Coursework Guidelines for CIT (S4-5)

1. Introduction to the Coursework

The HKCE Examination for CIT includes 2 written papers and 1 Coursework paper, as
listed in the following tables:

Paper 1: Core Module

Section Question Question Options in Time % of Lesson
Type Quantity Answering Allowed Marks Hours
A Multiple 40 Answer all 2 Hours 60% 80
Choice Questions
B *Short To be Answer all
Questions Assigned Questions

* Possibly a few groups of questions based on real-life scenarios or cases may be given, each
group may take about 15 minutes to complete.

Paper 2: Elective Module (Either A, B, C or D of the Elective Modules)

Question Question Options in Time % of Lesson
Type Quantity Answering Allowed Marks Hours
Long Questions 4 Answer all 1 Hour 20% 30
Questions

Paper 3: Coursework (Must be in the same Elective Module as Paper 2)

Assessment Topic Anticipated % of Lesson
Method Options Student Working Marks Hours
Hours
Continuous Choose 1 Topic out of 3, More than 10 Hours 20% 10
Assessment complete a Product and a
Report

Each student must attempt Paper 2 and Paper 3 for the same Elective Module, to be
chosen among the following 4:
Elective Module (A): Algorithm and Programming
Elective Module (B): Organization of Computer
Elective Module (C): Data Communications and Networking
Elective Module (D): Multimedia Production and Web Authoring

The HKEAA will give three optional Coursework topics for each Elective Module.
Students must pick one topic out of the three to complete the Coursework.

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A Reference Timeline for the Coursework

Time Content
F3 Year / F4 Year Confirm to study CIT in F4 & F5 with your school
September
F4 Year, October Confirm your Elective Module with the HKEAA via your school.
F4 Year, May HKEAA will give 3 topics for each Elective Module. Your teachers
will guide you to pick 1 topic for the Coursework.
F4 Year, May – * Receive 10 hours of guidance from teachers and complete a Product
F5 Year, December and Report for the Coursework.
F5 Year, January Turn in the Product and Report to your teacher.
* Students are expected to spend 10 hours on getting advice and guidance from teachers, and
they should prepare to spend no less than 30 hours to complete a sole effort Coursework.

Language for the Coursework

Students must use consistently one single language (Chinese or English) in answering
all three Papers for CIT. The Product and Report of the Coursework must be in that
same language.

The Coursework “Product” & “Report”

1. The Coursework Product:

Elective Module Likely Nature of Form Factor of
Module Name Coursework Product Deliverables
A Algorithm and An executable Executable Software
Programming computer application program. on Computer Media &
Printed Document in
A4 Size.
B Organization of A Solution description paper Printed Document in
Computer with blue print and feasibility A4 Size.
evidence for a required
computer system.
C Data A Solution description paper Printed Document in
Communications with blue print and feasibility A4 Size.
and Networking evidence for a required LAN
system.
D Multimedia An executable multimedia Multimedia Files on
Production and production (e.g. a web site, an Computer Media &
Web Authoring interactive multimedia Printed Document in
presentation, etc.) A4 Size.
* (Detailed requirement may vary from Module to Module and among different topics
of the same Module. Please refer to update information from HKEAA)

The Product could be a computer application program, a multimedia presentation,

or a comprehensive set of document describing a Solution (a computer system or a

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 computer network in the CIT context) for a specified set of requirement.
The Product should, whenever appropriate, be accompanied by a “User Manual”
specifying the usage procedures and the technical usage environment.

2. The Coursework Report:

A printed document in A4 size.
The Report should record the work done in each phase of the Coursework together
with the respective rationale. It should be a structured document reflecting the
structured tasks completed in the Coursework. (For a sample structure please refer
to the paragraphs on “A Coursework Framework” and “Basic Process of the
Coursework” in the latter part of this document.).
The Report should also contain acknowledgement to sources of information and
evidence for permissions to use other people’s intellectual property, if such use are
deemed appropriate.

