31 August 2010
First Impressions

19 August 2010
Top Notch Results for Top School

30 June 2010
All Ireland Sporting Heroes Celebrated

Please select a button below for more details on your choosen department.

Head of Department
Key Stage 3
GCSE
A Level
Links
Extra Curricular

Mrs C Hollywood

Students in J1 receive a grounding in IT through their first year their scheme of work is designed to give them an understanding of Microsoft word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Powerpoint and the internet.

A high level of achievement through J1IT is key to success at Key Stage 3 Key Stage 3 - IT Accreditation Scheme at Key Stage 3 All pupils in the College participate in this CCEA scheme, this programme provides them with a range of ICT experiences, which reflect the main objectives of IT as set out in the Northern Ireland Curriculum.

ICT is offered as a Cross Curricular Theme with the main objectives being; . Learning about ICT - by developing the knowledge and skills required to use ICT effectively and to apply these in a range of contexts;

Learning through ICT - by developing the skills required to access and use information from a range of electronic sources, interpret it and apply it appropriately; Learning with ICT - by applying the skills in their own learning either at school, or at home.

Throughout this key stage pupils are provided with a range of experiences in a variety of contexts in Math's, English, Science, Geography and Technology to develop their knowledge, understanding of and skills in ICT.

They should be given opportunities to discuss and describe what they are doing when using ICT and are encouraged to use ICT to support their schoolwork.

The ICT strands covered in the subjects mentioned above are Information Handling, Communication, Modeling, Measurement and Control. At the end of this Key Stage pupils submit a portfolio of evidence for which they are awarded a level in each strand and an overall level for ICT. The portfolio is compiled from set tasks provided by CCEA covering each of the ICT strands.

The College has developed a number of assessment tasks of its own, which have been approved by CCEA for the purpose of this scheme.

What will you learn in GCSE ICT? This course is organised into 3 sections: i) Knowledge.

Understanding and Skills in using the major Software Packages: ·Using a Web Browser to visit web sites, search for required information, copy text graphics, sound and video from a web site for use in other packages.

Using Authoring Software (e.g. Dream Weaver) to create a web site. Using email (including attachments and address book) and conferencing to communicate electronically. ·Using a Word Processing package to produce reports that include text and graphics from a number of different sources (e.g. scanner, digital camera or a web site).

Using a Presentation package (e.g. PowerPoint) to produce multimedia presentations that include text, graphics, sound and video. ·Using a Graphics package (e.g. Photoshop) to create and manipulate images.

Using a Database package (e.g. Access) to create and process a file of records. ·Using a Spreadsheet package (e.g. Excel) to create and process a grid of mainly numeric data. ii) Understanding of ICT Systems used in Everyday Life ·The basic components of a typical PC for home or school use.

The basic steps in an information processing system. ·Digital Communication Systems (i.e. Networks and the Internet). ·Applications, i.e. how computers are used in the real world, ego banking, shopping, virtual reality etc. iii) The effects ICT has on Individuals. Organisations and Society

The impact of ICT on Education, Employment, Health & Safety, Home & Leisure, Privacy, and Crime. How is GCSE ICT assessed? This course is assessed through a combination of six coursework assignments and two examinations papers.

Coursework Assignments (60%) i) Producing a Multimedia Presentation (PowerPoint). ii) Producing a Booklet or Report (Word & Corel Draw). iii) Creating a Website (Dream Weaver). iv) Using the Internet (Internet Explorer & Outlook Express). v) Creating and Processing a Database (Access). vi) Creating a Spreadsheet (Excel). Examinations (40%) Two papers 1.5 hours and 1 hour, each worth 20%. What qualities and skills are required for GCSE ICT?

Students opting for GCSE ICT should have a good interest in the subject and be willing to work hard. Where will GCSE ICT take you? ·Computers are being used more and more in everyday life, therefore the basic skills learned in GCSE ICT will be of value to all students in whatever career they choose.

The skills learned in GCSE ICT should help students in their other GCSE subjects, ego some of the ICT assignments could be based on work carried out in other GCSE subjects. ·ICT is now an integral part of many university courses, ego Mathematics, Engineering (particularly, Electronic engineering), Business Studies, and Accountancy. GCSE

ICT can be thought of as the first step to a career in Computing, ego Programming, Systems Analysis, Electronic Engineering etc. and a first step to studying ICT at a higher level (e.g. A level ICT).

GCSE ICT provides full exemption for the ICT Key Skill at levels 1 and 2 and the work produced in the assignments could form a part of ICT key skill at level 3.

A-Level in Applied ICT

Overview

The Applied ICT A-Level aims to encourage candidates to develop broad skills, knowledge and understanding of the ICT sector. They are to prepare candidates for further study or training.

