Page 44 - 2020 CXC Annual Report

CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2020

World Class Exams – Syllabus Development

Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE )
®

NEWLY DEVELOPED SYLLABUS • The rapid, ubiquitous development and evolution of
Artificial Intelligence which has resulted in its deployment
BIOTECHNOLOGY in a variety of areas and has had a substantial financial
A Panel meeting was held in August 2020. The Panellists influence on the essential functions of all industries. Areas
reviewed and finalised all General Objectives, and Specific such as retail, autonomous vehicles, manufacturing,
Objectives in an effort to clarify them. The content for some finance, customer service, sports, health, law, architecture,
Specific Objectives were updated to ensure that the breadth entertainment, education, space, military activities
and depth to which the knowledge and skills in each Module among others have experienced increased productivity,
should be covered was clear. The Suggested Teaching and and achieved higher efficiencies through the use of AI
Learning Activities were also reviewed and finalised for all enabled assistance. It will change the landscape of the
Modules of the syllabus. The activities were designed to help workforce, social life and life in general. Tools based on
teachers cater to the different learning styles. The Resources AI and ground-breaking innovations have emerged over
were updated for all the Modules. The Specimen Paper, keys the last decade. For software developers and tools and
and mark scheme were also developed. frameworks are being developed that enable the rapid
and straightforward use of AI technology within their
The final draft of the syllabus, along with specimen examination code.
papers, keys and mark schemes, were submitted to SUBSEC in
November 2020 for approval. The syllabus was approved. The There has been exponential growth in careers in the field
approved syllabus and copies of the specimen examination of Artificial Intelligence, including software analysts and
papers, keys and mark schemes will be released to schools for developers, computer scientists and computer engineers,
teaching in September 2021, for first examination in May–June algorithm specialists, mechanical engineers, maintenance
2022. technicians, manufacturing and electrical engineers, surgical
technicians working with robotic tools, research scientists and
SYLLABUSES UNDER DEVELOPMENT engineering consultants, medical health professionals working
with artificial limbs, hearing aids and vision restoration devices,
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE graphic art designers, and digital musicians among others.
At its meeting held in April 2020, SUBSEC received the
Concept Paper for the Development of the CAPE® Artificial The extensive growth in this field of technology requires that
Intelligence Syllabus. The proposal to develop the syllabus is we are guided by the principles espoused by the proponents of
informed by considerations such as: the Social Reconstruction Relevance perceptions of curriculum
• The exponential growth in the use of digital technology development. These principles promote the development of
which is one of the biggest factors shaping the future of a curriculum which responds to divergent emerging societal
work and is a necessary ingredient for development, to needs. Such a curriculum will expose learners to the requisite
add value and build economies. Artificial Intelligence (AI) knowledge, skills and abilities to creatively and innovatively
is also a critical element in this fourth industrial revolution respond to the changing societal demands in their roles as
and over the past decade it has become one of the most reformers and transformers (Eisner and Valance, 1974).
notable fields of computer science.

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