Internal Assessment

Internal Assessment

Introduction

• Please click here for a checklist to help you stay organized.
• Please Click here to see the IA assessment crtieria
• Your solution must be formatted precisely. Click this link for a compressed folder with the templates.
• The record of tasks is here

Exemplars

• Click here for a good example of criterion A and B

This page will help you organize and understand the internal assessment for the IB. Although there are two different parts of internal assessment (the solution and the group 4 project), this page focuses on the solution. Almost all the content on this page is directly used from the IB computer science guide .

Internal assessment is an integral part of the course and is compulsory for both SL and HL students. It enables students to demonstrate the application of their skills and knowledge, and to pursue their personal interests, without the time limitations and other constraints that are associated with written examinations. The internal assessment should, as far as possible, be woven into normal classroom teaching and not be a separate activity conducted after a course has been taught.

The internal assessment requirements at SL and at HL are the same. However, these requirements contribute to a different percentage of the overall mark. Students are required to produce a solution that consists of a cover page, the product and the documentation. The focus of the solution is on providing either an original product or additional functionality to an existing product for a client.

The internal assessment component (solution), as well as being practical and productive, forms an important part of the assessment of the computer science course. It is imperative, therefore, that the teacher provides appropriate guidance to students.

Frequently asked questions

Please click this link for a google shared document with frequently asked questions

The Solution

The requirement of the internal assessment is to develop a solution for a specified client to a specified problem or an unanswered question.

Example of previous IA topics

• Interactive fiction creator
• Personal budget tool
• A web-based program that finds the best price for a food item in Warsaw. Limit food choices to 25 items.
• A web-based program to manage exercise goals, exercise targets
• a web based php text-based game
• A locally-installed python script that perfroms network analysis tool that helps users clearly understand what might be wrong with a network connection application snooper (little snitch)
• Arranging meeting time with counselors using google calendar API
• A web-based program to automatically creates brackets for clubs and team events
• A web-based program that makes scheduling free time with a teacher easier.
• A google chrome extension that tracks how much time is wasted by a user
• A web-based program to help students understand what school they might be accepted to with their GPA
• A game to help users who are using assistive technologies event management system, time, type

How will I be marked?

This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course. You will be marked on each of the following criteria:

1. Planning
2. Solution overview
3. Development
4. Functionality and extensibility of product
5. Evaluation

• Please click here for a checklist to help you stay organized.
• Please Click here to see the IA assessment crtieria

Key terms

• The term “solution” refers to all the work submitted by the student for the internal assessment; the term “product” refers to the completed software only. The product is a subset of the solution.
• The terms “developer” and “student” are synonymous.
• The term “client” refers to the person for whom the product is being developed. The student may also be the client.
• The term “adviser” refers to a third party the student must identify to assist him or her in the development of the product.

3 scenarios in developing a product

1. The student is developing the product for a third party who is the client and also acts as the adviser.
2. The student is developing the product for a third party who is the client. Another person acts as the adviser.
3. The student is the client (developing the product for himself or herself). An appropriate adult must act as the adviser.

Requirements of the solution

• a cover page that follows the prescribed format
• a product
• supporting documentation (word limit 2,000 words)

Word count

Bullet list of success criteria is not included in overall word count. However, if bullet list contains an extended writing, then that text will be included in word count.

Prove or make clear by reasoning or evidence, illustrating with examples or practical application.

a group or system of interconnected people or things.

Provide an answer from a number of possibilities. Recognize and state briefly a distinguishing fact or feature.

Give a sequence of brief answers with no explanation.