The aims of the current AS specification in Applied ICT are to encourage candidates to:

develop a broad range of ICT skills and knowledge of the uses of ICT in vocational contexts, as a basis for progression into further learning in ICT-related fields, including progression from AS to A2;
develop knowledge and understanding of the components, functions and applications of information systems within a range of organisations;
develop an understanding of the main principles of solving problems using ICT and develop the skills necessary to apply this understanding;

The aims of the current A2 specification in Applied ICT are to encourage candidates to:

apply their knowledge and understanding of ICT and use skills (e.g. planning, research, evaluation, problem solving) in vocational contexts;
develop an understanding of the impact of information systems on organisations’ personnel, policies and practices;
develop project management skills and an understanding of the need to work with others;

Structure

Each year of the course consists of 3 units of equal weighting with the 3 AS units giving an AS grade and all 6 (AS+A2) giving a full A-level Grade.

AS Applied ICT

Unit

Title

Assessment Method

1

Using ICT to communicate

Internally moderated portfolio

2

How organisation use ICT

External Assessment

3

ICT solutions for individuals and society

Internally moderated portfolio

AS unit 1 – Using ICT to communicate

You will:

understand the characteristics and significance of different types of information;
understand the different methods for communicating information and the technologies that support them;
create original communications in styles that suit the users;
improve the accuracy, readability and presentational quality of communications you create;
understand some of the ways organisations present information and why they use standard layouts for documents;
choose and apply standard layouts;
understand the need for standard ways of working;
develop good practice in your use of ICT.

AS Unit 2 – How Organisations use ICT

You will:

understand how organisations are structured;
understand how organisations use and exchange information;
evaluate how well ICT can and does help organisations;
consider how ICT supports many different activities in organisations;
see how ICT offers new opportunities.

AS Unit 3 – ICT solutions for individuals and society

You will use methods to include:

the selection and efficient use of research engines to find information required;
an explanation of the impact of the availability of electronic information on individuals and society;
information accessed from large websites;
the use of databases to find required information;
the use of spreadsheet software to analyse numeric data and present results;
different types of data combined to present the results of the investigation;
an evaluation of the methods used to find information and present the results.

A2 Applied ICT

Unit

Title

Assessment Method

9

Working to a brief

External Assessment

11

Interactive multimedia products

Internally moderated portfolio

14

Developing and creating websites

Internally moderated portfolio

A2 Unit 9 – Working to a brief

You will produce:

a preparatory report into current working practice;
a project plan in response to the set brief;
a diary or log of work completed;
support materials for use with the project;
a summative report on the project including user feedback.

A2 Unit 11 – Interactive multimedia products

This unit helps you to:

be critical of commercially-produced interactive multimedia products;
appreciate what is involved in the design and creation of interactive multimedia products.

In this unit you need to:

research into interactive multimedia products;
produce elements of interactive multimedia products;
design and build an interactive multimedia product to meet a client’s requirements;
review your interactive multimedia product for its effectiveness in meeting the clients’ requirements.

AS Unit 14 – Developing and creating websites

This unit helps you to understand:

the requirements for setting up a website;
terminology relating to the Internet;
the differences in the range of web programming languages available for developing web pages and components within them;
the differences between Internet and intranet sites, and the network security implications of running web servers.

A-Level ICT (Academic)

The AS and A2 GCE Advanced level specifications should encourage students to:

become discerning users of ICT;
develop a broad range of ICT skills, knowledge and understanding of ICT.
This should form a basis for progression into further learning, including progression from AS to A2 and/or employment.
develop the capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically;
develop the skills to work collaboratively;
develop the ability to apply skills, knowledge and understanding of ICT in a range of contexts to solve problems;
develop an understanding of the consequences of using ICT on individuals, organisations and society and of social, legal, ethical and other considerations on the use of ICT;
develop an awareness of emerging technologies and an appreciation of the potential impact these may have on individuals, organisations and society.

Unit

Assessment

Weighting

AS 1:

Components of ICT

2 hour external examination paper

50% of AS

25% of A Level

AS 2:

Developing ICT Solutions

Internal Assessment of 2 compulsory tasks

50% of AS

25% of A Level

A2 1:

Information Systems

2 hour external examination paper

50% of A2

25% of A Level

A2 2:

Approaches to Systems

Development

Internal Assessment of a project

50% of A2

25% of A Level

Unit AS 1: Components of ICT

Topics include:

Data, Information and Knowledge
Hardware and Software Components
Network Communications
Applications of ICT
Developing ICT Applications

Unit AS 2: Developing ICT Solutions

This unit consists of 2 practical tasks

A Data Processing Task (60 marks).
A Multimedia Task (60 marks).

Unit A2 1: Information Systems

Topics include:

Database Systems
Networked Systems
Software Development
The User Interface
User Support and Training
Legal and professional Issues
Implications of Information Systems

Unit A2 2: Approaches to Systems Development

This is a practical unit (coursework) in which pupils will be expected to complete a detailed project through solving a real-life and substantial ICT problem.