ICT DEPARTMENT
Staff Members: Mr M Connolly (HOD), Mrs H Maxwell, Miss C Donaghy, Mr D Callan.
Aims:
The ICT department aims to ensure that students acquire the skills and knowledge they require for the digital society in which they live, work and learn and to promote creativity, enjoyment and interest when studying ICT. We want to encourage our students to continue their studies in the subject, build on their previous experience and to challenge them to achieve their full potential and achieve the best they possibly can.
Within the college we have lots of resources for our students to use and to aid their teaching and learning. We currently have 5 ICT suites and we also have computer clusters within a range of departments such as Art, H.E., Technology and Design, Music, Learning support and Science. We also have trolleys of iPads and laptops for use within subjects throughout the school. All classrooms within the college have Interactive LCD panels or Interactive whiteboards.
Using ICT is integrated within classroom experiences across all subject areas and is used by staff and pupils every day.
ICT
Key Stage 3
In Key stage 3 you all studets will have 1 period per week in year 8, 9 and 10. During these classes you will develop your knowledge and skills in the following areas:
- Internet Safety
- The online environment
- Office application software - Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher
- Game making
- Web design using HTML
- Working with moving image and sound
- App development
- Microbits
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 we offer CCEA GCSE Digital Technology (Multimedia). Please view the video below for further information.
This specification aims to encourage students to:
• become independent and discerning users of digital technology;
• acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of digital technology in a range of contexts;
• acquire creative and technical digital technology skills and apply these in a range of contexts;
• develop and evaluate digital technology based solutions to solve problems;
• develop their understanding of current and emerging technologies and the social and commercial impact of these technologies;
• develop their understanding of the legal, social, economic, ethical and environmental impact of digital technology;
• recognise potential risks when using digital technology and develop safe, secure and responsible practice; and • develop the skills needed to work collaboratively.
The course content is as follows:-
Module |
Assessment Format |
Duration |
Proportion of total GCSE |
Unit 1 (Year 11) |
Written Exam Paper in May |
1 hr |
30% |
Unit 2 (Year 12) |
Written Exam Paper in May |
1.5 hrs |
40% |
Unit 3 (Year 12) |
Controlled assessment |
36 hrs |
30% |
You will study the following unit in year 11.
Unit 1: Digital Technology
In this unit, students explore a range of digital technologies available for data storage, manipulation, presentation and transfer. They also evaluate the importance of data security and data legislation. This unit is assessed through a 1 hour written examination that includes both short and extended questions.
You will study the following units in year 12.
Unit 2: Digital Authoring Concepts •In this unit, students develop understanding of the concepts involved in the development of digital systems. This unit is assessed through a 1 hour 30 minute written examination that includes both short and extended questions.
Unit 3: Digital Authoring Practice
In this unit, students design, develop and test digital multimedia systems. They have 36 hours to complete the tasks. Students have the opportunity to become involved in a real-world situation provided by the exam board. They apply their skills, knowledge and understanding of digital technology to solve a problem for a specified client.
Key Stage 5
A level Digital Technology aims to encourage students to:
•develop a genuine interest in digital technology;
•gain an understanding of the systems development process;
•gain an awareness of a range of technologies and an appreciation of the potential impact these may have on individuals, organisations and society;
•participate in developing an application while adhering to the systems development process;
•develop an understanding of the consequences of using digital technology on individuals, organisations and society, and of social, legal, ethical and other considerations of using digital technology;
•apply their skills to relevant work-related scenarios;
•carry out research and development, and present their findings in different formats;
•develop advanced study skills that help them prepare for third level education; and
•demonstrate that they understand and can apply key concepts through internal and external assessments.
The course content:
You will study the following units in year 13
Unit AS 1: Approaches to Systems Development
Students develop knowledge and understanding of the various approaches to the development of complex systems, the key stages in the development process and the outputs produced at each stage. The content of this unit underpins the learning that will take place in each of the three subsequent units. This unit is assessed through a 1 hour 30 minute written examination that includes both short and extended questions.
Unit AS 2: Fundamentals of Digital Technology
Students develop knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of any system, such as data representation, computer architecture, software and the user interface. Along with Unit AS 1, the content of this unit will provide a foundation for progression to A2. This unit is assessed through a 1 hour 30 minute written examination that includes both short and extended questions.
You will study the following units in year 14
Unit A2 1: Information Systems
Students develop knowledge and understanding of information systems. It acts as an extension to Unit AS 2: Fundamentals of Digital Technology, for students progressing from AS level. This unit is assessed through a 2 hour 30 minute written examination that includes both short and extended questions.
Unit A2 2: Application Development (Case Study)
Students have the opportunity to become involved in a real-world situation detailed in a case study. They apply their skills, knowledge and understanding of digital technology to solve a problem for a specified client.
Assessments
Module |
Assessment Format |
Duration |
Proportion of total A-level |
AS1 |
Written Exam Paper in June |
1.5hrs |
20% |
AS2 |
Written Exam Paper in June |
1.5hrs |
20% |
A2-1 |
Written Exam Paper in June |
2.5 hrs |
40% |
A2-2 |
Case study |
60 hrs |
20% |
Lunch Time Clubs / After College Clubs
We run a lunchtime club for students to come along and have access to the facilities. We also run coursework / exam revision classes.
Extracurricular Activities / Trips
We provide opportunities for our students to become involved with outside agencies from the IT industry. We also provide extra curricular activities for our students during the school year working with IT companies in the college.