Do you want students to learn about web 2.0- try google analytics!!

I have recently been teaching OCR Nationals, Technological Innovation and E Commerce (Unit 8). When it comes to making ICT real, this has got to be one of the best units from the wide selection available.

One assessment objectives regards investigating a technological innovation. The way we have done it is by allowing students to explore the world of blogging- more importantly though- we have looked at all the web 2.0 wlwmwnts that you can bring into a blog. The students have responded most to "google analytics". They have found it fascinating to see how professional bloggers adapt what they write to their audience and also to see the amount of feedback you can recieve. It also allows them a deep understanding series of careers that they may otherwise not even know exists.

This is something that I will definitely do again, when students show that they understand how to make money from a blog through adsense and ca track their users and then create content for them- this has to be exciting real education!

Time for a change?

There has a lot of talk and apprehension surrounding the revised programme of study for ICT. My message is don't worry. The new programme of study gives us the flexibility to decide to an extent what we ant to teach but more importantly how we teach it- if you ever felt that the six year old programme of study stiffled your creativity- then get prepared for some hard work in the short term but then a much better experience for students and teachers alike.

At the academy we will be creating a new scheme for year 7 and 8. This will be using as many new technologies as physically possible and surrounding this with an environmental theme. We are going to deliver the year 7 in 4 themed units. It should look like this- I have also included a framework map to illustrate how we will be meeting the curriculum needs.

In terms of functional skills, we complete OCR Nationals unit 1 (ICT Skills for Business) in year 9- and we are proposing that we cover functional skills at this point. As an ICT teacher I am glad that I am not in the same position as colleagues in mathematics and english who have new content to teach!

Year 7 (formation)

Unit 1. Emotional Literacy based PowerPoint.
Unit 2. Global Links/ internet safety/ blogging/ video conferencing- students get e buddy from abroad.
Unit 3. Issues for audiences.
(Desktop Publishing/ Podcasting)
Unit 4. Global Survey
Group questionnaires about pertinent topics relating to students and e buddies.

Year 8 (expansion)

Unit 1. Financial Spreadsheet unit based around different jobs and disposable income.
Unit 2. Games Design. Using scratch animation.
Unit 3. Web Design
Unit 4. Mp3 player database
Unit 5. Video creation and editing. Students make TV programmes about local issues.

Year 7 Framework Map

I'll have to email this one!! Its a bit long!!