Lacon Childe ICT Weblog

Well folks, this one’s a chance for you to help me! I have to report on any ways that the school can improve Gender Equality - basically the treatment of boys and girls and how fair or unfair that treatment is. There are 4 areas to comment on:

CULTURE - does the culture of the school promote equality? Do you feel that chances to do things are given out equally?
EDUCATION PROVISION - I’d hate to think anyone considered ICT or BCS as a Girls’ or Boys’ only subject. Hopefully you can tell me that we’re OK here - but if we’re not, now’s the time to speak up!
MONITORING - How do members of staff get to know if there is something happening which is sexist? Could you / would you tell me?
COMMUNICATION AND CONSULTATION - Do you think girls and boys have an equal say in school issues and matters?

Now obviously, the things I have to comment on are mainly to do with ICT and BCS, but if you want to mention issues that affect the wider school community, feel free to do so. As always, you can mark your comments “PRIVATE” and I’ll read them but won’t post them for anyone else to see. Don’t forget to use your USERNAME please, not your full name.

Time for Y9 to choose their Options!  At the moment you can choose between GCSE ICT (60% coursework, 40% exam) or BCS (67% timed practical test, 33% theory exam).

I would like to know what YOU think of these options.  The GCSE ICT is old-fashioned, but as long as you work, there’s a very good chance you’ll get a good grade, because we have lots of resources.  The BCS course is based around lots of short tasks plus some business theory.

But we know there’s more to ICT than this.  You have seen the RollerCoaster software; you have used Blogs.  You might have used Flash, GameMaker, Dreamweaver and a whole host of other programs.  You might be interested in Games software, Animation, Digital Graphics or a number of other things. 

I would like to read your comments and suggestions.  What kind of GCSE or equivalent course would YOU like to do?  There are pros and cons - if you do a “new” course, you might not get the same level of backup and support from your teachers - we’ll be learning too.  But you might be able to study things that matter to you.  Add your comments here - don’t forget to use your USERNAME please.  And add your @lacon.org.uk email address.  This needs to be done soon, if I am going to look for different course specifications (though I have one or two in mind already…!!)  Mrs B.

Year 8 have been using Google Docs to help them with their Internet Research Project.  I think GoogleDocs are cool; what do you think?  IF cool - why?  If uncool, what’s the problem with them?  Can you think of other subjects where they could be helpful, or other topics in ICT where they would have helped in Key Stage 3?  Add your thoughts - use your digital brain email as the email address and don’t forget to use your username not your real name, please.

I have had some reports that there is a lot of cyber-bullying going on through the Bebo site which pupils use at home.  The site is not allowed in school.  What do you think about this kind of bullying?  Have you suffered from it? Are you one of the bullies, or do you know who they are?  What do you think school could or schould do about it?  What do your parents think?

If you want to give me your comments privately and NOT have them on the blog, make sure you include “private” as part of your user name when you write your comment (eg “CCCW private“).  Or you can submit your comments anonymously if you would prefer me not to know who you are.  Just put “private” as your name.

Lots of people ask me at Open Evening how we make sure pupils are safe in school when they are using the computers.  The Year 8 Internet and Phone Safety unit is designed to help you learn about safety.  Look at these 3 websites:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/kidzprivacy/kidz.htm

http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/yp/games.aspx

http://www.safekids.com/kidsrules.htm

Who do you think they are aimed at?  How can you tell?  Which is best?  How useful do you think they are?  Add your comments but remember - Usernames only, please!

Also:

What kinds of worries do your parents or carers have about you when you use computers or the Internet?  Record any of the classic complaints or phrases you hear time and time again… we’ll be looking at how you can deal with these, later in the term!

Now that you have finished your Yrs 7-9, I want to know:

What is the BEST thing you have done in ICT in the past 3 yrs?  Why did you like it so much?

What is the WORST thing you have done in ICT in the past 3 yrs?  Why did you hate it so much?

Have you chosen ICT or BCS for your options?  Which?  If you have, why have you chosen the subject?  If you haven’t why not?

For this post, you can be totally honest.  You don’t have to give your name if you don’t want to; just put anon as your name and anon@ethink.org as your email address.  I’d rather read what you really think!

Now that we have finished the year (almost!) I’d like to know what you think was the best thing you have done in ICT this year.  And what you liked about it.

Then (uh-oh!) what was the worst thing you have done in ICT?  What did you hate about it?

You can be honest - but not rude!  Concentrate on the lessons, the teaching and not the people!

Remember to use your username please!

Have a look at my cupboard door design.  I think it is suitable for an older customer because it uses colours and curvy edges that were trendy when an older person was young.  It is shiny so it will be easy to clean.  But I had to make it in publisher so it doesn’t have very interesting patterns.

What do YOU think of my design?  Could it be improved?  Could I have used a differnt software package?  Add a comment - use your USERNAME!

How do you guys suggest we should assess the rollercoaster work?  What criteria would you like to use?  What method do you think would work best?  How can we tie this in with the National Curriculum levels?

Year 9 have done their ICT SATs tests this week. Well guys, what did you think of the whole experience?  Which bits were good - or not?!  Let us know so we can give some feedback to the government people who made the tests.

- Remember to use your USERNAME not your real name please.