2. Sample Coursework Topics:

The following is a list of possible Coursework topics for each Elective Module:

Elective Module (A): Algorithm and Programming

Coursework Topic
A Simple Multiple Choice Quiz
Program
Brief description of assignment
Develop a computer program that could administer a
multiple-choice quiz on a standalone PC.
The program should identify different players and keep
their respective scores.
The program should allow the input of new questions
and answers via a form.
The program should be able to display a combined
score sheet listing score of all players.

Elective Module (B): Organization of Computer

Coursework Topic
An Audio/Visual Editing
Computer for the Social Work
Club
Brief description of assignment
Set up a PC that can edit digital audio and video for the
Social Work Club.
The PC should be within the financial ability of the
Club to purchase and maintain.
The PC should produce audio and video materials for
the Club’s social service activities as well as internal
functions.
The total management of the PC as well as the A/V
resource involved must be taken into consideration

Elective Module (C): Data Communications and Networking

Coursework Topic Brief description of assignment
A Cyber-corner LAN System for Set up a LAN system in an old people’s home to

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 an Elderly Home service the 80 occupants.
The system should be within the financial ability of the
elderly home.
The system is expected to provide stimulating
recreational activities for old people who are not
familiar with computers, and may have slight handicap
in eyesight or hearing.
The system should not cause safety concerns nor create
management problems for the elderly home.

Elective Module (D): Multimedia Production and Web Authoring

Coursework Topic
A Web Site for the Art Club
Brief description of assignment
Develop a simple web site for the Art Club0
The site should allow Art Club members to display a
wide variety of files containing their work.
The site should allow viewers to give feedback to
creators of the artwork.
The site should help the Club recruit new members.
The site should not create a lot of maintenance
workload for club members.

3. A Coursework Framework

Stating the Investigation & Design of the

Assignment Analysis of the Solution
Objective Problem

Conclusion & Testing & Implementation

Discussion Evaluation of the Solution

Creativity Documentation
Appraisal of the Solution

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Basic Process of the Coursework

1. Stating the Assignment Objective (10%)

Describe the problem and the situation in which it must be solved
Produce clear, accurate and reasonable description of the problem.
Clearly define sub-problems and illustrate the links between them, use
diagrams as much as possible.

Describe the requirements of the Solution users

Identify and explain the requirements of intended users.

2. Investigations and Analysis of the Problem (10%)

Search for information about the problem using libraries, periodicals, the
Internet and other sources. Record the source of information used.

List different ways to solve the problem

Compare the different alternatives using a decision making chart and
explain your choice.
Explain clearly the strength and weakness of each alternative.

Identify the most effective and creative way to solve the problem.

List justifications for choice of IT tools

Compare the different IT tools using a decision making chart and explain
your choice.
Explain clearly the strength and weakness of each tool, including
learning curve assessment.
Justify the choice of IT tools using appropriate terminology.

3. Design of the Solution (the Coursework Product) (10%)

Give an overview of the designed Solution
Produce a concise yet appropriately comprehensive description of the
Solution.
Identify the relationship between all different parts of the Solution, use a
diagram as much as possible.

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 Give detailed descriptions of the design, including user interface and file
formats
Justify the design with supporting theory using calculations and formula.

4. Implementation of the Solution - the Coursework Product (25%)

Identify the most effective and creative way to implement the Solution
Gather and list resource required to implement the Solution
Explain why the gathered resources are required and how they are to be
used.
Explain your criteria for assessing good resource from not so good ones.

Collect & capture data, input data

Explain why you believe the data collected is good.
Explain why the data is reliable.
Explain your choice of input procedure, why you believe it is appropriate.

Verify and validate data

Explain why you use a certain method to verify and validate, give its
merits and drawbacks, and how you handle the drawbacks.

