Do you think schools should choose which modules you have to do?

[Jezza]

My school has decided to do Module 1, 2 and 6, but I want to do 1, 3 and 6 because I find Trigonometry to be one of my weaknesses in further whereas Liner Relations which is Module 3 is far easier for me personally.

Do you think schools choosing modules can be bad?

[s...]

My school has decided to do Module 1, 2 and 6, but I want to do 1, 3 and 6 because I find Trigonometry to be one of my weaknesses in further whereas Liner Relations which is Module 3 is far easier for me personally.

Do you think schools choosing modules can be bad?

Yeah, we're doing the same modules.
I wanted to do this too, but then had a rethink:
thing is, the/my school is be putting the most attention on these modules, and also SAC's and pop-quiz's would be on them too. If you have them perfected, there is nothing to worry about.

If you teacher is willing to teach you, then you are really lucky. If not, do as many mock exams and stuff like that on Module 3 as you can.

So, no in answer.

[paulsterio]

I didn't do Further, but in Physics, my school did Sound and I chose to do Photonics

Just did it in my own time really

[Stick]

Unless you fail a SAC on a module, I would not recommend learning a module under any circumstances:

1. Your teachers are obviously very competent at teaching the modules selected. If you deviate from this, your teacher might not be able to help you to the same degree.
2. You will still need to learn the module in class and sit tests and a SAC on it.
3. The time you spend learning another module can go towards perfecting the module you're unsure with.
4. The uncertainty you'll feel in the exam, knowing you're going against what your school is doing, will affect your performance.

Our school is doing modules 2, 3 and 4 (arguably the most difficult). I was considering learning Matrices instead of doing Business-related Maths, but the points above have prevented me from doing so.

[Jezza]

Unless you fail a SAC on a module, I would not recommend learning a module under any circumstances:

1. Your teachers are obviously very competent at teaching the modules selected. If you deviate from this, your teacher might not be able to help you to the same degree.
2. You will still need to learn the module in class and sit tests and a SAC on it.
3. The time you spend learning another module can go towards perfecting the module you're unsure with.
4. The uncertainty you'll feel in the exam, knowing you're going against what your school is doing, will affect your performance.

Our school is doing modules 2, 3 and 4 (arguably the most difficult). I was considering learning Matrices instead of doing Business-related Maths, but the points above have prevented me from doing so.

Very good points you make.

All I'm saying is that if I was to do Module 3 instead of Module 2 I could have an advantage. I'm still good at Trig but I've noticed in the past I've stuffed it up in exams.

I'll have to focus on it more than any other topic.

[s...]

Maybe...
have you done/ are you doing Methods by any chance?

[s...]

Awks.
Just looked at sig,

okay, you should be fine then.

[Stick]

Hence rule 4. I might do better with Matrices, but I'll feel so unsure of myself by deviating that I'll probably screw up big time. I don't know if you would feel the same sort of way, but I'm quite a nervous person and worrying about doing something different is the last thing I need to stress about.

[Jezza]

Hence rule 4. I might do better with Matrices, but I'll feel so unsure of myself by deviating that I'll probably screw up big time. I don't know if you would feel the same sort of way, but I'm quite a nervous person and worrying about doing something different is the last thing I need to stress about.

As a matter of fact I do get quite nervous and worry unnecessarily. My parents are always telling me to take a 'chill pill' and to just calm down and not to lose confidence over it so easily.

[Stick]

I'm exactly the same. I probably wouldn't recommend learning another module on your own - I've had nightmares screwing up the exam because I decided to do something else!

[paulsterio]

If you're having nightmares about exams, you're thinking about it way too much, you need a confidence booster.

In my opinion though, whether it's worth the time learning a new module or not, that's really up to the person. I did 30% more work in physics to cover 2 detailed studies, Sound and Photonics. My school did sound, I liked photonics, I ended up getting 28/30 for the Sound SAC and full marks for the photonics section on the exam, so it all worked out.

