does connect to the processor. But in reality, we would all say connecting it to the computer or whatever device we are talking about. I just find it ridiculous that they focus so strongly on catching you out on your terminology rather than your actual knowledge of IT.
 
Gundog48 said:
I understand that being technical it does connect to the processor. But in reality, we would all say connecting it to the computer or whatever device we are talking about. I just find it ridiculous that they focus so strongly on catching you out on your terminology rather than your actual knowledge of IT.
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?? It's not terminology. It's horribly imprecise. Learning about a subject means you are required to demonstrate knowledge above Joe Average.
 
I remember IT classes around the time I was studying for my GSCE's. We would all gather around the IT teachers computer and he would show us how to use MS Publisher :rolleyes:
 
Makhaira said:
?? It's not terminology. It's horribly imprecise. Learning about a subject means you are required to demonstrate knowledge above Joe Average.
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Exactly. They aren't trying to catch you out. Examiners try their best to make exams easier for you. At the end of the day what you gave was a wrong answer. It's not terminology it's understanding and the answer you gave didn't show any.
 
It's just badly worded, the terminology is out of the 70s/80s. Your focus is just a bit narrow - a computer doesn't have to be a gaming rig as sold by OcUK, it can be controlling your washing machine.

It's a GCSE in IT, not a wintel course.
 
What I'm saying is, in a real world situation there would be no real difference between saying, "it connects into the computer/device" or "it plugs into the processor". Instead I think it would be more useful to learn the fundamentals on how a computer works rather than being so precise on terminology. This is why I don't think GCSE IT results reflect the person's knowledge of computers or how they work. Surely if you know fully the components of a system, exactly how they work, have a knowledge of PCB based electronics, can code and run programs and use software like databases then why should precise terminology stop you obtaining a certificate.

Fundamentally, and in real world situations, they mean the same thing. In technical terms the answer is clearly wrong, but in the big picture, coughing up phrases won't give you knowledge in computers but will give you an excellent grade.
 
MagicBoy said:
It's just badly worded, the terminology is out of the 70s/80s. Your focus is just a bit narrow - a computer doesn't have to be a gaming rig as sold by OcUK, it can be controlling your washing machine.

It's a GCSE in IT, not a wintel course.
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I understand that. And I do electronics where we do build systems for that kind of thing. I think you're right though, I think I just find it frustrating that my knowledge of PC hardware really counts for nothing when it comes to the exam.
 
I've no idea what's on the syllabus nowadays. I skipped GCSE Computing as I think it was called then because it looked "Mickey Mouse".

Then again we had BBC Micro's and the internet pretty much didn't exist. 2400bps modems and Prestel were as close as you got.
 
It's the same in A-Level Computing to be fair. It is not trying to 'catch you out' (though admittedly, there are times when you feel that's the case. Like we were marked down when one the questions stated 'What kind of topology is this network?' Naturally, loads of us said 'Bus', but didn't get the mark, because the word 'Topology' was required, despite being in the question...)

The term Computer is horrendously vague, and can mean basically anything that processes data.

IE: "A programmable machine that receives, stores and manipulates data, and provides useful output".

I would also argue that knowing what hardware is best for a users' requirements, or provides the best value for money, is more an opinion, and not really hardware knowledge as such. Knowing how a CPU works is hardware knowledge. That's what Computing is for as a subject though.
 
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Doing the exact same thing as you, 2nd year of GCSE ICT, and we've spent months making a powerpoint presentation...........On legoland, and 6 months making a spreadsheet for a shops manager etc.

Imho GCSE ICT is a joke and many of my friends who dont take could easily pass it.....
 
Yh its pretty crap. I did applied IT...don't remember learning a single thing about hardware and such.

I learnt more in a few hours of looking on the internet.
 
The problem is the qualification. We all know that your right, and the question is simply out there to catch you out. Ultimately it holds now weight whatsoever. It's almost as if the examiner is out there to try and catch you out.

In a real world situation you would prevail my friend :)
 
Clarkson said:
Yh its pretty crap. I did applied IT...don't remember learning a single thing about hardware and such.

I learnt more in a few hours of looking on the internet.
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There's no point teaching you about "hardware and such" as whatever they add to the syllabus will already be out of date.

If you want to learn about the inner workings of hardware then look into Electronics or Electrical Engineering.
 
There's a difference between learning about the components of a computer and some level of how they work together, as opposed to looking at resistors etc which will be the electronics you refer to.

Nobody is going to teach about which is the latest graphics card obviously..
 
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