Create data and program structures

Create clear, effective and efficient data / information / program
structures.
Give your criteria as to what is clear, effective and efficient.
Show the most challenging part(s) of this implementation, and how you
try to come up with creative Solutions to meet the challenge.

Create output format

Create an output format that will illustrate clearly the merit of your
Solution.
The format should help to test if the implementation is bugged.

Create documentation for User Manual and Usage Environment Specification

Adopt a clear writing style and use appropriate terminology.
Use point form for easy reading among users.
Make effective use of illustrations and text; use diagrams, tables and
illustrations to demonstrate how the Solution has met the objectives, and

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 in what part of the process has your creativity played a useful role.
5. Testing and Evaluation (10%)
Define testing plan and test the Solution
Demonstrate a comprehensive methodology in testing and evaluation,
produce a clear testing plan.
Test the Solution with normal data as well as control data.
Log the test process clearly and accurately.
Provide print-outs for the test process.

Evaluate the effectiveness of the Solution

Evaluate the test results against expected outcome.

6. Conclusions and Discussion (10%)

Draw conclusions from the implemented process & discuss how effective is
the Solution
Compare test results with Solution design objective.
Is it appropriate to do a user survey? Present the results if available.
The conclusion should be accurate and concise.
Explain your conclusion by referring to observations on the
implementation process and the performance of the Solution.

Make suggestions for improvement and further development

Give clear reason why the Solution needs improvement, what has it
achieved and what has not been achieved?
Use your testing log to illustrate and support your improvement
suggestions.

7. Creativity Appraisal (15%)

Review and assess the level of creativity displayed in implementing the
Solution
Give evidence of your creativity in your documentation.

Creativity could be realized on more than one level:

Solution design creativity; unique designs in the workflow and the
system structure of the Solution, innovative ways to do things in a
particularly efficient or elegant way.

Implementation process creativity; innovative ways to implement and

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 realize your Solution workflow and system structure, so that Solution
effectiveness is optimized or the implementation simplified.

Presentation creativity; stimulating artistic design that helps your

Solution interact better with users, and aesthetic treatment that helps
people understand your documentation with the right emphasis.

Unique feel and elegant artistic style is not enough, the creative elements
should contribute to the optimization of the Solution or documentation.

Review and assess the level of creativity displayed in designing the Solution
Give evidence of your creativity in your documentation.

Produce captured screens, charts, tables, diagrams, templates, macros and

other means for users to use the Solution in a more effective and efficient way.

Adopt a good style in documentation and presentation, employ your artistic

talent in all areas.

Explain the process with which you try to come up with new ideas, like how
you research, how you use a mind map process, how you go through a brain
storming session with people.

8. Documentation of the Solution (10%)

Edit and polish the Report, the records on how you have worked on the
Product. These records should have been accumulated at each stage of your
work on the Product.
Adopt a clear and tidy format for your documents, let the main emphasis of
the content stand out and make the passages easy to read.
Again charts, diagrams, capture screens, etc should be used whenever
appropriate.
Use tables to explain your decisions whenever appropriate.
Acknowledge all sources of assistance.
If possible attach usage permissions from sources if intellectual properties had
been borrowed.

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Characteristics of the Coursework
1. You know the expected level of accomplishment very early on.
2. For different topics you may be asked to attempt different levels of
accomplishment.
3. You are expected to give best performance rather than just attaining lower
thresholds.
4. Your Coursework must be useful in a real-life situation, it must solve some
real-life problems.
5. One problem may have many Solutions.
6. You have to attempt challenging tasks that invite the use of a variety of skills;
these structured tasks demand that you understand your subject matter in a
comprehensive way, involving knowledge, skills and attitude.
7. You can conduct visits or surveys to help to find answers to your problem.
8. You can get continuous help from your teachers during the Coursework, teacher
will tell you your strength and weakness.
9. You can acquire other people’s opinion during the Coursework and use them to
improve your work.
10. You must address the learning process as well as the learning outcomes. Your
attitude and values will also be assessed.
11. Throughout the Coursework assessment will be made on your ability to implement
actual work, manage a process, learn new things, interact with other people and
present your ideas.
12. You can, and have to, be involved in evaluating your own work.

