Information Technology in a Global Society subject report · November 2012

November 2012 extended essay reports Page 1 ITGS Overall grade boundaries Grade: E D C B A Mark range: 0 - 7 8 - 15 16 - 22 23 - 28 29 - 36 The range and suitability of the work submitted A wide range of appropriate research questions provided the basis for ITGS EE this session. Topics reflected the current uses of information technologies in scenarios including:  Impact of policies by particular companies (e.g. Facebook, Google)  Implications of online banking for customers  Smartphone addiction in South Korea  Effectiveness of Internet filtering in a specific school  Impact of a particular technolog y in a specific school (e.g. iPads, laptops or other mobile devices) Candidates must be reminded that even research questions that are focused on a particular situation and context (e.g. school) must be thoroughly researched using both secondary and primary resources. Too often school -based topics limit the scope of the investigation to the particular school setting. It is highly recommended that only students who are studying ITGS should submit an extended essay in the subject and that the supervisor is an ITGS teacher , or otherwise appropriately qualified, as highlighted in the EE guide. The submissions demonstrated that the students had an understanding of how to conduct secondary research and cite sources. The collection, presentation and analysis of primary research ( e.g. interviews, surveys, and investigations) is for the most part not addressed well. Superviso rs need to advise students on these processes. In a few instances photocopies of t he extended essay were submitted. Only original printed versions should be sent. Candidates can be disadvantaged when photocopies are sent because the print quality can be affected with regards to analysis of graphs and other visual material. The following identifies the new aspects of each criterion that has emerged. This report needs to be read along with the May 2012 ITGS Extended Essay report.