- Departments - ICT
Members of Department
Miss A. St. George (Head of Department)
Mrs M. Donnelly
Miss M. Hughes
Mr A. Lennon
Mr D. McCann
Miss E. Mulgrew
Miss C. O’Gorman
Mr B. Flannagan (Technician)
Key Stage 3
All students in Year 8, 9 and 10 have timetabled ICT classes delivered by ICT staff. Topics covered include:
Year 8
Digital Literacy – rules, folders, email, business letters, word processing documents, eSafety
Presentation Tools – Prezi, Google Slides, PowerPoint
Programming – Scratch and using the Microbit
Comic Life
Minecraft
Google Sites
Google tools - using Google Classroom
Year 9
Digital Literacy – rules, folders, email, eSafety
Movie Making
Working with Sound Files Using Audacity
Programming/Coding
Access – databases
Computer Hardware and Software – parts of the computer, operating systems
Google tools - using Google Classroom
Year 10
Digital Literacy – rules, folders, email, eSafety
Web Development/Website Design
Programming using Python and Microbits
Spreadsheets and Databases
Google tools - using Google Classroom
Enrichment Activities
Enrichment activities are provided regularly to all pupils in the IT department. Some of these include:
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Students also have the opportunity to become a Be Strong Online Ambassador. Be Strong Online is a digital resilience programme for young people from the Diana Award Anti-Bullying Campaign and Vodafone. The programme is completely peer-led and empowers young people to be positive online role models to their peers and develop skills in areas such as leadership, teamwork, creativity, organisation, kindness, empathy, technology and public speaking.
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Visiting speakers from IT organisations and from the universities e.g. BringITon, Deloitte, Kainos, UU Games Design Visiting Lecture.
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Field visits to IT organisations e.g. AllState.
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Hour of Code.
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Sentinus Workshops.
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UK Bebras Computational Challenge.
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eSafety activities e.g. the PSNI deliver talks to all students from every year group on how to be safe online and the ICT department delivers tasks to coincide with Safer Internet Day each year.
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All pupils at KS3 get the opportunity to express their views on ICT by completing a Pupil Voice survey.
Key Stage 4
Digital Technology (Multimedia)
Introduction
This subject was previously called GCSE ICT. The CCEA GCSE Digital Technology specification is unique in the UK. Students who choose Route A: Multimedia in this subject will achieve the qualification of GCSE Digital Technology (Multimedia).
Through studying this subject students will acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of digital technology in a variety of contexts. They will develop creative and practical digital technology skills, using a range of generic software such as MS Office and web design. Students will explore the legal, social, economic, ethical and environmental impact of digital technology.
Content and Assessment
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Unit 1: Digital Technology - 30% exam (this unit can be completed at the end of Year 11)
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Unit 2: Digital Authoring Concepts - 40% exam
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Unit 3: Digital Authoring Practice - 30% Controlled Assessment (students will design, develop and test a website and a database)
Skills Developed
This qualification gives students opportunities to develop transferable skills for further study, in the workplace and for life. These include computational thinking, problem-solving and creativity. Students also develop skills that will help them to effectively manage information, work independently and work with others.
Career Pathways
Most occupations require ICT and digital technology skills.
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Website Design
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Interactive Multimedia Design
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Teaching
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Network Administration
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Systems Analyst / Data Science
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Computer Games Developers
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ICT Support
For more information visit https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-digital-technology-2017
Digital Technology (Programming)
Introduction
The CCEA GCSE Digital Technology specification is unique in the UK. Students who choose Route B: Programming in this subject will achieve the qualification of GCSE Digital Technology (Programming).
Through studying this subject students will acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of digital technology in a variety of contexts. They will develop creative and practical digital technology skills in an object-oriented environment. Students will explore the legal, social, economic, ethical and environmental impact of digital technology.
Content and Assessment
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Unit 1: Digital Technology - 30% exam (this unit can be completed at the end of Year 11)
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Unit 4: Digital Development Concepts - 40% exam
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Unit 5: Digital Development Practice - 30% Controlled Assessment (students will design, develop and test a coded digital system using a programming language such as Python or C#)
Skills Developed
This qualification gives students opportunities to develop transferable skills for further study, in the workplace and for life. These include computational thinking, problem-solving and creativity. Students also develop skills that will help them to effectively manage information, work independently and work with others. The primary focus of this qualification is to develop programming and coding skills.
