Students at AAESS use Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) as a tool to enrich and extend
their learning across the whole curriculum.
The main aim of the department is to attempt to give the
students as broad an understanding of ICT as possible and
provide a platform for them to transfer some of their skills
into other subject areas. Students learn to develop ICT skills
using spreadsheets, databases, word processing, desk top
publishing, web design, graphics, multimedia and simulation
tools.
There is one computer lab, with an interactive whiteboard, in
the primary building, and two in the secondary school. All
pupils have access to a wide range of software, including
Microsoft Office, OpenOffice and the newly purchased Adobe
Studio 8 and Photoshop. They are also able to access the
Internet and have their own email accounts.
We start teaching ICT at nursery level, and develop it through
the Key Stages, as detailed below:
KEY STAGE 1:
At this level students use interactive CD
Roms to develop mouse skills, colour pictures using the Fill
Tool and start learning to type. They then progress to use other
graphics tools (Brush, Spray tool, Stamps, Lines and Shapes) to
create pictures, and start learning to use a word processor.
KEY STAGE 2:
At this level, the above skills are further
developed and, in addition, students are introduced to
modelling: realising the difference between real and imaginary
life and how both can be presented on the computer. In years 5
and 6 they start to look at databases, email and the Internet.
Recently, we have been bringing Year 6 students into the
secondary school lab to introduce them early to the KS3 units
using Flash and Dreamweaver software.
KEY STAGE 3
During Key Stage 3 students will become increasingly independent
users of ICT tools and information sources. Following a scheme
of work based upon the KS3 National Strategy, students develop a
better understanding of how ICT can used in different contexts.
In Year 9, the Dfes units are extended to prepare students for
the DiDA (GCSE level) course: students start focusing on working
independently, and building up the skills they will need in Year
10.
KEY STAGE 4
Year 10: This year has seen the introduction of the Edexcel DiDA
programme. DiDA is the Diploma in Digital Applications, a
revolutionary suite of four paperless qualifications, each worth
one GCSE. The course is designed to stimulate students’
creativity and develop real-world, practical skills that will
motivate learning across a wide range of subjects.
Students work independently, planning and
executing a project incorporating skills ranging from
information gathering to analysis and presentation work. The
finished projects are submitted for assessment in the form of an
electronic portfolio, which the students create using
Dreamweaver – the industry standard Web Design software tool.
The ability to create e-portfolios is fast becoming a required
skill in industry, and at university level.
Year 11 are completing the Cambridge IGCSE in Information
Technology. which encourages students to further develop their
practical skills, gain an understanding of how a computer works,
investigate hardware and software considerations and develop an
awareness of the ethical, social and economic consequences of
computers for individuals, organisations and society as a whole.
6th FORM
Year 12 follow the Edexcel GCE Applied ICT.
This
is a new course, similar to the DiDA in its focus on building
e-portfolios and other real world skills. It is, of course, more
advanced in its content, and provides students with a firm
technological basis from which to enter university, where ICT is
used almost daily in every student’s studies.
Year 13 are currently completing an A level
in Computing. This qualification, however, is being discontinued
and next year students will carry on with the Applied ICT. The
units covered in Year 13 will cover more specialized areas, such
as website design and networking, and will be highly useful for
students wishing to study ICT or Computing at university.
CROSS-CURRICULAR
AAESS places a strong focus on ICT across
the curriculum. ICT specialist teachers liase with other subject
departments to develop ways of implementing ICT within the
different subject areas. Projects so far include:
·
Multimedia adverts on
globalization in Geography
·
Data modeling in Maths
·
Animated electric circuits
in Science
·
Interactive multimedia
quizzes in French
·
Animated poetry
presentations in English
·
Exploring perspectives
with Photoshop in Art
·
Websites presenting Y7
work in different subjects
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
The school is in the process of acquiring a
number of new PCs and some MIMIOs – interactive whiteboard
simulators – which will enhance the use of ICT throughout the
school.
We are also looking into purchase of
CAD/CAM software and hardware in order to introduce a Technology
element into the school curriculum.
LINKS
For more information about the ICT
curriculum, and the course mentioned, please follow the links
below:
Key Stage 3 Units
DiDA
GCE Applied ICT Microsite
The
British National Curriculum scheme of work for ICT programme of study for key
stage 3
- ICT for Key Stage 3
