MANAGING ICT MANAGING ICT
The ICT evolution
Alix Gliniecka
from Weydon
School discusses
how ICT in
secondary education is
evolving, and why it is
Keep the home
now vital to bring those
in year 11 up-to-date with
the technology that many
fires burning
year 7 students seem
accustomed to
ITH A number of year 7
W
students entering secondary
school knowing more about
ICT than their peers in
year 11, is the gap between
students and their ICT
knowledge widening more
than ever? And is this disparity in knowledge creating
problems in terms of the procurement of resources that
are to be used across the whole school?
Weydon School in Farnham is a specialist science
school. An exceptional, high achieving school – it was
ranked 10th best state school in the country by The
Sunday Times in November 2008 – our 1,200 students
thrive on the wonderful relationships that exist between
themselves and their teachers.
As an ICT co-ordinator, motivating students to do of purchasing ICT equipment and resources for the
well in ICT is something I feel extremely strongly school.
about. Currently, there is a huge effort to encourage the Educational procurement has always been a
older students to learn a variety of skills as, in terms challenging task because there are so many areas to
of ICT, we are witnessing a large gap in capabilities consider, including budget, longevity of a resource, and
between younger students and those ready to move overall usability, to name a few.
onto college or into the workplace. However, with the growing gap between the ability IS YOUR SCHOOL WEBSITE
Unlike previous years, Weydon is now welcoming of every student in regards to ICT, this now produces
a number of students into year 7 with a higher level even more of a challenge for the bursar. They have to
of ability in ICT than we have seen in previous consider the abilities of all students, ranging from the
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years, many who have a better knowledge of desktop computer illiterate to the advanced.
publishing, internet sites, messaging, podcasts, and As an ICT co-ordinator, I am always on the lookout
blogs (to name but a few) than some of their peers for innovative resources that not only benefit my
leaving the school in year 11. students, but provide support for the teacher.
This indicates a number of changes taking place in I visit the BETT show, the world’s largest education
both education and the world of technology. It shows in technology event, every year as it gives me ideas and
Bright Schools provide a wealth of interactive
how technology is being introduced earlier and that inspiration for new hardware and software, as well as
primary schools are embracing it. allowing me to touch and test the latest products, and
website tools to improve communication and
Pupils as young as five are using computers and compare affordability.
other technologies, both at school and in the home. As This year’s show was particularly pleasing as my
create a vibrant online school community
technology begins to play an increasingly predominant year 10 students were invited to demonstrate their skills
role in our lives, children are becoming naturally more on the Serif stand.
capable and comfortable with it. They are studying for the OCR Level 2 Nationals in
Whereas in recent years children may have been ICT and for the show they had six weeks to produce a
intimidated by new technologies, now they are often video that they could present to visitors.
underwhelmed by new launches, and more frequently, Working on a project like this really motivated them
it is the children who educate adults on how to use and they produced great examples of professional-
products. looking work. They made adverts for a camera,
Using play equipment like the Nintendo Wii, or any promotional videos for air cadets – the list is endless.
kind of advanced gaming console, at home enhances It was great for them to be able to show their work
their understanding of technology and it becomes to visitors, enhancing their sense of motivation and
second nature to them, with children developing achievement.
transferable skills and many growing fearless of any The point is that resources need to be accessible
new equipment that is thrown at them. enough for the least able, yet advanced enough for
More children are growing up with at least one the most competent. They need to help nurture the
computer in their home, as parents start to become potential in students of every ability. This is the
more IT-savvy. However, as much as it is true for challenge for us, and for the ICT companies, when
some children that they are accustomed to a wealth of it comes to today’s educational technology. What is
technology and used to information coming to them via important is that every student is brought to a level
CONTaCT BRIGHT SCHOOLS FOR FLExIBLE WEBSITE
the internet, for some it is still a novelty and something where they are capable of using a computer in a
which they know little about. variety of ways, on a personalised programme suited
SOLUTIONS TO SUIT YOUR ONLINE REqUIREmENTS
This poses a question as to what each child is to their needs.
expected to know when embarking on an ICT course It is an interesting time for ICT in education and
in year 7. a time where schools and teachers can be creative in
In most cases, teachers can gauge what the child what they teach, giving students a scope to expand and
will know and what skills they have been taught in their enhance their skills and knowledge, and use what they
subject before they start at secondary school. However, already know in a productive way.
with ICT being used over such a broad spectrum both Students leaving school in year 11 have to
inside and outside of school it is difficult to predict the be confident that they are not left behind in the
incoming students’ levels of ability. technology revolution, and those entering the school
t 0800 680 0327
For example, we have some children entering year have to be sure that their talents will be allowed to
e info@brightschools.co.uk
7 having already created their own websites, and at the flourish. SecEd
same time a number of children who have barely typed
w brightschools.co.uk
on a keyboard before. • Alix Gliniecka is ICT curriculum area leader at
The task of incorporating all of these varying Weydon School, a specialist science school in Farnham
abilities increases the strain on the individual in charge in Surrey. Visit www.weydonschool.surrey.sch.uk
SecEd • March 26 2009 11
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