ICT/Computing

Key Stage 3

ICT

Why is the study of ICT important? 

 

Key Stage 3 ICT is all about getting to know how computers work, how to use them safely and the skills you will need over the next five years of study at Sirius Academy West.

Each year group has five/six topics to explore all leading on to one of our many options available in the Business and Computing department at KS4.

  • BTEC Creative Media
  • BTEC Digital Information Technology
  • BTEC Enterprise
  • WJEC Retail Business
  • BTEC Travel and Tourism
  • Year 7

    Year 7 is all about getting our newest students up to date with the basic expectations of a Sirius Academy West student using ICT.

    • E-Safety: Explore how to protect ourselves and our devices while use the internet safely, understand the how to identify the threats and what to do if you encounter them.
    • Computer Hardware & Software: Explore the core components of the devices we use; how they work together to play the role of our PC’s, Smart Tech etc.
    • Software Literacy: Throughout their education at Sirius using certain software will be an essential skill, this part of the year will be an exploration of core pieces of software we use at Sirius.
    • Collecting & Presenting Data: As part of their coursework units in year 10 and 11 students will need to know how to collect data as part of primary and secondary research and display it in their work. This unit will help them with the skills they need to do it.
    • Scratch Programming: A staple in any ICT curriculum, programming brings so much to the table with problem solving, pattern recognition and critical thinking being staple skills developed alongside learning how to program using scratch.
    • Website Design: Finishing the year off is an interactive media project where the students will learn about preproduction design, HTML and CSS alongside some basic image editing skills to create their own website.
  • Year 8

    After a short recap of core skills year 8 we explore the more academic side of ICT, looking at more complex skills, taking time to look at how things are connected and how algorithms have impacted modern life.

    • Constructing a Survey: While people fill in surveys on a daily basis, a lot of people overlook the complexity of how to pose questions to get answers which are useful. This unit is all about asking the right questions and using the answers to make decisions.
    • Business Planning & Research: looping in some year 7 skills here to apply their research skills to the idea of creating a business, being able to manage time and create SMART objectives to achieve an aim.
    • Image Manipulation: On the more creative side here; images on the internet or printed on posters are very rarely “naked”. They have usually gone through several different manipulations to make it look just right. This unit will introduce the skills required to take an image and turn it into something new.
    • Networks: The internet of things is forever growing so knowledge on how these devices are all connected together moving forward is vital. Here we will explore the different topologies, types of networks, connection methods.
    • Algorithms: Modern life is impacted by hundreds of algorithms; catching a bus/plane? An algorithm was used to plan when it arrives, what time it leaves and what route to take. Looking for that product in the supermarket which you thought was in Aisle 5? Nope… An algorithm told them it would be better on Aisle 10. Students will learn what an algorithm is, how algorithms work, how to design them.
    • Data Representation: Another staple and chance to include some maths into our subject. Computers run on electricity which means we only have 2 numbers to represent anything on a computer. 1 (on) and 0 (off), learning how a computer takes the letter ‘A’ or a Red Pixel on the screen is an important part of knowing how the devices we use work.
  • Year 9

    This year sees the launch of a new level 1 qualification for all year 9 students which was created by the British Computer Society produced with giving students the best start possible.

    The course draws from years 7 and 8 and combines them into a single qualification which students will be awarded upon completion. The course is divided into three sections:

    • Start: using devices and applications responsibly and securely, locate information online, and create a simple research output.
    • Build: skills and knowledge through creating online accounts and using common applications, finding and organising information, and creating and printing a well-structured report.
    • Share: and develop content using more advanced research skills, select and manage applications, protect data and devices, create a variety of content as part of a broader project, interact safely and responsibly online, and manage their digital identity

Student Testimonial

 

“I really enjoy ICT lessons as we learn loads of new skills. Because of this, I now love going to coding club every Monday where we get a chance to make my own arcade game.”

Logan K Year 7 

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