Information and Communications Technology

All students are taught the basics of using computers in ICT lessons in Years 7 to 8 in specialist ICT rooms. Students also experience and use ICT across the curriculum. The school has a rolling programme of improvements to computer equipment as resources become available. So, increasingly, students will be using the latest hardware and software. ICT is taught in half groups.

Teachers

• Mr M. Churney
• Ms D. Landau
• Rabbi M. Amar

KS3: Years 7 & 8

Year 7

Students in Years 7 and 8 have ICT lessons once a week for a full year in which they complete units which have been designed to cover the programmes of study for Key Stage 3.

Unit 1 - Using ICT

• Plan and design the presentation of information in digital media, taking account of the purpose of the presentation and intended audience.
• Selecting and organising content for a presentation
• Selecting and using appropriate images
• Selecting and using appropriate fonts and colours
• Selecting and using appropriate sounds
• Modifying the style of a presentation for a different audience
• Modifying the content of a presentation for a different audience.

Unit 2: Using data and information sources

• Matching information to purpose
• Selecting sources and finding relevant information
• Assessing the reliability of information.

Unit 3: Making a leaflet

• Designing a leaflet
• Corporate image
• Creating a logo
• Using and manipulating images for a specific purpose.

Unit 4: Introduction to modelling and presenting numeric data

• Using a spreadsheet
• Modelling using a spreadsheet
• Using a spreadsheet to build a model
• Refining and developing a model
• Ways of presenting information from a spreadsheet.

Unit 5: Data Handling

• Evaluating and interrogating an existing data set
• Presenting information in different formats to test hypotheses
• Designing a questionnaire to collect data
• Creating a questionnaire
• Entering, checking and testing data
• Drawing conclusions and selecting data to support them.

Unit 6: Making thing happen

• Understanding control in everyday life
• Using flowchart symbols and writing instructions
• Using a sensor as a switch in a control model
• Creating and testing control models
• Creating an efficient system to monitor an event.

Year 8

Unit 1 - Using ICT

• Revising datalogging, sensors and data representation
• Using and displaying live data
• Planning and creating a simple public information system
• Automating processes in a simple information system
• Meeting the needs of the user.

Unit 2: - Publishing on the Web

• Introduction to text mark-up language HTML
• Comparing methods of producing web pages
• Planning the website structure
• Introducing web page creation, structure and appearance
• Designing and creating web pages.

Unit 3: Information: reliability, validity and bias

• Criteria for evaluating information
• Using searches
• Extending and refining search methods.

Unit 4: Modelling and presenting numeric data

• Developing a new model using spreadsheets
• Using graphs to model with spreadsheets
• Investigating models
• Simulations and models.

Unit 5: An ICT system: Integrating applications to find solutions

• Feasibility study for a system
• Modelling finances
• Developing the financial model.

Unit 6: Data Handling Project

• Understanding databases
• Using access to create a database
• Creating tables, forms and reports
• Using simple and complex queries.

KS4: Years 9-11

Students with a continuing interest in developing their IT skills may opt to take the ICT enrichment course or ICT GCSE.

Year 9 ICT enrichment course: ICT skills for life

The course is designed to promote initiative and independent learning, with pupils being able to make informed judgements about when and where to use ICT to best effect, and to consider its implications both now and in the future. Pupils use ICT tools to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information responsibly, creatively and with discrimination.

The course aims to:

• Develop the learner's knowledge and understanding of application in the Information and Communication Technology
• Develop the learner's skills, knowledge and understanding in contexts that will directly support all studies at Key Stage 4
• Develop the learner's ability to work autonomously and effectively and apply skills in a variety of applications
• Enable pupils to develop knowledge and understanding in a variety of applications including Web tools, desktop and databases.

• Awareness of ICT and its social implications
• Using the internet
• Word Processing/Desktop Publishing
• E-mail
• Spreadsheets
• Digital imaging.

Years 9-11 ICT GCSE

Hasmonean follows AQA's new specification for GCSE Information and Communication Technology. This brings the subject right up to date with resources that have been designed to engage all students. The emphasis is on the development of transferable skills, such as thinking creatively, logically and critically and, in particular, to problem solving and collaborative working skills.