Difference between the Coursework and a Paper-and-Pencil Examination

The Coursework is a process for detecting learning achievement not easily detected by
conventional paper-and-pencil examinations. These include the successful acquisition
of values, attitudes, practical skills, learning abilities, growth in creativity,
inter-personal skills, process skills, aesthetic sense, career awareness, etc.

Different emphasis between conventional assessment and Coursework:

Paper-and-Pencil Examination
Understanding of concepts
Ability to apply concepts and skills
Problem solving, critical thinking,
communication skills
Appraisal of impact
Coursework
Understanding of concepts
Ability to apply concepts and skills
Problem solving, critical thinking,
communication skills
Self-learning capability
Appraisal of impact

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 Values and attitudes
(Source: S4-5Computer and Information Technology Curriculum – Final Draft (April 2003), CDC &
HKEAA, HKSAR)

Coursework Essentials
Other than a requirement of the HKCE Examination for CIT the Coursework is a very
good way to prepare you for more challenging task in your later studies or career
development. You would benefit from constantly revisiting a few essential points:

1. Overall plan; you should plan your Coursework in relation to your over all study
plan for CIT as a whole (and your CIT study plan should be made in relation to
your HKCEE study plan through out F4-F5). Identify areas in your Core &
Elective CIT Modules studies that will help your Coursework, and vice versa.
Study together with relevant Core Module element, increase interest and depth of
knowledge with regard to the subject matter.
Caution - don’t be over ambitious; keep the scope of your Coursework
within your ability to deliver, it should not take up so much time as to affect
your overall F4-F5 study plan.
Caution – don’t plunge into work without proper planning; plan with clear
objectives for each phase of the Coursework, set milestones and working
according to plan. This will help you detect problems and enable your to seek
help at the right time. It should also help you avoid having to do a lot at the last
moment.

2. Attitude and persistence; the Coursework takes at least four months (30+
intensive hours) to complete. You should be able to discover a lot of fun doing the
Coursework but you must remember that the assessment is not only on your final
product. Much emphasis is placed on your attitude towards persistent work, the
ability to learn and the ability to overcome difficulties and solve problems. Be
prepared to display your character strength as a person, in addition to your
technical skills and knowledge.
Caution – don’t be lazy; work consistently according to a schedule, seek help
early on if required. The Coursework Report should be done in a
phase-by-phase manner. It should not be done as a last minute effort in F5
when all your other subjects demand a lot of attention.

3. Work according to your strength and limitations; you may have equipped
yourself with particular strength in your previous studies, and you may already
have some ideas about your interest, your future study plan and your career
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 ambition. You may have certain equipment at home and your school may have
facilities that favour the study of certain knowledge. Choose an assignment that
matches your strength, your interest and your studying environment. That will
help you go through the slightly lengthy Coursework with much better ease.
Caution – don’t proceed with chaotic understanding of the subject matter;
insufficient understanding of the knowledge involved or an inability to
conceptualized that knowledge may lead to a failure to deliver the Solution.
This will be disastrous if very little time is left. Seek help form your teacher
early on to make sure your have clarified all the concepts involved.

4. Prepare yourself in special skills; learn any special skills that would benefit the
Coursework during spare time or during long holidays. Best to match your
personal interest and your longer term plans as well.

5. You must know the assessment criteria clearly; do not be distracted by your
own special interest or ambitions in the project, nor by other people’s feedback,
always be sure about the yardstick of attainment. Look out for updates.
Caution – don’t just care about the Product; if your Solution, your
Coursework Product, solves the problem you may expect to get good
assessment results. You may however encounter an unpleasant surprise if you
neglect the documentation, your Coursework Report. The Coursework
assessment process intends to assess the process, the way you work, as well as
the Product. It demands that you give ample records on how you worked and
why you have made the respective decisions in each phase of the Coursework.
Having a bad Report done at the last moment when you have a working
Product will be a great pity.

