AS Applied ICT Class Blog

LAST FEW WEEKS

2007-04-16T03:09:00.000-07:00

By now you should all have the following assignments completed, printed and handed up to me:
- SuperSavers webpage (on LNI)
- Report on how you made the SuperSavers webpage
- Health & Safety (when using ICT) Guide for SuperSavers staff
- Report on how you made the Health & Safety Guide
- SuperSavers Health & Safety (when using ICT) Presentation
- Report on how you made the Health & Safety Presentation

If any of these are missing / incomplete you MUST get them finished this week.

Today you will start working on the SuperSavers Data Collection form.
Info on the datapool:
S:\ICT\GCE APPLIED ICT\AS Modules 1-2-3\Module 1\Assessment Part 2 - Documents\Data Collection

You will use the advanced features of Word to produce a professional looking Data Collection form to be used when collecting details of new Savers, to be added to the SuperSavers database.
Document & Report on how you made it to be completed for this day week (Mon 23rd April)

Checklist

SuperSavers Health & Safety Booklet Draft Submission

2007-03-05T03:18:00.000-08:00

You should have completed your "SuperSavers Health & Safety Booklet" for last friday.
You were to have it 'printed' as a PDF file.
Today you will submit it electonically.

1) Go to www.c2kni.net
2) 'Learning Services for Schools'
3) 'Learning NI'
4) Log in using your c2kusername and password (write your c2k username in the book if you don't know your password)
5) Click on the 'Y13 Applied ICT' course at the bottom left of the screen.
6) Click on 'Workspace' (top right of the screen)
7) Click on 'Coursework Upload'
8) Upload your PDF into the area (Add > Local File)

Information & Data Theory cntd

2007-02-26T03:11:00.000-08:00

On Friday we had presentations from Philip, Oran and Emmet.
Today we will have Aaron and others presenting their material.

For Thursday you should have caught up on all the homeworks set (I will be checking!) and continued to work on the Health & Safety booklet for "SuperSavers Administration staff".

You must have the 1st draft of your booklet completed for FRIDAY of this week.
This counts as COURSEWORK and *MUST* be submitted on time.

This draft will be submitted electronically - no paper version to be printed.
When you go to Print the document, choose "PDFCreator" from the available printers.
Give your file the following name:
c2kusername_HSBooklet_Draf1_02Mar07.pdf
e.g. ebarr599_HSBooklet_Draft1_02Mar07.pdf

You must also create a report on how you made the booklet (for next Monday), so you should be taking screenshots as you go along.

Module 1 >>> Assignment 2 <<<

2007-02-21T06:25:00.000-08:00

You have already been told about The FIRST part of your coursework assignment:
- Comparing & Contrasting Business Documents (Based on London Olympics Theme)
- If you have not already done so, get a selection of documents from 2 business to compare.

The SECOND PART involves the CREATION of business documents.
You have to use your ICT skills and knowledge of information & data theory to produce:

A Report / Booklet
A Data Collection Form
An Online Document
A Multimedia Presentation

You will use the SuperSavers Case Study to base your documents on. (This is the Case Study your Module 2 Computer based exam will be on, NOT ROCKETSHAKERS)

Files relevant to Part (ii) are in the Datapool:

S:\ICT\GCE APPLIED ICT\AS Modules 1-2-3\Module 1\Assessment Part 2 - Documents

Today you will begin working on the REPORT.

You will produce an 8 page booklet aimed at SuperSavers Administration staff explaining "Health & Safety Issues when using Computers".

You will demonstrate use of all the word processing features we have covered:

Table of Contents
Header / Footer
Headings
Integrated graphics (use suitable photos, images from the Internet, OWN GRAPHICS)
Use of bullet points / lists / nested lists
Suitable image / text wrapping
Use of appropriate font styles, sizes and effects.
Use of columns / text boxes where appropriate
Arrows etc to highlight key points
Your booklet should look PROFESSIONAL, not like a 1st year produced it!

Your booklet should cover all relevant Health & Safety issues (including Legislation) when using a PC in an office environment.

You then need to produce a 'How I made it' report describing the different software techniques used.

Get cracking!

And we're off...!!!

2007-02-08T03:36:00.000-08:00

Today we started our class Peer Teaching exercise.
Our first speakers presented their slides and gave you short homeworks to do.
We heard from the following students:

Darren - Data Info & Knowledge
Garrett - Data Info & Knowledge in Action
John Clift - Value of Information
John Coyle - Quality of Information (Part 1)

All 4 speakers should have published their slides on their own blogs (check the sidebar to get to their blogs >>>).

The (short!) homeworks they set are to be completed and published to your blog.

Presenters tomorrow will be:

Aaron
Paul
Christopher E
Possibly David

*EVERYONE* should be ready to present their slides incase someone is off.

