An FGS Student:Result for a survey of ‘Out of School use of ICT’
June 23, 2010 by chris · Leave a Comment
A typical student from FGS owns a laptop1 and spends four hours a night on their computer during the week. They are skilled at multi-tasking and have MSN or Windows 2 live running with conversations with a number of their friends. They will also have Facebook running at the same time and they will be using the instant messenger aspect of it as well as adding comments on their friend’s sites.
Embed SWF into PowerPoint
January 18, 2010 by chris · Leave a Comment
Embedding swf files (both animations and movies saved as SWF rather than FLV) into powerpoint is not especially easy, but this is the simplest way I have found, discovered by one of my year 11 students and demonstrated by him to the rest of the class.
In 2009…..
December 29, 2008 by chris · Leave a Comment
In 2009 only 1% of computer chips manufactured will end up in laptops or desktop computers, the rest will be embedded in central heating systems, fuel control systems, supermarket tills, automatic doors and so on.
Equally in the next two years more computers and chips will be made than the total made in all years to date, the same will happen in the two years after; the reality of living in exponentia times.
Functional Skills in ICT:Using OCR Nationals Unit 1
December 5, 2008 by chris · Leave a Comment
This is a first draft , if you have any additions please post them, but an interm attempt to see if the very popular ‘OCR Nationals in ICT’ can be used as a vehicle to deliver the functional skills. The first look at it suggests it can. I am assuming that the FS are assessed by some sort of test or exam. At my school we would want to continue to deliver the Nationals as long as possible and the obvious outcome we would prefer is for the Nationals to re-emerge with FS signposted. This will require additional ‘assessment objectives’ but it does not look too difficult.
Functional Skills in ICT: level 2
|
|
Coverage and range |
Examples/applications |
OCR Nationals equivalent |
|
Use ICT systems |
|
|||
|
1. Select, interact with and use ICT systems independently for a complex task to meet a variety of needs |
1.1. Use correct procedures to start and shut down an ICT system |
Log in, log out, use shutdown menu |
Not likely to be a problem |
|
|
1.2. Select and use a communication service to access the internet |
Broadband, dial-up, network, mobile device |
Not likely to be a problem |
||
|
1.3. Select and use software applications to meet needs and solve problems |
Word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, browser, email, audio and video software |
Not likely to be a problem |
||
|
1.4. Select and use interface features and system facilities effectively to meet needs |
Desktop, windows, dialogue box, menu, submenu, toolbar, scrollbar, drag and drop, zoom, template, wizard |
Not likely to be a problem |
||
|
1.5. Select and adjust system settings as appropriate to individual needs |
Window size, mouse settings, icon size, screen resolution, desktop contrast, volume, date and time |
Network permission |
||
|
2. Use ICT to effectively plan work and evaluate the effectiveness of the ICT system used |
2.1. Use ICT to effectively plan work; review the effectiveness of ICT tools to meet needs in order to inform future judgments |
Time, convenience, cost, quality, range of facilities, versatility |
NEW DOCUMENT |
|
|
3. Manage information storage to enable efficient retrieval |
3.1. Manage files and folder structures to enable efficient information retrieval |
Create, open, save, save as, print, close, delete, view, rename, move and copy files, create folders and subfolders, name files and folders appropriately |
A01 Create folders |
|
|
3.2. insert, remove, label and store media safely |
CD, DVD, memory stick, hard drives |
A01 Back up to memory stick |
||
|
4. Follow and understand the need for safety and security |
4.1. Minimise physical stress |
Arrangement of hardware and cables, wrist rests and other devices |
NEW DOCUMENT |
|
4.2. Keep information secure |
Keep copies safe, take backups, keep password or PIN secret |
A01 Password protest a document, Backup to a memory stick |
|
|
4.3. Understand the danger of computer viruses and how to minimize risk |
Use virus-checking software, treat files from unknown sources with caution |
A02 email – security – distinction |
|
|
4.4. Understand the need to stay safe and to respect others when using ICT-based communication |
Avoid inappropriate disclosure of personal information, avoid misuse of images, use appropriate language, respect confidentiality, use copy lists with discrimination |
NEW DOCUMENT |
|
|
5. Troubleshoot |
5.1 Identify ICT problems and take appropriate action |
Software freeze, respond appropriately to error dialogue, virus threat, storage full, paper jam, uninstall software, know when and whom to ask for help to fix the problem |
NEW DOCUMENT |
Find and select information |
|
||
|
1. Select and use a variety of sources of information independently for a complex task |
1.1. Select and use appropriate sources of ICT-based and other forms of information which match requirements |
Newspapers, books, images, maps, conversations, CDs, DVDs, text messages, podcasts, web logs, web-based reference sites |
A02 Search the web – distinction |
|
1.2. Recognize copyright and other constraints on the use of information |
Music downloads, acknowledgement of sources, avoiding plagiarism, provisions of the Data Protection Act |
A02 copyright |
|
|
2. access, search for, select and use ICT-based information and evaluate its fitness for purpose |
2.1. Access, navigate and search internet sources of information purposefully and |
Enter a web address, use a search engine, browse, save and use bookmarks |
A02 Search the web – distinction |
|
2.2. Use appropriate search techniques and design queries to locate and select relevant information |
