We were alerted to this one by Simon the Likeable. It is a question from the QCAA 2025 Mathematical Methods Paper 2, together with the marking guide. (It may more properly be a PoSWW, but every time someone throws one of these stats questions at me, my brain tries to flee my body and so I can never properly judge.)
Tag: exams
PoSWW 60: The Fundamental Delirium of Calculus
As flagged in a recent post, Western Australia’s SCSA is undertaking a review of and public consultation on the syllabi for two of their senior mathematics courses: Mathematics Methods and Mathematics Applications. The draft syllabi, prepared by a “working party” of unknown but we-can-take-a-very-good-guess constitution, are available here. Continue reading “PoSWW 60: The Fundamental Delirium of Calculus”
WA Wants to Know What You Think
Nah, I’m kidding, of course. WA couldn’t care less what you think. WA has provided you the opportunity to say what you think, however, and you should take it. Enough of this, and WA will have no choice but to care.
VCAA Are Still Being Idiot Dicks
Believe it or not, I have been trying to get along with Boss Smith. I really have. I am still open-minded to, albeit skeptical of, the possibility that Boss Smith may instigate some proper and desperately needed reform. The CAS programming thing was a positive step; even if it was obvious and way late and way too little, it was a positive step, and a step that was inconceivable just a few years ago. But it is really hard to get along with the Boss, it is really difficult to remain open-minded, when the cretins involved within and/or involved with VCAA, the cretins for whom Smith is ultimately responsible, keep doing the same cretinous things. Continue reading “VCAA Are Still Being Idiot Dicks”
Boss Smith’s Sermon on the Mount
The Age‘s Schools Summit is today, and VCAA’s Andrew Smith has one of the keynotes. Smith’s title:
How a well-designed curriculum can contribute to developing well-rounded individuals who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to society and the workforce.
And, um, which “well-designed curriculum” might that be, Andrew? ACARA’s K-10 masterpiece? Or, are you referring to your own VCE gem? Continue reading “Boss Smith’s Sermon on the Mount”
The 2026 NHT Exam Discussion Post
It’s NHT, and I don’t care.
It’s NHT, and I don’t care.
It’s NHT, and I don’t caaaaare,
But, others might, so here you go. Continue reading “The 2026 NHT Exam Discussion Post”
VCAA Does Something Very Right
VCAA has just announced that,
[VCAA] require custom functionality – including User Defined Functions (UDFs) – on Computer Algebra System (CAS) calculators to be restricted during VCE Mathematics examinations from 2027.
The full statement is here, and is transcribed below.
This is, needless to say, very good news. Yes, there are churlish responses that come to mind, but let’s leave it as the good news it is. Continue reading “VCAA Does Something Very Right”
Lying, Thinking of England, Command Terms, Sketchy Logic and VCAA’s Accountability
This post is a mulligan stew. I’m still crazy-busy, making it very difficult to find any peace or writing rhythm to tackle the posts that I’m keener to do. There have also been a few “maybe” news stories to write about, and some follow-up slaps to hand to VCAA, but nothing sufficiently compelling to make the time. So, I’ve decided to just throw a few leftovers together in a pot and call it a post. Then, I’ll look to get to the larger posts, quietly stewing on back burners. (As it is, the AMSI-MAV clown show and Geoff Masters being a nitwit, again, will just have to be left on the shelf.) Continue reading “Lying, Thinking of England, Command Terms, Sketchy Logic and VCAA’s Accountability”
Arithmetic, CAS and the Dangers of Obsession
Over the summer, my family and I took a holiday, driving around Tasmania. It was great, of course, albeit the ferry over was a bad mistake.1 Our first stop was Stanley, a gorgeous, windswept town, featuring a mini Ayers Rock, and penguins that could be viewed unobscured by an MCG-sized stadium or a crazed horde of fellow tourists. Also in Stanley, as it happened, I found a book. Continue reading “Arithmetic, CAS and the Dangers of Obsession”
VCAA Wants to Know What You Think About CAS
UPDATE (25/03/25)
Alex Blanksby, the Vic Maths Notes guy, has posted a thorough and well-written and (too) even-handed summary of the CAS debacle.
UPDATE (26/03/25)
As noted by Simon, the list of survey questions is different, depending upon whether you indicate you are a teacher, student or whatever: non-(teachers and students) get to respond to almost nothing, and are launched straight to Q21. Additionally, the survey is submitted without warning for teachers (clicking “Next” after Q15) and students (clicking “Next” after Q20).
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Well, more or less. VCAA is kind of sort of asking for teachers’ opinions on the insane UDF CAS arms race. Continue reading “VCAA Wants to Know What You Think About CAS”