Career Pathways
Digital Technology (Programming) is useful for any Computer Science career.
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Teaching
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Computer Games
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Software Development
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Programming
For more information visit https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-digital-technology-2017
OCN IT Applications
Introduction
The OCN NI Level 2 Certificate in Information Technology Applications is designed to provide learners with the IT skills required to function successfully in the work and wider environment.
It is a vocational qualification which is the equivalent to a grade B at GCSE.
Content and Assessment
This course is 100% coursework - there are no exams.
Units studied are:
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Email Software Skills
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Spreadsheet Software
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Word Processing Software
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Using the Internet v
Skills Developed
This qualification gives students opportunities to develop transferable skills for life and in the workplace. These include effectively managing information, working independently and with others, problem-solving and creativity.
Career Pathways
Most occupations require IT skills.
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Administration and Office Work
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Web Communications
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Digital Communications
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IT Support
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Database Administration
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Network Administration
For more information visit https://www.ocnni.org.uk/qualifications/ocn-ni-level-2-certificate-in-information-technology-applications
Key Stage 5
CCEA Software Systems Development
The GCE Software Systems Development course is equivalent to 1 A Level (over 2 years).
Aim:
This course is designed to equip students for higher level study within the software development industry. This course is an applied qualification and helps students to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required to work in software development.
Entry Requirements:
A minimum Grade B in GCSE Mathematics is desirable.
Modules Studied and Mode of Assessment:
Students are required to undertake 2 modules over each year.
In Year 1
Introduction to Object Oriented Development
This unit is externally assessed through a two hour examination paper
Event Driven Programming
This unit is internally assessed.
In Year 2
Systems Approaches and Database Concepts
This unit is externally assessed through a two hour examination paper with a pre-release case study .
Implementing Solutions
This unit is internally assessed with a pre-release case study.
Career Opportunities:
You could progress to a Foundation Degree in Computing in South West College or a Degree in Computing or Software Development in University or College of Higher Education. You may consider full time employment within the private sector or public sector employed in areas such as software engineering, software developing or web developing.
“Software controls every computer system function in the world. The ability to write computer programs in languages that are used widely in the industry is one of the most valuable skills to have in the world today. Knowing languages such as Java and C# allows you to program and develop applications for mobiles.
Wouldn't it be great to have the skills to become part of this growing industry?
More information can be obtained from http://ccea.org.uk/software_systems_development/
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information Technology
The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information Technology is an Applied General qualification.
It is designed for learners who are interested in studying the creation of IT systems to manage and share information with a view to progressing to higher education and ultimately to employment in the IT sector.
The qualification is the equivalent in size to one A Level.
There are 4 units to be studied (3 mandatory and 1 optional).
The mandatory units to be studied include:
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Information Technology Systems
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Creating Systems to Manage Information
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Using Social Media in Business
The optional unit to be studied is Data Modelling and it is internally assessed.
Two units are externally assessed
The two externally assessed units are:
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Information Technology Systems (externally assessed)
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Creating Systems to Manage Information (externally assessed)
Each external assessment is taken under specified conditions, then marked by Pearson and a grade awarded. The styles of external assessment used for qualifications in the Information Technology suite are:
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set tasks – learners take the assessment during a defined window and demonstrate understanding through completion of a vocational task.
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some external assessments include a period of preparation using set information.
Two units are internally assessed
The two internally assessed units (all coursework) are:
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Using Social Media in Business (internally assessed)
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Data Modelling (internally assessed)
Internally assessed means that the teacher sets and assesses the unit assignments and then they are sent to Pearson external standards verification.
Assessment and Grading
Final grades are awarded as Distinction*, Distinction, Merit, Pass.
Careers using Information Technology
Web Designer
Software Engineer
Technical Manager
ICT Teacher/Lecturer
Data Centre Manager
User Support Manager
Project Manager
Business Analyst
Help Desk Operator/Supervisor
PC Support Officer
Technical Support Officer
Graphic Designer
Telecommunications Engineer
Information Technology Manager
Computer Operator
Network Manager
Technical Support Manager
Systems Analyst
Systems Developer/Programmer
Information Technology Trainer
User Support Analyst
Database Administrator