In April 2011 I completed an ICT skills audit were I was able to note down what area’s I was confident with and what area’s I needed to pay more attention to. Due to my design background it was obvious that I would be more confident when it came to drawing and web design. I hadn’t used PowerPoint or Excel since I was at school so my knowledge for spreadsheets and databases were limited. I was never taught anything about gathering information and manipulation. I would say these were my weak points along with number systems, computer architecture and the legal aspects and legislation.
At the end of August I attended an ICT booster course that was aimed at students wanting to improve their ICT skills. We were set different tasks on each day to recap on hardware, software and system analysis. It was a perfect opportunity for me to look at software I had never used before and focus on areas of ICT I was unsure of. After reading up on the ICT curriculum I understand more about what is needed. Pupils will learn about hardware and all types of software including word processing, image and sound manipulation and web design tools. Although my strongest point, ICT isn’t always just about hardware and software, there is so much more included in the subject and it gives students essential skills that could set them up for life. I understand that pupils will need to develop ideas, communicate, analyse and evaluate information.
“Pupils should be able to:
d. Design information systems and suggest improvements to existing systems.”
- curriculum.qcda.gov.uk
During the booster course we were put into small groups and were set a task to write up a feasibility study for a ticket selling company wanting to expand and design a new database. We drew up data flow diagrams and came up with recommendations on how we thought a change to the system could benefit their company. I really enjoyed the task and it was good to work in groups for the business aspect.
Studying the curriculum also made me realise students have to learn the social impacts of ICT and how it would be applied to a real life situation. I attended an ICT lesson in a primary school where the teacher was asking the pupils where and why we would use ICT. With technology getting more popular and employers looking for more skills I think its important students know how crucial ICT could be for them. Today’s curriculum makes sure this is made aware of to pupils. Teachers have to be creative, confident and productive. My eagerness to learn and interest in the subject makes it easy for me to maintain enthusiasm.
At the same school I also learnt about some social issues. Networking websites and messaging software make cyber bullying a growing problem. It is important that students learn when and why we use certain software’s and not to take advantage of their features.
“The curriculum should provide opportunities for pupils to:
a. Make choices about when and where it is appropriate to exploit technology to support them in their learning and everyday life."
- curriculum.qcda.gov.uk
At the end of the first week of the booster course I completed another ICT skills audit. I definitely saw an improvement on some software I re visited. I know my way around PowerPoint now and I think my knowledge in Excel and using databases has improved. I also used Microsoft Access for the first time and after a complicated start I understood why I was doing what I had to and it all made sense. I have also researched computer architecture and taken notes. I took screen shots of everything I have done and wrote notes on topics I want to research more about.
Looking at the audit there are still many areas I need to look at and improve on. I am confident with hardware and software and know I would be able look at new ones and learn the basics easily. I would like to look more into data logging and structures. I also need to look at malpractice, the legal framework, data protection and networks and information systems. I am looking forward to the second week, as there are more lessons about topics I have never looked at and I want to be prepared come September.
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