ICT
ICT Department
ICT is an increasingly important part of everyday life and at Thomas Bennett, all learners develop practical skills in its use, developing the ability to apply these skills across the curriculum. ICT plays a part in developing their skills of working independently and cooperatively and motivates and engages students.
The ICT department at Thomas Bennett has 5 dedicated computer rooms with Internet access and a wide range of software including Microsoft Office and AdobeCS3.
Key Stage 3
Students in Year 7 and 8 access ICT through the curriculum in each of their subjects. However, in Year 9, students have two hours of ICT a fortnight. They work on a range of topics designed to help them to apply their knowledge and develop an understanding of how ICT is used in everyday life. In addition to these skills, students also develop an understanding of how to plan and evaluate work, research the Internet safely and how to use feedback effectively. Homework is set on a regular basis and designed to help reinforce the learning of the lesson.
Moodle (the school Virtual Learning Environment) enables students to learn both in and out of school, accessing a range of resources and sending work for marking.
Key Stage 4
Students follow the OCR Nationals Level 2 course. This is a challenging yet attainable qualification which gives students hands on experience in a wide range of career linked skills. It is a nationally recognised qualification and students have the opportunity to work towards obtaining the ‘National Award’ which is the equivalent of 2 GCSEs.
In Year 10 students start studying for a GCSE in ICT and focus on three units:
Unit 1 – Skills for Business. This unit is compulsory and students work through a range of project based tasks. They use a range of software that would be encountered in an office situation.
Unit 4 – Producing a Multimedia Product. Students create a multimedia product on a topic of their choice, using a range of media. Planning and evaluation play an important part in this Unit, helping students to develop these skills and understand the importance they play in the process.
Unit 21 – Creating Computer Graphics. Students use Adobe Fireworks to create a range of ‘web furniture’, such as, a navigation bar. This introduces them to a widely recognised graphics software package and enables them to create graphics with a practical purpose.
In Year 11 students are able to complete work on their first GCSE and also have the opportunity to study for a second. They study two further units:
Unit 7 – Database Design and Use. This unit allows students to learn more about relational databases and how they are used in a business.
Unit 13 – IT systems and user needs. In this unit students develop their knowledge and understanding of the range of hardware and software available and use this understanding to analyse user needs and make recommendations about an IT system and the software required to meet those user needs.
Key Stage 5
ICT is a very popular choice for students returning to the 6th form. Students follow the Edexcel curriculum for Applied ICT which is a combination of coursework and examination.
Year 12
Students study for three units:
Unit 1 – The Information Age. Students learn about the information and communication technologies that enable people to access and exchange information and to carry out transactions anytime, anywhere. They will take a critical look at the impact that the Internet has had on the way people conduct their personal and professional lives, and explore different types of online services. They also investigate the opportunities new technology provides and look at the cause and effect of the digital divide. Students learn how to create a website which is then used to present their investigations.
Unit 2 – The Digital Economy. Students learn about transactional websites, the back office processes involved in making and handling an online transaction and will also set up and use a database to store and analyse data.
Unit 3 – The Knowledge Worker. In this unit students will learn how to use spreadsheet models to inform decisions using the knowledge available. This unit is externally assessed through a 2.5 hour examination completed on a computer. This will involve making and justifying a decision based on a given scenario.
Year 13
Unit 7 – Using Database Software. Students develop their knowledge or, and skills in using, databases. They will learn how to make full use of the facilities of the software to design, develop and test a database for a specific purpose. This unit is assessed externally through a 10 hour examination taken on a computer.
Unit 8 – Managing ICT Projects. This unit runs alongside Unit 10 and students learn how to use project management tools and methods to plan and monitor the project. They will also learn about the documentation needed, the involvement of other people in the project and the importance of an end-of-project review.
Unit 10. Using Multimedia Software. Students develop a multimedia product for a real client. They will design, develop and test and interactive multimedia products, consulting throughout this process with their client.
More detail on the content of KS5 ICT can be found by downloading this document: Download file
Homework ~ Students and Parents can access most of the ICT homework from our Moodle pages by following this link:
Teaching Staff
|
Ms J Hayward |
Subject Leader |
|
Ms P Dickenson |
General responsibilites in dept |
|
Ms M Hawley |
Coordinator of Gifted & Talented |
|
Ms R Khan |
KS5 Coordinator |
|
Mr M Roberts |
General responsibilities in dept |
|
Mr J McClure |
Accommodation / Resources
Thomas Bennett has fantastic ICT facilities: the department occupies six specialist ICT rooms {three on each floor}. Each of the teaching rooms is equipped with Interactive Whiteboard and Projector. The department has an office / resource base, and a very wide range of resources available for students.