Computing and ICT
Why should students study your subject?
Students should study IT as it is a life skill. Students will learn how to write programs for their own games, internet safety awareness, digital literacy skills used in world of work, office software, numeracy skills, how a computer works and its components.
The department intends to offer an after-school club for 3D printing, using CAD software.
What skills does your subject teach?
Students will develop their understanding of the keyboard, logical thinking skills, design skills, time management, evaluation skills, team work and independent thinking, numeracy and literacy skills. They will also develop the knowledge needed for various office software.
Why is your subject useful for the world of work, or future employment? What kind of jobs could someone do using your subject? How can students take your subject further, eg at college, university, the world of work etc
IT is a skill needed in most jobs today. Almost every job will require the use of computers at various levels. The types of job roles would include: project management, administrator, team leader, architect, scheduler, accountancy, teaching, data input, etc. With an IT qualification, students could go on to study various computing and IT courses or Diplomas, or alternatively other courses such as Accountancy, Graphics, programming, games design, etc.
What is your overall curriculum intent?
IT at this school contributes to the whole school curriculum intent by developing pupil knowledge of the use of computers and technology in society and the workplace.
The overarching intent of our curriculum for IT is to:
Develop a better understanding of how technology is used by organisations to help them plan and make decisions.
Make learning, exploring and investigating the subject fun and enjoyable.
Give students an understanding of the laws associated with the use of computers and technology.
Encourage students to consider the ethical issues surrounding the use of technology.
Develop better planning and design skills in students so students can create systems that are suitable for audience and purpose.
Demonstrate how interfaces are designed to be inclusive of all, and how good design improves the lives of those with accessibility needs.
Make a significant contribution to the personal, social, cultural, intellectual and moral development of students.
Provide an environment which is purposeful and academic yet caring and supportive; where students are able to develop as individuals and to operate as members of a school community in which expectations are high.
Encourage students to take pride in and for everything they say, do and, in terms of work, produce and create.
To equip students with the IT skills needed in the world of work.
The IT department has defined some core first order concepts that we feel are essential to the development of knowledge and understanding. These are: the ability to use many different types of device and software; understanding that there are laws to protect individuals and data; understanding that all systems have been designed for a particular purpose and audience; understanding that technology is constantly advancing and improving lives of those with accessibility needs; understanding that there are advantages and disadvantages of using technology.
The Implementation of the IT Curriculum
We teach IT via a series of carefully sequenced units which are organised around enquiry questions and the requirements of the BTEC Tech Award in Digital Information Technology, and the development of the substantive and disciplinary knowledge of how technology is used in organisations.
End points for each unit, in terms of the knowledge we intend pupils to acquire, are clearly defined in the MTP and shared with pupils and parents/carers.
Throughout KS4 departmental planning will identify the key knowledge concepts to be learned by pupils, embedded in long term memory and to be checked by teachers during lessons and via more formal assessment.
How is your subject examined?
KS3 is assessed by formative assessment at the end of each unit of work and an exam at the end of each year.
The BTEC course is assessed by both internally assessed units of coursework and an external examination.
How can someone improve in your subject?
Students are encouraged to use BBC Bitesize, Teach-ICT.com, Kahoot.com, Pearson website, FBEC Tube for various videos. They should also refer to the Pearson Revision Guide for the externally assessed unit.
How can students find out more?
Students are encouraged to read around the subject, try the topics and competitions on STEM, also to try the competitions on Safer Internet Day. They could also join programming groups outside of school.