Information and Communication Technology
Vital skills for every role in life
Whatever pupils go on to do in the future, IT skills will most probably be essential, as everyone is now expected to have sound computer skills. Outside of the classroom and the work place, skills such as using a digital camera and subsequent editing of photographs are now required in everyday life. Pupils are therefore taught the following skills during their time at Millfield Prep School:
• Word Processing
• Spreadsheets
• Desk Top Publishing
• Graphical Representation of Data
• On-line Communications
• Multimedia Presentations
• Monitoring & Control
• Digital Imagery
• Graphic Design.
Pupils begin to learn the basics in Year 3 and 4, which includes sending emails, using different fonts, using search engines, creating and using databases, cutting and pasting text, creating pie charts and graphs, and interpreting and analysing information in graphs.
In Year 5 they begin to use spreadsheets and sensors, collect and interpret data, use a digital camera and edit the images from the camera. In Year 6 pupils look at creating various graphs in some detail, as well as becoming familiar with Microsoft Word. They go on to design a poster, learn more skills with a digital camera, and create a slide show.
In Year 7 pupils design an advertising brochure for the School, further develop their knowledge of spreadsheets, create a presentation, learn how to perform basic functions with Photoshop, and become more familiar with Microsoft Word. All Year 7 pupils are also put through an intensive week long touch typing course using the Englishtype software. Trainers from Englishtype spend three weeks with us and take the pupils through this software, showing them the importance of this life skill.
In Year 8, pupils develop many of the skills learnt over the previous years, including Photoshop, spreadsheets, Word, as well as using Corel Draw.
Incredible facilities at your fingertips
At present, we have 3 purpose-built computer labs, each containing 17 PCs running oun a Windows 2003 Network with Windows XP.
Each lab also contains the following:
• 2 scanners
• 2 digital Cameras
• Colour laser printer
• Multimedia projector & interactive whiteboard
• Secure Internet access
All classrooms have a single PC linked to the network with access to all the networked resources and the majority have a ceiling mounted projector. We also have four banks of wireless laptops. One is situated in the main teaching block and contains 17 laptops and a printer that can be used for subject teaching. The second is located in the LDC and contains ten laptops which are used to support pupils in their learning. The third is located in the Science Dept and contains sixteen laptops and the forth one is located in the Design Technology Dept and contains 5 laptops. Every pupil and member of staff has their own personalised email address which they may use as and when they wish.
Teaching ICT at Millfield Prep School
• Year 3, 4 and 5: 2 timetabled lessons per week
• Year 6: 1 timetabled lesson per week
• Years 7 & 8 (Scholarship & CCE): 1 timetabled lesson per week
• Years 7 & 8 (ACCE): 2 timetabled lessons per week
Jonathan Ford, Head of ICT