Assessment

Written Paper - 40% of total marks

1½ hours short and extended answer questions

Section A: very short and multiple choice answer questions

Section B: short and extended answer questions

Section C: 1 essay question from a choice of two.

Coursework 1 - AQA-set Assignment 20% of total marks

Students work individually to solve a problem and present a portfolio of evidence.

Coursework 2 - Project 40% of total marks

Students are required to submit a report on the solution to a problem that demonstrates their ICT capabilities.

Details of the four sections making up the new GCSE ICT specification are provided below.

Section 3.1: Current and emerging technologies and their impact on individuals, organisations and society

• Types of hardware
• Software
• Personal and commercial computer systems
• Mobile technologies
• Using computer systems
• Identify ICT problems and solve errors.

• Input devices (common and specialist)
• Advantages and disadvantages of different types of input devices
• Output devices (common and specialist)
• Advantages and disadvantages of different types of output device.

• Advantages and disadvantages of using communications networks
• Communication devices and media
• Network devices
• Entertainment systems
• Reliability of information
• Impact of communications technology.

Section 3.2: A range of ICT tools and techniques and the ways in which they are used in different contexts to develop ideas and solve problems

• The systems life cycle.

• Information and data
• Finding, selecting and using information
• Quality of information and/or data
• Data collection/capture methods
• Reviewing and modifying work
• Presenting information in ways that are fit for purpose and audience
• Sharing and exchanging information electronically
• Evaluate the effectiveness of ICT tools to meet needs.

• Operating Systems
• User interface
• File/folder organisation.

• Use of applications software
• Generic features of software.

• Specific features of and differences between a word processor and DTP
• A word processor and DTP
• Use features of different software packages to organise and present information
• Presentation software
• Web design software
• Software for Audio, DVD and Video players
• Podcast.

• Specific features of graphics manipulation software.

• Types of data (common to spreadsheets and databases)
• Specific features of a spreadsheet
• Formulae and functions
• Modelling.

• Data structures
• Collect/enter data to a database
• Specific features of a database
• Everyday tasks for databases
• Data redundancy
• Outputs
• Mail merging.

• Web browser and search engine
• E-mail.

• Web logs
• Social networking software.

• Data logging
• Controlling devices
• Control-feedback loop.

Section 3.3: Legal, social, economic, ethical and environmental implications of the use of ICT for individuals, organisations and society

• Data Protection Act
• Computer Misuse Act
• Copyright law
• Health and Safety issues at work.

• Changing pattern of commerce and industry due to increased use of ICT
• Changing pattern of employment due to increased use of ICT
• Acceptable ICT use
• Responsible behaviour online
• Social and personal effects of ICT
• Accessibility
• Sustainability and re-cycling.

• Political and ethical issues
• Using ICT to monitor and minimise the
• effects on the environment
• Impact of ICT on different peoples.

Section 3.4: Collaborative working

• Collaboration
• Collaborative working processes
• Video/teleconferencing
• Collaborative situations and software
• Sharing information and online safety
• Advantages and disadvantages of collaborative home working.

Years 10-11 (ICT GCSE)

• To enable students to choose, use and design information and communication systems to carry out a range of tasks and to solve problems, making effective use of appropriate principles and techniques.
• To provide students with a broad and balanced experience of the range of information and communication systems and their applications and an understanding of their capabilities and limitations.

The GCSE is assessed by coursework (60% of the total marks) and by written examination (40%). The coursework consists of an assignment set by the Board (30%) and a project (30%). For the assignment, students will be given a description of a situation where the appropriate use of Information and Communication Technology will solve some problems and they will have to design, implement, test and evaluate their solution. For the project, students will choose their own problem to solve using ICT. The examination covers tools, techniques and systems and information systems in society.

• Information systems in terms of inputs, storage, processing, outputs and feedback and how data flows through a system in these terms
• Systems flowchart and how data flows through a system
• The difference between information and data.

• Input peripherals
• Output peripherals
• Storage devices and media.

• The role of operating systems
• Types of operating systems.

• Transfer of data files
• Standard file formats.

• Command, menu and graphical interfaces
• Advantages and disadvantages of these types of interface
• design considerations in developing a user interface for a particular purpose.

• The function of applications software within the system
• Types of applications software.

• Customised to suit the particular needs of users.

• Advantages and disadvantages of use of networks
• Advantages and disadvantages of use of electronic mail.