Year 7 & 8

The Information and Communication Technology course at King Arthhur's should be regarded as a single entity in that students will be given the opportunity to develop their capability in using a range of ICT facilities. We aim to build upon the experience of our primary partners and to extend the students where possible.

 

Work in year7 & 8 will follow a unified theme and typical activities will include word processing and desktop publishing, research using a range of sources, using control systems, data handling using databases and other ICT sources, and modelling using simulations and spreadsheets. In addition to practical skills, which students will be encouraged to apply in other curriculum areas, we look at the place of new technology in our lives and society. We are introducing Handling Graphics, sound and video technology into the course at appropriate points.

 

Planning and evaluation of work is very important in the projects and students will be expected to carry out research and do preparation tasks in their own time. Theoretical knowledge about computers and their effective use is as important as practical skills. Many skills and concepts will be ‘revisited’ throughout the course and students will constantly extend them. The course expects students to work independantly and in groups.

 

The school is always looking to develop ICT capability and will be developing the programme of study to take account of the new education developments.

 

 

Year 9

The Year 9 course continues and extends earlier work. Students are increasingly encouraged to use computer systems independently. Students will use both new and familiar software to complete a wide range of tasks: these may include personal tasks and, for students who reach the highest levels, the creation of systems and facilities for others to use. With future work in mind students will be expected to develop their research selection and organisational skills even further. In view of this, integrated projects using a range of applications rather than focussing on one, play a major part in the Year 9 course.

 

The year will start with a project using a wide range of skills and knowledge. This will be provided by the intial unit of the OCR national qualification in ICT.

 

Consideration of the validity of sources of information and acknowledgement of sources are very important in year 9.

 

Students are expected to take greater responsibility for the completion and evaluation of these tasks : they will select the most suitable software, plan carefully, set targets and meet deadlines. As before there is a balance between practical skills and understanding; work outside of lesson time becomes even more important.

 

All students are encouraged to make effective use of ICT in all subject areas. Work produced at home is welcome, but students must ensure that our strict guidelines are adhered to.