Parent's Evening Tomorrow Night

2007-02-05T03:23:00.000-08:00

By the end of this class you are to have your blog up-to-date and PRINTED, STAPLED and LEFT ON MY DESK.

PS Could everyone PLEASE make sure they have created a GOOGLE ACCOUNT to use when they sign in. You will need one of these accounts later in the course.

Thanks,
E Barr

Another Friday afternoon...

2007-02-02T06:47:00.000-08:00

Gentlemen,

I know that the 'net connection appears to be slow this afternoon, however I still want you to try and update your blogs so they suitably demonstrate work you have completed for my classes.
You should have (at least)
- the Introductory post you were supposed to do (from the letter you sent at the start of the year)
- A post describing the spreadsheet work we completed during November.
- A post evaluating your performance during the first term.
- A post describing the topic you are to 'teach' to the rest of the class.
- THE WORK YOU WERE TO COMPLETE THIS WEEK i.e. uploading screenshots
- Also: screenshot of your completed class lesson plan; uploaded images from the ppt you will 'teach' to the rest of the class (export your ppt slides as individual jpeg's); Description of the homework exercise you will be giving your classmates.
- You must ensure that the link from this main blog to your own blog WORKS. Make sure you have given me the correct web address for it.

Don't cry at me about logging in to the blog - it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. Use a bit of initiative and sort it out yourself. You can't go through life having people fix all your problems for you!

Module 2 Exam Screenshot Evidence

2007-01-31T09:06:00.000-08:00

Complete the task started on Monday:
- Upload screenshots showing evidence of how completed each Task in the Jan 06 Module 2 exam to your blog (remember: log in via the 'Old Blogger' option).
- Paste screenshot into Paint> Save as jpg > upload to post.
- You should have a NEW POST for EACH TASK.

This to be completed for Friday 2nd Feb! (You had all week!!!)

By the way lads, your blogs generally reflect the amount of effort you have put into my class.
I will be printing these off for Open Night as evidence of what you have / haven't done...

Module 2 Exam (Jan 06) Exercise

2007-01-29T04:16:00.000-08:00

Gentlemen,

For Thursday 1st Feb you are to have uploaded your answers as screenshots & explanations in INDIVIDUAL POSTS for each Question.
e.g. You would create a New Post for Task DB1 and in this upload your screenshot of the Agegroup table. You should then describe how this answers the question asked.

To upload images you will need to copy them from the Word document you saved them in so far into 'Paint' (in 'Core Programs'). Save it then as a PNG or JPEG file and you can upload it to the blog.

Please write if you don't understand / can't do a particular question rather than leaving it blank.
I can't help you if I don't know what you have problems with!

We will start the 'Class Teaching' exercise next Monday.

Sep <=> Dec 2006 Reflection

2007-01-08T02:53:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Today you will reflect on your academic performance and conduct in my class during the first term.
At the start of Sep you signed a school Learning Agreement which stated you would work and behave to the best of your ability during your time here.
You also wrote a letter to me stating how well you would conduct yourself in this class.

So did you?

You will write AT LEAST 100 words on each of these topics:
- Attention / Conduct in Class (up to now - did you carry on / mess about / distract others?)
- Academic Performance (in class tests etc)
- Practical Skills Acquired (methods of using software, did you practice enough?)
- Time Spent Out of Class (home, study, library - did you make the best use of time / resources)
- Responsibility for Own learning (did you come to class not knowing your password for the network / C2K / Blog? Did you forget books / homeworks? did you come to work in my room during your study periods? did you ask the teacher or check the blog for work you missed due to absence? etc)

Anyone who can't get on the network / online PLEASE write your username in the book and I will get passwords sorted out.
I can't help you with forgotten Blogger passwords & usernames - THAT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to remember...

Last Week before the exams !!!

2006-12-11T03:15:00.000-08:00

*** Your Christmas exam will be in IT1 on Mon 18th Dec, between 11 - 12:30. ***

You SHOULD have completed the Jun 05 Past Paper exercises and marked them against the mark scheme yourself.

This week you must concentrate on completing the Jun 06 Past Paper, and also mark it yourself.

You should make the most of your time in the IT suite this week. I expect to see you coming in during your study periods.

>>> THIS TIME NEXT WEEK YOU WILL BE DOING THE EXAM <<<

Christmas Exam Preparation

2006-12-04T03:04:00.000-08:00

Gentlemen,

I have already informed you that your Christmas exam will be one of two papers.
For the next 2 weeks, we will work through each of these papers, practising the skills involved.

