IT
Y10 students using Audacity to manipulate sound files
Y10 at work
Information and Communication Technology is creative as well as functional. We aim to support and enhance the whole Curriculum emphasising, when appropriate, the place of the new technologies in our society. Teachers aim to teach in a meaningful context whilst providing opportunities for the students to use their skills creatively through the use of ICT.
As a subject team we aim to:
- Develop, maintain and stimulate students' curiosity, interest and enjoyment in ICT
- Ensure that all students have a broad and balanced ICT curriculum.
- Ensure that students have a programme that progresses from KS3 to KS5.
- Encourage students to develop an understanding of the wider applications and effects of ICT.
- Empower students to use ICT to manage their own learning
- Encourage students to solve problems through the use of ICT
- Encourage students to develop personal qualities such as politeness, perseverance, initiative, empathy, self confidence, independence and an ability to work effectively in a group.
With over 600 networked computers the College has good facilities to help the learning of all students. There are three dedicated rooms within the ICT suite with over 60 PCs plus a shared resource with the Business Studies department of a further 20 computers.
KEY STAGE THREE
Students have a 1 hour lesson of ICT per week. We expect students to become increasingly independent users of ICT tools and information sources. During this time opportunities for reviewing, modifying and evaluating work as it progresses are integrated throughout the units. The objectives are intended to help students challenge and raise expectations. Our own projects seek to allow students to learn skills and evidence their ICT capability in a series of "real-life", work-related contexts.
KEY STAGE FOUR
All Y10 students continue to have a 1 hour lesson of ICT per week. We endeavour to equip them with the skills they require to use ICT effectively in all areas of the curriculum through extended projects.
For those students who really enjoy ICT we offer, within the options framework, two courses:
GCSE Information Technology (single option)
The CiDA suite – Certificate in Digital Applications for IT Users, equivalent to two GCSEs (but completed within a single option). The CiDA course is offered at both Level 1 and Level 2 and in certain circumstances students will only take one of the two units thus creating an AiDA – an Award in Digital Applications.
KEY STAGE FIVE
Applied ICT: Edexcel A level
This course offers a broad introduction to a vocational area which should equip ALL students with the IT skills they will need for a range of Highter Eduation options as well as employment. It fits well with the traditional A levels in science and humanities, as well as those taking Applied A levels in Business and Health and Social Care.
The Applied GCE in ICT gives students a wide choice of progression options into further study, training, or relevant employment. Students who successfully complete the qualification will be well equipped to move on to degree courses and BTEC Higher National Diplomas in related subjects such as ICT, Computer Science, Information Systems, Multimedia, Software Engineering, Computer Networking, e-Business and Information Management.
Free, Yes Free ,Software
Many of the software packages we use in College are freely available from the Internet. Follow the links below to download your own copies
Office Suite (including graphics and multimedia presentation software)
Gimp (bit like PhotoShop but free!!) For Windows
Downloads (Shareware, freeware etc)
Paint.net photo editing package
Free stop frame animation software (you will need a web cam)
Microsoft Photo Story 3 (Create slide shows from digital photos - free software from Microsoft)
Pivot Animation Software
Alice - Animation Software