6. Overall documentation format; you may not have had much experience
producing a study paper in the format that the Coursework would require. Try to
learn the documentation format for the Coursework by studying the structure and
format of examples that would be provided by the HKEAA, your teachers,
textbook publishers and other sources. The will help you structure your technical
working plan as well as your writing plan, and will save you a lot of time.

7. Use Charts, Tables, Diagrams, Questionnaires & Capture Screens to record

the reasons for your decisions and illustrate your idea; much of the assessment
of your performance in the Coursework are based on documentation, much of that
documentation is about reasoning, choice, good and bad points of something

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 versus good and bad points of something else. Avoid long essays that people find
hard to understand, use decision tables, charts, diagrams and questionnaire
analysis that explain your decisions clearly and tidily. Special attention should be
made to study how these elements are being used in Coursework examples.

8. Perform self-evaluation from time to time; do not just focus on work details,
take a step back and assess what you have achieved from time to time. This will
help you achieve higher attainment, not only in an examination, but also for life.
Caution – don’t get stuck on a one track mind; remember that each problem
can be solved in many ways. Try to list alternate ways to achieve the same
result; and try to see if another result is also a valid answer to the problem. The
time when a valid answer emerges is the time to see if there are other
alternatives.
Caution – don’t get caught absent minded; allow time for consolidating you
work. Check for careless mistakes and polish your work.

9. Acquire appropriate feedback from time to time; get some objective opinion
and test your own judgement with the opinion of others from time to time. This
will improve your work as well as your own judgement.

Seeking Help from Your Teachers

Your teachers will not do your Coursework for you, but they are prepared to give you
support and guidance in your Coursework. The best way to get their help is to prepare
some preliminary answers of your own before seeking help from teachers.

They can give you a lot of help on:

1. Assessing the amount of knowledge, ability, and skills in your possession and help
you pick a topic that suits your ability the best. They can also tell you what skill or
knowledge to improve so as to perform better in the Coursework.
2. Getting a perspective of the Coursework in relation to your interest, your studying
plan, and your future career.
3. How to conceptualize and define your problem.
4. How to establish a set of criteria for success, with which you can define the scope
and boundary of work, so that the tasks remain manageable with regard to time
and resource available.
5. Keeping a continuous self-assessment on progress and performance.
6. Gathering resource required for your Coursework.
7. Setting up a research plan to discover possible solutions to your problem.

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8. Selecting the right technology tools for your Coursework.
9. Setting up a work schedule.
10. Setting up specifications for versions of your Product in each phase of its
development, with which you can measure your progress and seek timely
improvement.
11. Gathering evidence of your learning and compile documentation to display your
progress.
12. Making sure your progress is on track.
13. Polishing your documentation organization skill and language style.
14. Raising the level or your self-imposed challenge in the Coursework when progress
is favourable, so that you will reach a new level of personal achievement.
15. Assessing your own creativity.
16. How to make a final evaluation of your work on your own.

Notes:
* The above guidelines have drawn extensive reference from materials published by the
Curriculum Development Council and Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment
Authority on the S4-5 Computer and Information Technology Curriculum. As the
above institutions would update such information regularly students are advised to keep
a constant look out for new information from their teachers, the EMB and the HKEAA.
** Reference:
1. S4-5 Computer and Information Technology Curriculum, Final Draft (April 2003), Curriculum
Development Council and Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, HKSAR.
2. Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, Hong Kong Certificate of Education
Examination 2005, Computer and Information Technology Coursework (Paper 3) Assessment
Guidelines (Draft, 17 Jan., 2003).
3. Points given by members of EMB and HKEAA in their “Briefing seminar on the Computer and
Information Technology (S4-S5) Curriculum, April 2003.”

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