This topic builds on topic 1 of Year 7 (Presenting Information). You will have to think more about where information comes from, better ways of getting it, about checking its validity and presenting it with consistency and appreciation of context, audience and purpose. You will then move on to look at some different ways in which information can be presented (hyperlinked presentations, audio and effective email and scheduling) and the problems of designing a good human-computer interface.
This topic will be your first look at web design and creation. It has a lot in common with the work you did on presentations in Year 7 (remember purpose, audience and consistency?). You will learn to structure, design and create your own web site using HTML, Word and Dreamweaver.
The history of computers and computer networks, how they work (computer arcitechture) and some of the logic and maths that runs them.
Some data handling was covered in Year 7 topic 4. This topic gets you creating databases from the beginning using Access. You will create data structures and go on to create forms for viewing and entering data. You will be introduced to the concept of queries and will think about the ways that data can be presented, including integrating it into other software, like a word processed report.
Using Scratch (and maybe Microworlds and JavaScript) to program your computer - you are in control of the animations, calculations and sounds, while learning the basics of computer programming.
This topic covers various aspects of ICT and how it is used in the wider world. You will think about the topical issues of the misuse of personal data (from spam to identity theft), health and safety, plagiarism and copyright and equal access to ICT and what effect it has on employment locally and internationally.
ICT projects to stretch your computer skills further. The first three are integrated tasks, meaning they make you use a range of ICT skills. The others are themed by subject, but they all use ICT. You can send in your work if you want to, using the upload link just below, and good work will receive a commendation.