Yes, you too can be a leader. And, if you act now, you can get your Diploma of Leadershippery for the low, low price of $2500.* Your Diploma comes with all this:
Meanwhile, Greg Ashman’s researchED mates are gouging people with their $60 thing, which probably doesn’t even include anything on managing a budget. The nerve of some people.
*) $3250, if you’re not MANSW royalty.
I apologise for the radio silence. There are some very annoying people demanding that I be Dr. Jeckyll these days, and it is keeping me very busy. There is some Mr. Hyde stuff bubbling in the background, however, and there are a few other posts that I really really want to do. I’m working to create space. And, with the VCE exams under control,* I’m ready for another windmill.
Continue reading “What Were the 2017-2021 NAPLAN Numeracy Errors?”
As with a bunch of these WitCHes, one dearly wishes that it were a PoSWW but it probably isn’t. In any case, there is more stupidity in this one than (hopefully) first meets the eye. It is a spin-off of a recent PoSWW, and is again a question from WA: 10(b) from the 2024 Mathematics Specialist “calculator assumed” exam, together with the marking key.
And, before we get going with the WitCH, a quick question. I understand that most Australian mathematicians take the University of Melbourne approach of not giving a stuff about school mathematics. Nonetheless, one has to ask: Is there even a single decent WA mathematician paying any attention whatsoever to what kids are being fed in their backyard?
This one was brought to our attention by frequent commenter, SRK. It is similar to the previous WitCH (and note this post), in that it is more properly a PoSWW but there may be some discussion (and there is some cloudiness in the grading). It is Q17(a) from 2025 General Mathematics Exam 2. The network above is introduced with some preamble about a gym hosting a competition, with activities at various stations; the edges of the network are the walkways between the stations. The students are then asked,
Here is the assessment guide and the report on the question (W,I)):
Yep, we’re just in time for the Super Bowl. (Go Seahawks, go Bad Bunny.)
This WitCH is an offshoot and instigator of our VCAA Grading Madnesses post. (And, please, you guys have to do some work.) It is more properly a PoSWW, but it may cause a little confusion or argument, so let’s go with “WitCH”. Continue reading “WitCH 151: an Intercept and a Fumble”
This one is probably proof of VCAA’s mendacity rather than their stupidity. Either way, it’s in the ballpark, so I’m throwing it in with the PoSWW.
Below, is an MCQ from last year’s SM Exam 2, together with the exam report‘s explanation (W,I).* For readers who may be puzzled, the question was discussed here.
Note that this MCQ is not an issue of grading nonsense (unless one argues that the question should have been invalidated). So, it does not take part in the previous, grading madnesses, post. (And you guys still have homework to do. Come on.)
It’s time for you guys to do some work.
I have decided that I am going to make my very best effort to kill VCAA’s error bar idiocy, as part of a general campaign to lessen VCAA’s grading idiocies. To this end, my first step is to present VCAA with a list of “You Are Out of Your Minds” 2025 grading idiocies, with the SM2 error bars idiocy top of the list. What I want from you guys is help in compiling this list. Continue reading “Identifying VCAA’s Marking Madnesses”
