Year 10 ICT Curriculum Plan

Overview
Pupils follow a modified version of the National Curriculum up to Year9 at which point they are enrolled on the ECDL (European ComputerDriving License) course. Many of the resources used in Years 7 and 8are those suggested by the DfES however there are some notableexceptions which are outlined below.

The current Program of Study for 2006-07 is as follows:-

Year	Term 1	Term 2	Term 3
7	Presenting Ideas	Computer Modelling	Communicating Ideas on the WWW
8	Communicating Ideas on the WWW	Presenting Ideas	Computer Modelling
9	ECDL* M1 and M6	ECDL* M1, M3 and M6	ECDL* M1, M2, M4 and M6
10	ECDL* M1 and M6	ECDL* M1 and M6	ECDL* M1 and M6
11	ECDL*	ECDL*	ECDL*

* Changes are expected next year as the ECDL coursebecomes more established. Many pupils are expected to have completed alarge part of the course by the end of Year 10. Their ICT period willthen become a self-study period in which they have access to thecomputer lab and the support of ICT staff and will be encouraged toimprove coursework in other subjects instead of pursuing further ICTqualifications.

For those requiring longer to complete ECDL it should be noted thatthe course was chosen in part because of its modular approach. Althoughthe requirements of specific modules are taught explicitly in certainlessons, pupils are welcome to self study during that time providedthey evidence this work and submit this for scrutiny at the end of eachclass.

Pupils have opportunities to complete practice tests (which take10-15 minutes) at break, dinner and after school. Should a pupil feelready to take a test before a class, these can also be sat at dinnerbreak and after school (tests take approximately 45 minutes).

The textbook used on the course is How to Pass ECDL for Office XP by P. Holden and B. Munnelly.

The BCS site has syllabus and sample test papers and the course can be supported by completing practice material and quick tests from the Teach ICT site. The DfES has suggested schemes of work and also worth a look is the ICT National Curriculum.

The ECDL Modules

Module 1.	Concepts of Information Technology. (The theory module).	Memorising important technical terms like Internet and hardware.
Module 2.	Using the Computer and Managing Files.	Making folders and giving them appropriate names to organise your work.
Module 3.	Word Processing. Microsoft Word.	Making letters and CVs look professional, including mail merge.
Module 4.	Spreadsheets. Microsoft Excel.	Modelling systems which have mathematical functions as a base.
Module 5.	Databases. Microsoft Access.	Getting the computer to store data and be able to find something out of that data quickly.
Module 6.	Presentation. Microsoft PowerPoint.	Useful for presenting work or information to classes by making a slideshow.
Module 7.	Information and Communication.	Email and searching efficiently on the Internet.

Term 1

ECDL 1.	Binary.	Introduction to bits and counting in binary.
ECDL 2.	Representations.	Using binary to represent different types of information.
ECDL 3.	Byte.	Understanding the need for the byte.
ECDL 4.	Kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte.	Moving from bits to bytes to kilobytes with real world information.
ECDL 5.	SCAN #1.	Introduction to the main elements of a PC with a focus on RAM.
ECDL 6.	SCAN #2.	Applying knowledge of a PC to purchase one with the focus on the H/D.
ECDL 7.	Formal assessment #1.	Assessing students' knowledge of the system unit.
ECDL 8.	Build #1.	Installing the RAM and H/D into the motherboard.
ECDL 9.	Build #2.	Installing the CPU, HSF and PSU into the motherboard.
ECDL 10.	Build #3.	Consolidation of Build #1 and #2 including PCI cards.
ECDL 11.	Peripherals.	Naming and describing the advantages and disadvantages of various peripherals.
ECDL 12.	Motherboard.	Fully label the motherboard diagram focusing on the NorthBridge.
ECDL 13.	CPU.	Internet research - History and development of the CPU.
ECDL 14.	Formal Assessment #2.	End of term assessment of lessons 1 to 11.
ECDL 15.	Module 6 Assessment.

Term 2

ECDL 13.	Operating Systems #1.	Internet research the definition of an operating system; name three operating systems, Developers, etc.
ECDL 14.	The Different Types of Computer.	Mac versus PC videos whilst researching graphical user interfaces.
ECDL 15.	Networking PCs.	Network topologies whilst installing an operating system.
ECDL 16.	Operating Systems #2.	M1 operating systems and self-assembly questionnaire.
ECDL 15.	M6-2 and evidencing.	Automated testing software used to practise second primer then individual help as needed.
ECDL 16.	M6-3 and evidencing.	Automated testing software used to practise second primer then individual help as needed.
ECDL 17.	M6 last practice including crucial M6 skills.	Automated testing software used to re-sit tests.
ECDL 18.	Administration.	Assignment of Log Books and test conditions lecture; email and Excel.
ECDL 19.	M6 Test.
ECDL 20.	M1 End of Term Assessment. (M6 or M3 evidencing.)	Written paper and summarising Module 1 aspects covered so far.
ECDL 21.	M1 Formally taught Operating Systems #2.	The specific task carried out by an operating system.
ECDL 22.	M6 or M3 primers. M1 Teach ICT.	Individual work either moving on to the next module or practice M6 further with a view to re-sitting.
ECDL 23	M6 Retest.	Resit M6 or sit M3 if ready.

Term 3

It is anticipated that for Years 10, Term 3 should see the majority ofpupils taking on more self study with the lessons becoming less teacherled. The exception to this is expected to be the lower sets wherefurther explicit instruction may be required.