Today you will all read through and attempt to complete the Summer 2005 exam paper:

S:\ICT\GCE APPLIED ICT\AS Modules 1-2-3\Module 2\Christmas Exam Prep\May 05 RS\Exam

1) Copy the 'May 05 RS' folder to your own area.
2) Create a folder called 'Practice' in the same folder along with 'Data Files' and 'Exam'.
3) Create a document template. Store this in the 'Practice' folder you just created.
This will be the template you use to store your screenshots / evidence.
It should contain the following in either a header :

Candidate number (if you know it) & your Name
Centre Number (71865)
Question Number e.g. Task DB1, DB2 etc
An empty box for writing in the 'Label'.

Footer:

'Page of Page' e.g. "1 of 3"
Y13 AS Applied ICT - Christmas Exam 2006 Practice

In this template I would also have the following:

At least one arrow created from Autoshapes. (to identify the key point of evidence)
An empty Text Box (to label the key point of evidence)
An empty circle (to highlight the key point).

Having this set up correctly should help you organise your work.

4) Start working through the exam, pasting screenshots into individual documents based on your template. Save each document as instructed.

Dont bother printing until you have completed all of the tasks.

You *** MUST *** work at this independently during your own study periods.

Database Practical Work - For Friday 1st Dec

2006-11-27T03:55:00.000-08:00

Copy out notes from Ch 1 in your HB book:
(Can be typed up, printed & stuck in book if preferred)
Pg 6 - 'A Sample Database' : 1st paragraph & bullet points
Pg 7 - 'Table Design': down as far as the table
Pg 8 & 9 - ALL OF 'Elements of an Access Database' AND 'Naming Conventions'

Create a Folder in your 'My Docs' area to keep all this database material.
Work through Chapters 2,3,4 & 6, saving your work!!!
(Don't worry about Task 6.5, drawing a chart if it doesn't seem to work)

You will have a test on Friday during P9 which we will then correct P10.

Introduction to Databases

2006-11-20T08:19:00.000-08:00

Data can be stored within a database, the database can be queried to produce information.
This information can be used to make decisions within an organisation.

You will need to:

• understand the role of key fields within the table structure;
• select fields and link at least two tables together on a common field;
• enter data into a database;
• query a database using up to three criteria;
• create and use onscreen and printed reports from within a database and evaluate them interms of purpose and intended audience;
• create and use data capture screens and evaluate their effectiveness in terms of fitness for purpose.

Sorting, Filtering & Subtotalling

2006-11-20T03:21:00.000-08:00

Today we will complete the Sorting, Filtering & Subtotalling exercise. (Excel 5 Data Management)

•Task (1) Screenshot each procedure you do and explain how you get the answers to the questions.
•Task (2) We will then produce a graph / chart based on the data.
•Task (3) We will create a suitable report for the NuClean company (Due Friday)

All relevant files in the Datapool:
S:\ICT\GCE APPLIED ICT\AS Modules 1-2-3\Module 2\Using Office Applications\Spreadsheets

Spreadsheet Progress

2006-11-17T06:38:00.000-08:00

For Today's class you will log into your Blog (created last week, don't dare tell me you have forgotten your password or username).

1) You will create a new post which outlines what you have learned this week, showing some sample screenshots from the tasks you have completed.
Easiest way to do this is to:
-Take a screenshot
- Paste it into Powerpoint
- Explain / highlight key points using text boxes, arrows etc
- Save the PPT.
- Then 'Save as' and choose 'png' from the filetype drop down box.
- Choose 'Every slide'
- The slides are then saved as images in a subfolder in your area.
- Upload these to your blog (only 5 per post).

HOMEWORK

You should have completed Tasks 1 - 4 for today.
We will start working through 5 & 6 next week, then work through some sample scenario / past paper examples.

You MUST have printed off the worksheets for Tasks 5 & 6.
Copy out the explanations given for Data Management Techniques into your HB book.
Your notes should include explanations and instructions for:

Filters
Sorts
Subtotals
Advanced Filter
Pivot table

Next Friday you will have a test on spreadsheets PERIOD 9 in THE STUDY.
We will then correct it during my class, Period 10.

Welcome to the Blogosphere!!!

2006-11-10T06:53:00.000-08:00

You have now joined the world of online publishing.
Bear in mind that this blog is ONLY for AS Applied ICT related material, and is an extension of your school work.

All posts and comments you make should be appropriate and respectful of your peers, teachers and the school.

If you want a personal publishing outlet you can create another blog using the same account and use this outside of school time.

Once you have created your own blog, you have to then:

1) Create your first post (blog will not be active until you do)
This should be an amended version of your initial letter to me at the start of the year.
(Check your email / area for a saved version).
You should add in sentences covering how you used the blog facilities appropriately to improve your writing and communication skills, as an online diary of your work in this subject...

2) Leave your blog address as a COMMENT on this post.