ICT


ICT

“I think it's fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we've ever created. They're tools of communication, they're tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user.”

Bill Gates

ICT Department

Here at Manor College we believe that ICT should be not only accessible by everyone but should be fun, safe and engaging, giving students the knowledge and skills they need to become ICT Savvy young people. ICT is a part of our daily lives and because of this the ICT Department is committed to making ICT innovative and enjoyable learning experience for everyone involved.

The Facilities

The ICT Department is spread over two floors, with 5 specialist ICT suites comprising of 30 PC’s and laptops. Each room is also equipped with interactive whiteboards and projectors facilities as well black and colour printers. A recent addition to all ICT rooms is full sets of headphones with built in Microphones to support and enhance the learning experience of our students.

The Curriculum

KS3

During Year 7, 8 the provision for ICT is two 50 minute lessons per week. At Year 9 the provision is one 50 minute lesson per week. Within KS3 we have developed a project-based curriculum based on the key strands of the ICT National Strategy. Students complete themed projects based around the four main skill areas which are Modelling, Data Handling, Sequencing and Communication.

These themed projects give students the chance to use a variety of software, not just the Office applications, but also allow students to experience job roles they wouldn’t ordinarily get to do i.e. criminal investigator, cartoon animator, radio DJ, designer, music concert organiser and many more.

Year 7 Curriculum Plan

Please click to view the Year 7 Curriculum Plan.

During Year 7 there will be a discrete ICT Homework set, this homework is based on E-Safety, a topic looked at in their first term at Manor. There are two versions of the homework issued in ICT, one is aimed at our lower ability students and has some extra helps and tips, the other is aimed at our higher ability pupils.

This Homework will be launched in assembly W/C 16th November 2011 as well as e-mailed out to pupils. Below are some links to documents which will help pupils to complete the homework as well as the homework itself.

Year 7 – E-Safety Homework (Standard)

Year 7 – E-Safety Homework (Differentiated)

Year 7 – E-Safety Homework Help Powerpoint

Year 8 Curriculum Plan

Please click to view the Year 8 Curriculum Plan.

Year 9 Curriculum Plan

Please click to view the Year 9 Curriculum Plan.

KS4

Year 10 and 11 – Edexcel GCSE ICT 2010

Year 10 and 11 currently follow the Edexcel GCSE 2010 course which is a single award course which runs over 2 years. The course is structured into two forms of assessment the first being an external assessed exam which is worth 40% of the qualification and the second being an internally assessed controlled assessment which is worth 60% of the overall qualification.

Unit 1 - Exam

Unit 1 is all about living in a digital world – it is theory based and covers a wide variety of technologies that students use or already know about such as:

• Social Networking sites
• The internet
• Mobile Phones
• Sat Nav’s
• Online Shopping etc

It is assessed by a 90 minute exam at the end of the course. The questions are based on real life scenarios; to help with focus the exam paper contains lots of images and diagrams on the paper to make it a little more interesting.
All the questions contained in the paper are a mix of multiple choice, short answer questions and open ended questions.

June 2011 – Exam Paper

Unit 2

Unit 2 is all about using digital tools – it is a Controlled Assessment Unit which is based around a fixed scenario given by the exam board, this scenario changes every two years to keep up-to-date with the changes in Technology.

• The coursework is split into 4 activities you must complete based on the scenario.
• All course work tasks and support materials are available on an interactive student friendly website and are submitted digitally.
• Students will produce things like digital posters, models, invitations, e-cards, storyboards, fact files etc. as the emphasis is on doing and not writing.

Year 10 News:

GCSE ICT Year 10 Pupils are to start Activity 1 of their controlled assessment w/c 14th November 2011 – all pupils have been given a pack and have been working in lessons to prepare for this. Pupils need to make sure that they are completing their out of lesson research so that they do not waste the next 12 hours they have to complete the work in exam conditions.

This is an exam, and the work produced goes toward s 60% of their final grade. The topic of the controlled assessment is “Get Up, Get Moving” – pupils are required to design and create a number of digital products for an event,
they must document their work, provide evidence of research and improvements.

There are drop in sessions at lunch times and after school where they can get help outside of the controlled assessment form an ICT member of staff, which pupils should be accessing if they are stuck on anything!

Year 11 News:

There are a number of pupils who are sitting or re-sitting their Unit 1 exam in January, each pupil has been provided with a revision pack including all past exam papers and mark schemes, their past performance if it is a resit as well as topic revision materials.

Unit 1 re-sit Exam is on Friday 13th January 2012 - AM

This pack along with a letter was issued on Guidance Day – pupils need to make sure they are revising hard. Revision sessions will be starting soon and information will be sent out to those pupils involved as well as posted on here!

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Manor College of Technolocy