Head of Department: Mr T Banner
The Team: Mr R Love, Mrs P Maslen (KS3 ICT Co-ordinator), Mr A McQueen
Ethos
Our Department aims to develop the ICT capability of students through a range of discrete KS3, KS4 and KS5 ICT courses. Additionally the ICT department will advise other departments in the development of a range of cross-curricular experiences at KS3.
We aim to develop differentiated courses supported by a range of resources with the main medium being multimedia. Students’ access to course materials will extend outside the ICT rooms, to other classrooms and to the learning resource centre.
Key Developments
To embed new Schemes of Work and change examination board at GCSE and then introduce the full course at GCSE.
- To introduce AS ICT at Weston Favell, so students now have the opportunity to study discrete ICT at all key stages.
- To improve Teacher Assessed level 5+ at KS3 and at A* to C grades in GCSE.To be achieved through the use of effective teaching and learning strategies, assessment and target setting techniques and extra curricular activities.
- To work with and advise other departments in the development of a range of cross-curricular schemes to enhance ICT use and capability across KS3.
Curriculum Summary
The department offers a range of discrete courses at KS3, KS4 and KS5. (ref: Curriculum - booklets explained)
Year 8
Organisation of Classes - Two lessons per week.
Course Content
Throughout the year the students will cover 5 different units, each one will concentrate on the student’s ability to use a particular piece of software often in a business related context. In their first unit students collate data from a variety of sources to develop a daily information service about weather. They use a range of sources, such as, satellite (remote sensing) and the internet. A key aim of the unit is to develop a system that will meet the potential audience’s needs.
In the next unit students learn how to design and build an interactive web page on a subject of their choice. They learn how to control on-screen events and the flow of information accessed through a web page. They consider a range of audiences, and how one site can serve a range of needs.
In their third unit, students are taught to consider the usefulness, provenance, reliability, status and bias of information that they collect and use. They use the internet to gather the information, collate it and present it from a particular viewpoint. The audience is used to evaluate how successfully the students have presented their arguments to support their viewpoint.
Students finally work as a team to set up, organise and run a fundraising event that must make a profit (this is the constraint). They use a wide range of ICT to solve the problems associated with planning such an event. This provides them with the opportunity to develop further their expertise in the use of spreadsheets and databases, together with word-processing, presentation and desktop publishing software, vector and bitmap-based graphics software and e-mail.
Mode Of Delivery
Students will be taught the appropriate ICT skills as they tackle each unit. The unit will be delivered using a ‘real life’ scenario to re-enforce the daily importance of ICT in today’s society. In particular, how they might use their skills in the real world or how they might be used in other subject areas.
Assessment
Each unit will be assessed by their teacher who will award a NC level at the end of each unit. As part of the schools commitment to AFL, students will be expected to evaluate their own work and refine it accordingly to achieve their MAGs and TAGs. Students will be expected to ‘track’ their own progress for each unit using a unit booklet and an online assessment package that will give instant feedback and suggestions for improvement. This is in addition to their teacher’s ongoing assessment. (ref:Curriculum - booklets explained Year 8)
KS4 ICT
We presently offer three courses to our students at KS4
All the students at KS4 are entered onto the short course in GCSE offered by OCR, as might be expected at a Technology college that puts great stock in the importance of ICT as a skill for life.
ICT Full course, also with OCR, is offered as an option for those students that wish to study the subject to a greater depth.
Full Course
Assessment: 60% coursework, 40% written exam
Coursework: Two minor projects worth and one major project where they have to design and build an ICT solution for a business.
Exam: Offers great flexibility, similar to the short course students can be entered for the higher or foundation tier depending on their ability.
This GCSE helps prepare candidates for a world increasingly dominated by the use of ICT systems, which influence every aspect of everyday life. Studying ICT will help provide the analytical, communication and technical skills that are needed by active participants in this exciting and dynamic world. The course will provide an essential foundation for any further courses including those specific to the use of computers and new technology such as AS or Advanced GCE, vocational and occupational courses.
Course Content
- Computer systems, communication technology and information management
- Practical skills and understanding relating to the use of ICT applications
- ICT applications, systems, networks and computer technology
- Problem solving using ICT
Short Course is very similar in all ways. Only two pieces of coursework are attempted and is not as rigorous in its expectations of the students ICT capability.
A level ICT: OCR Information and Communications Technology
The course is divided into TWO parts
Advanced Subsidiary (AS) - 50%of total work
A2 - 50%of total work
The 4-Course Units
Year 1 - AS (H117)
Year 2 - A2 (H517))
Module G061
Information, Systems and Applications
Written exam - 2 hour exam
Module G062
Structured Practical ICT Tasks
Coursework (usually 4 separate tasks)
A2
Module G064
ICT Project
Coursework
(1 substantial project to develop a solution for a recognised problem with identified end user(s))
Module G063
ICT systems, Applications and Implications
Written exam - 2 hour exam
News and information
ICT clubs take place on both the JH site and WF Main site. Mrs Maslen runs the ICT club at JH during the lunchtime and after school on a Monday to Wednesday.
Mrs Maslen runs CC4G (Computer Club for Girls) on the JH site. Mr Banner and Mr Love concentrate on providing ICT facilities for the students of the main site.
ICT club, homework and coursework catch-up sessions are offered after school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings form 3pm till 4.30pm.
In the near future, the dept will be offering ‘touch typing’ classes that will be open to all students after school on the days described above. This will be a real benefit to students of all abilities who wish to improve their word processing skills.
The Dept is planning to offer educational trips for the students that opt for the Full GCSE and that opt for the A level in ICT. This will be an educational visit to Disneyland Paris to see the use of ICT throughout the park, from its use in controlling the rides to how it is used in the restaurant and hotel booking system.
The dept is involved in providing Master classes to the schools that are part of our local community. The latest class of students were designing websites using Macromedia dream weaver. These students rose to the challenge and produced some excellent work.
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