ICT in Schools

1
ICT in Schools

• Thomas Ng
• BEd(Hons) MA(IT) MBA FBCS CITP
• Secondary ICT Consultant
• School Improvement Division
• Milton Keynes

2
Objectives

• To share an understanding of the picture of ICT
  as a subject in schools
• To stimulate discussion

3
Computing

• is an applied philosophy of Science
• is the study of systematic problem solving and
  the practice of programming methodologies
• it requires discipline, algorithmic thinking and
  independent research skills

4
ICT

• is the purposeful application of computer
  systems
• students adapt computer systems skillfully to
  meet unforeseen needs
• goes beyond being advanced users of ICT
• involves the practice of design skills, system
  management skills and user support skills

5

• What is it like in schools?

6
ICT as a school subject

• Curriculum content
• Assessment / Qualifications

7
Key Stages (KS)

• KS1 KS2 5 to 11 years old
• KS3 11 to 14 years old
• KS4 14 to 16 years old (GCSE)
• KS5 post 16 (GCE)

8
Curriculum content

• Statutory Programme of study (KS1 KS4)
• KS1 KS2 QCA Scheme of work for ICT
• National KS3 Strategy Framework of teaching ICT
  capability
• Subject criteria for GCSE ICT Applied ICT
• Subject criteria for GCE Computing Applied ICT

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Implementation

• As a discrete subject (KS1,2,3,4)
• Units of work could be added or amended within
  existing subjects (KS1,2,3,4)
• Work could be coordinated between 2 or more
  subjects, leading to a common theme (KS3,4)
• Timetable could be suspended for special
  event/days (KS1,2,4)
• Work experience (KS4)

10
Using a spreadsheet package

• Video example 1, 2, 3

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Assessment/Qualifications

• KS1 KS2 teacher assessed (TA) national
  curriculum (NC) levels - report to parents
• KS3 TA NC level on-screen test
• (statutory from 2008 subject to successful
  pilot)
• KS4 GCSE / vocational equivalents
• KS5 GCE A level / vocational equivalents

12
Vocational Qualifications (KS4)

• IT Users
• GNVQ ICT
• ECDL
• CLAIT
• DiDA

• IT Practitioners
• BTEC Firsts
• iPRO
• Microsoft Academies
• Cisco Academies

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Point score on school performance table
DiDA
OCR Sys Support
GCSE
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Summary

• IT User up to KS3 with mix mode of delivery
• IT Practitioner as a branch of vocational
  subjects at KS4 and beyond
• Computing as an academic subject at KS5
• ICT as an academic subject at KS4 and KS5
• Major reforms in progress

15
On the horizon

• Review of the KS3 Programme of study (Year 7 to
  start new curriculum in 2008)
• Development of Functional skills in ICT (1st
  teaching 2008)
• Development of Specialised diploma in ICT (1st
  teaching 2008)
• Review of subject criteria for GCE Computing and
  ICT (to separate out the 2 subjects)

16
References

• recent Government papers
• 14-19 Education skills white paper
• 14-19 Implementation plan
• Higher standards, better schools for all
• Every Child Matters

17
ICT in Schools

• Thomas Ng
• BEd(Hons) MA(IT) MBA FBCS CITP
• Secondary ICT Consultant
• School Improvement Division
• Milton Keynes
• thomas.ng_at_milton-keynes.gov.uk