- Mr P McCann, BEd MSc (Subject Leader, Using ICT Coordinator)
- Mrs A Donnelly, BSc PGCE
- Mrs C Sexton, BSc PGCE
- Mr S Dunlop (Systems Manager)
Key Stage 3
Young people will use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills throughout their lives in commerce and industry, in science and research, in entertainment and leisure pursuits and it's a rapidly changing spectrum.
In Slemish College ICT forms a vital part of every student’s developing knowledge, understanding and experience. Students need a broad range of experiences that reflect real-world uses of technology therefore all students receive 1 fifty minute period of discrete ICT during a fortnight and 1 fifty minute period which is embedded into another subject area. The subjects that provide this additional period are:
- Mathematics – Year 8 (Scattergraph Investigation)
Students carry out data analysis, using information gained from a survey/questionnaire, to investigate if there are any relationships between the lengths of body parts. e.g. shoe size and height
- Spanish – Year 9 (Spanish Revision Website)
Students create a website using Frontpage based on their Spanish Course to complete an online revision guide, the website contains information from various topics, e.g. greeting, family and pet, school objects
- Geography – Year 10 (Radio Podcast)
Students create a Podcast (a digital recording) of a piece of written work based on a geographical topic where they imagine that they are a government science advisor who is trying to explain to an audience of radio listeners what either of the causes, effects or possible solutions to help reduce the impact of global warming.
Also each year in KS3 ICT, all students complete a course about online safety and the dangers of social media
In Year 11 students can follow one of two courses:
- GCSE: ICT (CCEA) OR
- Cambridge Nationals ICT (OCR) – Level 2 National Diploma (Double Award)
GCSE: ICT (CCEA)
Information and Communication Technology is concerned with the handling of information and involves creating, accessing, storing, organising, processing, presenting, communicating and transmitting information in a variety of electronic forms. The course covers 3 main areas:
- Unit 1: Tools and Applications
- Unit 2: Visual Technology Communication
- Unit 3: Understanding ICT systems in everyday life.
There are 5 main projects which contribute to 60% of the GCSE. All coursework elements will take place under controlled assessment conditions.
- Web design (including graphics and video editing)
- Games Technology
- Multimedia Presentation
- Numerical Modelling
Cambridge Nationals ICT (OCR) – Level 2 National Diploma (Double Award)
This course provides you with high quality, industry-relevant qualifications geared to the specific requirements of business. It will provide you with valuable opportunities to develop your ICT skills and gain underpinning knowledge and understanding which will support entry into work or progression to ICT study at A Level. It is a practical based course and will require a high degree of independence and motivation. You will gain understanding of the full suite of Macromedia and Microsoft Office suites. Throughout all units you will develop your creativity by creating unique graphics and multimedia elements. All elements of the course are delivered online.
Through interactive teaching and learning opportunities you will get access to a wide range of up to date hardware and software. There are 8 main units which contribute to 100% of the double award GCSE.
- 1 written paper (OCR set and marked) Mandatory Unit
- Using ICT to create business solutions (Coursework) Mandatory Unit Six units will then be chosen from the following
- Handling data using either spreadsheets/databases (Coursework)
- Creating an interactive product using multimedia (Coursework)
- Creating Digital images (Coursework)
- Creating dynamic products using sound and vision (Coursework)
- Introduction to Computer Programming (Coursework)
- Exploring computer hardware and networks(Coursework)
- Developing Control systems (Coursework)
- Understanding technology (Student Project)
OCR Applied ICT (Single Award)
The study of ICT provides an insight into the significance and relevance of computers, applications and communications in the work environment and everyday life. ICT is used in areas as diverse as manufacturing, education and medicine and ICT skills are valued in virtually all areas of business and society. The Applied ICT A level will allow students to select and use appropriate ICT tools and techniques to help them carry out investigations, capture and handle data, solve problems, make decisions, and present and communicate information. Students will gain practical experience in using hardware and software to prepare them for employability or further ICT related studies.
- 1: Using ICT to communicate
- 2: How organisations use ICT
- 3: ICT solutions for individuals and society
- 9: Working to a brief (Project Management)
- 10: Numerical modelling using spreadsheets
- 14: Developing and creating websites
Units 1, 3, 10 and 14 are coursework units and contribute to 66% of the A2 grade. All coursework units require students to plan, develop, test, implement and evaluate a fully functional system for a given scenario.
Unit 2 is an external exam and contributes to 17% of the A2 grade. Unit 9 coursework is externally marked and contributes to 17% of the A2 grade.