WHY STUDY INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY?

The world is becoming increasingly dominated by the use of ICT systems, which influence every aspect of our everyday lives. The study of ICT will help provide students with the analytical, communication and technical skills that they will need as an active participant in this exciting and dynamic world. ICT at ISB in years 7 to 9 will also provide students with an essential foundation for any further courses offered, including the Cambridge International Diploma in ICT or the Edexcel IGCSE ICT in years 10 & 11 or the International Baccalaureate Diploma course Information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS) in years 12 & 13.

    

Recent Events

ITGS Students invited to Think Big Innovate 2012, The Empire Hotel, Wednesday 24^th October 2012

On 24th October, we were very kindly invited to the THiNKBIG Innovate Technology & Entrepreneurship forum. Thank you so much, Asia Inc, for making this possible. Thank you for giving us this amazing opportunity to attend this forum in which we were able to gain a lot of information from.(Plus, there was really good food too!)  Sheena

Education: (Stanley) In Stanley's talk in Track 1 and in his key note address, he discussed the use of technology as a medium for learning. In particular, Stanley talked about the use of games created by his company that provides children who are exposed to technology in a daily basis. Stanley discussed about the future of education and how it should  be 'pushed' to children instead  of them going  to education, because of this he created games that brings education that would be in K1 to K6 to children who spend too much time on technology,  to give them an alternative to games that provide no academic aspect.-  Jeremy

Side effect software: Kim Davidson is a key note speaker in "Think Big Innovation 2012". He discusses about how creating side effect needs to use both art and science in order to make something magic in the effect that  you are trying to do in 3D animation and visual effect. He also said that using your creativity will create something breath taking, whereas using your logic will create something that is not worth watching. -  Junior

Year 12 ITGS Trip to HSBC Bank, BSB

 On Thursday of this week, the Year 12 Information Technology in A Global Society (ITGS) group took a trip to the HSBC Branch in Bandar Seri Begawan, to hear first hand from the experts about the HSBC E-Channel and Security. E-banking is part of the ITGS syllabus and students went to find out more on the technology being used and the impacts this is having on society. Nazri explained the different features of the HSBC website which offers both the public website and Internet banking. Freddie a more in depth discussion on the technical aspects of Internet Banking as well as the additional features being developed such as the HSBC Facebook page and HSBC Brunei app. Finally Dexter, discussed Security and Fraud, educating us all how to bank online safely and how to avoid falling prey to ATM machine skimming.  Remember to all ways 'feel the ATM'. Elizabeth our host, then concluded the session with a quick quiz, with all students winning a chocolate prize. We are very grateful for HSBC giving up their busy schedules to educate us in these matteres.




 

Curriculum

Lower Secondary Year 7 - 9

In years 7 - 9, students follow a course that is an adaptation of the Cambridge Starter Awards in ICT - On Track level, which is inline with the English National Curriculum. The course consists of 9 modules that are delivered over the 3-year period. The modules include:

Year 7

Term	Activities
1	Multi-media presentations including the use of Microsoft Power Point and creating podcasts
2	Researching and Presenting Information
3	Image capturing and editing

Year 8

Term	Activities
1	Databases for a purpose
2	Website design for a purpose
3	Control for a purpose using a Visual Control

Year 9

Term	Activities
1	Animation for a purpose
2	Visual control technology and Desktop Publishing
3	Control Technology Game Maker

Assessment Focus

Presenting Information

Handling Information

Control

In addition to the discrete ICT lessons on offer at Key Stage 3, students have access to ICT in the other curriculum areas when teachers utilize the computers in the classroom for whole class teaching, during Library sessions and when the ICT rooms are booked by the subject teacher within their lesson time.

Outside of the curriculum, the Secondary ICT suite is open to all students at lunchtime and after school where students can use the computers for school related tasks e.g. Internet research, completion of homework tasks, presenting of class work and analysing of data. A variety of structured ICT related extra curricular clubs are offered after school by the ICT staff, which changes each term.

IGCSE

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY - ICT

Course Summary

AO1: Knowledge and understanding - students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the specific content (ICT systems, Impact of ICT, Use of ICT systems, Find and Select Information, Develop, Present & Communicate Information

AO2: Application - students should be able to apply their knowledge, skills and understanding to a range of situations to solve problems

AO3: Evaluation - students should be able to reflect crucially on the way they and others use, create or develop ICT systems and discuss and review the impact of ICT applications in the wider world.

Assessment Summary
IGCSE Information and Communication Technology is assessed by a combination of practical and written exam:

• Paper 1 - 1 ½ hours Written Paper consisting of short answer questions (50%)

• Paper 2 - 3 hour Practical Paper where students will complete a number of set computer related tasks using the key software e.g. spreadsheets, databases, presentation software, word-processing software etc (50%)

For a detailed outline of the course and its contents visit the IGCSE Skydrive which all students have a log on to.

WHY STUDY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY?

Expertise in the use of I.T. is useful in most professional careers and higher education. If you have an interest in Engineering, Electronics, Graphic Design, Systems Analysis, Programming, PC user support as a career then this subject will be of particular use to you.

INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER DRIVING LICENCE - ICDLTM

Course Summary
This course consists of 7 modules each of which are assessed throughout the year when students have finished studying the module.

