[Year 12 Its] Basic IT Skills

[frankm at sjcs.melb.catholic.edu.au]

Dear Fellow IT Teachers,
We are currently in the process of working out what we (IT) will be offering in our vertical curriculum structure, that begin in year 8 and finishes in year 10.

We are planning to introduce a "foundation" semester length IT unit into year 8 that would address many of the basic VELS ICT skills. We see that this as an effective way of preparing students to utilise ICT in other KLAs more effectively. With such a unit, IT teachers would be able to teach the required foundation (basic) skills in a consistent manner. Ideally one would rather have this type of unit in Year 7, but curriculum restructuring last year lead to computer studies beng deleted from the year 7 curriculum.

I am wondering if you have set up such a unit in your school, perhaps in years 7 or 8 or even 9. Also, I am currently evaluating how the book 'Practice IT' book 1 (new edition) could fit into such a programme. For example, if you have experience in the use of Practice IT, how many units from the book have you found you can complete in a semester?

I welcome any ideas/suggestions you may in this matter. 

Regards,

---
Frank Merlino
St. Joseph's College
135 Aphrasia St
Newtown, Geelong, Vic
Australia, 3220
(03 52 268100)