Multiple search criteria, quotation marks, search within results, relational operators, logical operators, find or search tool including wildcards |
A02 Search the web – distinction |
|
|
2.3. Use discrimination in selecting information that matches requirements from a variety of sources and evaluate fitness for purpose |
Recognise intention and authority of provider, currency of the information, relevance, bias |
A02 Search the web (validity) - distinction |
|
Develop, present and communicate information |
|
||
|
1. enter, develop and format information independently to suit its meaning and purpose, including: |
1.1. enter, organise, develop, refine and format information, applying editing techniques to meet needs |
Organise: structure of information, document layout, headings, subheadings, lists, tables, use of templates edit: drag and drop, find, replace, undo, redo |
Word process a document to be the source of a brochure in A04 |
|
1.2. use appropriate page layout |
Columns, margins, header, footer, portrait, landscape, page breaks, page numbering |
||
|
1.3. enter and format text to maximize clarity and enhance presentation |
Bullets, numbering, sub-numbering, alignment, tabs, line spacing, colour, font, style, size |
||
|
|
1.4. create and format tables to maximize clarity and enhance presentation |
Tables: timetable, components list, membership information format: horizontal and vertical text alignment, merge and split cells, gridlines, borders, shading |
|
|
|
1.5. obtain, insert, size, crop and position images that are fit for purpose |
Clip-art, photos, scanned images, borders |
|
|
1.6. enter, develop and organise numerical information that is fit for purpose |
Cell data types, cell ranges, absolute and relative referencing, formulas, functions, replication, structure and layout of |
A05 Spreadsheets
Chart to be used in WP document and exported as a source for DTP |
|
|
1.7. format numerical information appropriately |
Currency, per cent, number of decimal places, date, time, text wrap, row height, column width, gridlines, merged cells, cell borders |
||
|
|
1.8. create and develop charts and graphs to suit the numerical information, using suitable labels |
Pie chart, bar chart, single line graph, scattergram, title, axis titles, legend |
|
|
1.9. enter, organise, select and edit records using fieldnames and headings, data types and unique record identifier when appropriate |
Spreadsheet or database, use data filtering |
A05 Spreadsheet |
|
|
1.10. sort records on one or more fields in ascending or descending order |
Table, spreadsheet, database |
A06 Database |
|
|
2. bring together information to suit content and purpose |
2.1. bring together and organise components of images and text |
Image, chart, text alignment, captions, text wrap, use of text boxes, behind, in front, grouping |
A04 DTP |
|
|
2.2. organise information of different forms or from different sources to achieve a |
Poster, newsletter, web page, catalogue, brochure, multimedia presentation |
|
|
3. present information in ways that are fit for purpose and audience |
3.1. work accurately and proofread, using software facilities where appropriate |
Ensure meaning is clear, seek views of others, check spelling, check calculations, ensure consistent layout, print preview |
|
|
|
3.2. produce information that is fit for purpose and audience, using accepted layouts and conventions as appropriate |
Letter, memo, report, newsletter, brochure, poster, web page, information sheet |
|
|
4. evaluate the selection and application of ICT tools and facilities used to present information |
4.1. evaluate the effectiveness of ICT tools to meet presentation needs |
Time taken, quality, range of facilities, versatility, transferability of information into other formats, speed of internet connection, time constraints of downloading large files |
A03 presentation |
|
|
4.2. review and modify work as It progresses to ensure the result is fit for purpose and audience, and to inform future judgments |
Produce drafts, review against initial plans, check with intended audience |
A04 Review of brochure text, include peer review |
|
5. Select and use ICT to communicate and exchange information safely, responsibly and effectively, including storage of messages and contact lists |
5.1. Create, access, read and respond appropriately to email and other ICT-based communication, including attachments, and adapt style to suit audience |
Open mailbox, read, reply, forward, communicate using from, to, cc, bcc, subject and content fields, add and open attachments, use instant messaging, contribute to forums, web logs or web-based reference sites |
A02 email |
|
|
5.2. Manage efficient storage of ICT-based communications, attachments and |
Create and maintain folders, delete redundant messages, add, amend and delete contact |
A01 create folders |
The two cultures
June 3, 2008 by chris · Leave a Comment
As a person who wanted to be a Chemist (not a pharmacist) whose first degree is in Fine Art and who spends a working life teaching computers the ‘Two Cultures’ Science and Art are a real concern. The Latin ‘Artibus’ gave rise to two words Artisan – a technician and Artist – a painter. In some ways the development of computers is helping bring the two elements together. It was the development of DTP software for the Apple Mac that helped the personal computer get started and in schools the creative use of computers is very popular. Web Design, Animation, Graphics, Video and Sound are the most popular units on my ICT courses. Most recent ICT qualifications featured somme of those as elements along with the more commercially oriented offerings of Spreadsheets and Databases. I recently encountered http://azuregrackle.com/periodictable/table/ a periodic table where each element was individually illustrated really beautiful. I am going to see if I can develop it into a poster and put it up at school.