Modules Summary

1. Basic Concepts of IT: To understand the physical make up of a computer and concepts such as data storage, memory and viruses.
2. Using the computer and managing files: The fundamental functions of a personal computer and its operating system.
3. Word Processing: Create and format word-processing documents and use more advanced features.
4. Spreadsheets: Develop, format and use basic formulas and functions in spreadsheets.
5. Databases: Designing and planning simple databases and to be able to retrieve information.
6. Presentations: Create, format and prepare presentations using graphics, charts and slide show effects.
7. Information and communication: Use a web browser and search engines to find information on the Internet; Use e-mail to send and receive and organize messages.

Assessment Summary
Each module in the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) is assessed by an online computer practical test using the ICDL testing software, taken under controlled examination conditions in the ICT Room.

The students will be prepared by completing quizzes and a mock test before sitting each module test. On the successful completion of all seven modules, students will receive their ICDL certificate.

IB

In year 12 and 13 students have access to 2 ICT courses on offer.

IB Information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS) SL or HL

INTRODUCTION

This course focuses on the study and evaluation of the impact of information technology on individuals and society. It explores the advantages and disadvantages of the use of digitized information at the local and global level. ITGS provides a framework for the student to make informed judgments and decisions about the use of information technology within social contexts.

This widespread use of IT inevitably raises important questions about social and ethical issues that shape our society of today. ITGS offers a systematic study of these issues, whose range is such that they fall outside the scope of any other single discipline.

COURSE CONTENT:

The course covers social and ethical issues related to the use of IT, such as security of information, authenticity and policies and standards. It also focuses on IT systems in a social context, where students will take a closer look at the hardware requirements of IT systems; have a look at a broad coverage of different software applications; make a study of communication systems such as the Internet and a look at integrated systems such as robotics and artificial intelligence. All these areas under study will be linked to the impact IT has had on business and employment, education, health, arts, entertainment and leisure, science and the environment and politics and the government.

WORK METHOD:

Throughout the course students must analyse and evaluate the social impact of information technology on individuals and society and consider the ethical issues raised by this impact.
The analysis of social issues can be guided by answering the following questions?

What are the social issues associated with a particular IT development?

• How did the IT development emerge?
• Who are the stakeholders who initiate and control the IT developments and are affected by them?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages for the stakeholders?
• What feasible solutions can be applied to overcome problems?
• What is the social impact of the IT development on human life in both local and global communities?
• The analysis of ethical issues can be guided by answering the following questions:
• What are the ethical issues associated with a particular IT development?
• Who is responsible and who is accountable?
• What policies, rules and laws apply to the situation?
• What are the alternative ethical decisions and what are their consequences?

For a detailed outline of the course and its contents students have access to the ISB Skydrive, which they each have a log on.

Assessment

Standard Level

External assessment (3 hours) 70%

Paper 1 (1 hour 45 minutes) 40%

Five structured questions that assess in an integrated way the three strands of the syllabus.

• Social and ethical significance
• Application to specific scenarios
• IT systems

Students answer three of five structured questions on any of the SL/HL core topics.

Paper 2 (1 hour 15 minutes) 30%

 

This paper consists of one unseen article.

Students are required to write a response to this article.

 

Internal assessment 30%

This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course.

 

Project (30 hours)

The development of an original IT product for a specified client. Students must produce:

• a cover page using prescribed format
• an original IT product
• documentation supporting the product (word limit 2,000 words).

 

Higher Level

 

External assessment (4 hours 45 minutes) 80%

Paper 1 (2 hours 15 minutes) 35%

Seven structured questions in three sections that assess in an integrated way the three strands of the syllabus.

• Social and ethical significance
• Application to specific scenarios
• IT systems

Section A

 

Students answer two of three structured questions on any of the SL/HL core topics.

Section B

Students answer one of two structured questions based on topic 3.10, "IT systems in organizations".

 

Section C

Students answer one of two structured questions based on topic 3.11, "Robotics, Artificial intelligence and expert systems".

Paper 2 (1 hour 15 minutes) 20%

This paper consists of one unseen article.
Students are required to write a response to this article.

Paper 3 (1 hour 15 minutes) 25%

Four questions based on a pre-seen case study.

Internal assessment 20%

This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course.

Project (30 hours)

The development of an original IT product for a specified client. Students must produce:

• a cover page using prescribed format
• an original IT product
• documentation supporting the product (word limit 2,000 words).

Career Information

ITGS is highly recommended for students wishing to develop an appreciation for the changing world in which we live in and the impact ICT has had on our everyday lives. There will be some usage of different software applications with hands on experience when producing the internally assessed project and within class assignments. This course would benefit any student wishing to further their studies in the field of ICT, however, it will be focusing on more of the social issues and less emphasis is placed on the technical aspects of ICT

 

Previous events of the ICT Dept

Once again students of ISB were warmly welcomed by HSBC staff to find out more about IT in banking. Oliva Ong, Ex ISB student gave an interesting presentation on Internet Banking, followed by Dexter Keasberry who covered all of the information about Security and Fraud. IT was interesting to see the trends in developments from the increase in users from 30 000 to 3000 000 over the last ten years and how HSBC , although not allowing staff to use Face Book at work, uses the HSBC Face Book Page to interact with customers and market their new products. Also ISB would like to thank Alan Liew from Human Resources, who helped arrange the trip.



 Useful Links

Revise ICT: http://www.reviseict.co.uk/

GCSE Bitesize: This site for revision is a fully integrated revision guide via TV, books and the internet, covering 11 subjects. Each element can be used separately. The service is offered by the BBC. www.bbc.co.uk/education/gcsebitesize/revision

Teach-ICT: An extensive ICT site packed full of materials for KS3, KS4 and KS5 students. Includes links, resources and ICT theory information together with interactive quizzes and games. http://www.teach-ict.com/