Stick, if you decide not to learn another module, you do know, if you come across a dodgy module or an extremely hard module on the exam, you're screwed compared to those who did other modules, better to be safe than sorry in my book

[Stick]

I have the upmost faith in my teacher. He's been brilliant so far. And I don't think VCAA would create a 'dodgy' module - I'm going to make sure I perfect the three modules that have been selected for me, rather than neglect them and learn something else. I'm also someone that wouldn't feel very confident in doing something different to everyone else.

Considering the experiences of cousins and friends who did learn more modules for Further Maths, I believe sticking and perfecting your three assigned modules is better. However, this is just my personal opinion and learning another module may work for others.

[paulsterio]

You don't think that VCAA would create a dodgy module? Well that's a tad optimistic. You do physics, so I guess you'll have to think about this sooner or later anyways, but now's a good time

Look at the 2011 Unit 3 Physics Examiner's Report. Scroll down to the Detailed Studies section and compare the marks for Further Electronics and for Materials and Structures. You see how much better the state did in Materials/Structures? Well I did Further Electronics, I perfected it, I did practice exams, I knew the course quite well, although I wouldn't say that I did badly on Further Electronics, I did a little worse than expected, the fact that it was harder took a lot of time away from the other sections of the exam, I had no time to check over my work for instance. I took almost 30 mins on Further Electronics when I expect to take around 15-20 mins.

I regretted it and I chose to do two detailed studies for the end of year exam.

Believe me, there's no such thing as perfection. VCAA are known to create dodgy and hard modules. Although you might have perfected that module, you're still disadvantaged. I'm not saying neglect your module and learn something else. I'm saying put quality into both. The fact that you know you have a safety net should give you confidence, rather than take it away.

I'm not trying to say what you're doing is wrong, so sorry if I sound a little rude, I just wanted to point out what happenned to me to try and help you, because I've been there, done that and yes, I once had your view too

[Stick]

I'm not sure if that can be classified as a 'dodgy' module. It might be a more difficult topic and maybe more brighter students happened to undertake the other module. Then again, it may be 'dodgy', but VCAA is not some petty organisation and their questions are tested throughout the year. I don't know though - you've been through this experience and I feel like I'm trying to be a know-it-all.

I still can learn another module on my own, but I know for a fact that my confidence would still be affected if I was forced to fill in another module on the exam, even if it was because there was a hard/'dodgy' module. I completely get your point of view here - it should make me feel better knowing I could still fill out another section if I found something too hard. But especially with the gut feeling I've got right now, as well as my awareness for a fragile mental state, my performance would be affected.

Please don't take me the wrong way. I really appreciate your personal experiences and advice, Paul, and I don't like the fact that I'm not agreeing with you, since I'm the type of person that likes to listen to the experienced. I guess I shall leave my options open, in case I find something difficult throughout the year. As I said, if I did poorly on a SAC, I know that would be a pretty fair indication that I'd need to learn another module for security. What I'm sort of saying is, if you're doing fine in all your tests and your SAC, I don't really see how you'd have a problem on the exam. My school is actually above average for this subject in VCE and the staff are amazing. I'm sure I'll be fine whatever happens.

[b^3]

Would like to add something coming from someone that has done further before. Further isn't like physics, all the modules are ok, you are very unlikely to get a dodgy module in further (unlike physics where it is basically guaranteed, VCE physics is pretty screwed up, but thats a story for another day). For further, besides the statistics core, the modules aren't too hard. They isn't much ambiguity in the way the questions can be answered. It's a maths after all, not a science subject.

The best thing to do is to stick to what you are most comfortable with, that is when you will perform better and won't be worrying about "I should have done that module, instead of this one" or vice-versa (this could be doing a different module or could be sticking to the same modules as your school). You may feel more confident sticking with the class or you may feel more confident doing something different, it depends on the person. Further is quiet an easy subject, the material isn't hard to learn, its just about getting it right on the day and minising stupid mistakes.

In conclusion do what you feel most confident and comfortable with, that is when you will do your best