The Turing test and personal Daemons
December 13, 2007 by chris · Leave a Comment
What started out as a 10-minute discussion in my year 10 class, developed into a one hour debate on artificial intelligence taking in AL.I.C.E. (the AI chat bot) the ‘prisoners dilemma’ and the film ‘Golden Compass’A report on the net tells of the emergence in Russia of a convincing chatbot on their equivalent of MSN. The chatbot is ‘female’ and convinces men to click on to a link to ‘her’ site to see interesting pictures. When they do a Trojan is passed to their machine, which looks for credit card information to send to its host. Read more
Excellent use of a VLE; Specialist Schools Trust
December 7, 2007 by chris · Leave a Comment
A national meeting for school heads of the ‘Maths and Computing’ specialist schools was told that my school – Frederick Gent in Derbyshire – was an example of excellent work in the use of a VLE. We run Moodle and we have been approached by a number of schools to help and advise on the use and integration of Moodle. Read more
Alfreton Learning Community first INSET Day
November 23, 2007 by chris · Leave a Comment
The first time I have heard the term ‘INSET terrorisist’
At a discussion today at the Alfreton Learning Community INSET (400 teachers at the Riverside Conference Centre at Pride Park) with all or most of that groups ICT teachers we concluded that school policy for access to Web 2.0 is decided largely by network managers. Wendy Savage from Morts gave a vision of schools using Web 2.0 sites and facilities. All of the sites she mentioned are blocked either by EMBC or locally.
Something I have become aware of in the last couple of weeks is that in 1998 when I was at Belper, we had classes for families of students to show people how to use the web, email and so on. They were all over subscribed and there was a long waiting list. As teachers we were leading the charge into the new technologies. Now that new technology in picture sharing, social networking and a great deal more is blocked. We have become censors, a reactionary force blocking change. I remember the arguments against email for students, a white list of approved websites and blocking Google, it was eventually seen as ridiculous and I suppose this will althogh I am little pessimistic at the moment.
On the upbeat side Sir John Jones a very emotional and inspiring speaker, he may have given enough people the courage to carry through the change that is needed and push aside the nay-sayers
Web 2.0 Derbyshire ICT conference Nov 2007
November 16, 2007 by chris · Leave a Comment
November 15th 2007
The Derbyshire Annual ICT conference, the theme this year was Web 2.0. Keynote speakers Ewan McIntosh in the morning and Steve Beard to round off in the afternoon. The discussions in the workshops including my own on – web 2.0 - seem to be showing common experiences. Web 2.0 technologies are blocked as standard in almost all schools. When ICT in UK schools became effectivley compulsory in 1999, the schools where teaching students things they did not know. At my school at the time we held evening classes that were oversubscribed, in which parents and their children were shown the uses of the Internet, email search engines and so on. At that time the schools were in front of the students and showing them new things. The situation is completely different at the end of 2007. Most of my students spend up to 2 hours a day on MSN chat – banned in school – on BEBO also banned. They may spend time on MIBBA a creative writing social network, but not at school because it is banned. They could use DEVIANT ART as my teenage daughter does most days, but their creative efforts would be blocked next day at school. FLICKR ? banned YOUTUBE ? blocked of course. In a hand full of years UK schools have gone from the enthusiastic adoption of new technologies to a frightened attempt to ban them from schools. For the students a different world exists, they use the developing technologies, they make judgments about the trustworthiness of sites or contacts and they are part of the force that is driving technology forwards.




