As we approach a new school year, I thought the post below (originally from February) may now be very relevant for all those planning their ICT for 2012-13.
Although the disapplying of the ICT programmes of study in September raises some issues and concerns (see That Speech ... from 12th January), there is no doubt that it presents opportunities to re-focus ICT work in schools and create activities, schemes and frameworks which are innovative, creative and downright exciting! A blank slate on which to work can be intimidating, however, and most primary ICT co-ordinators will need support, if they are replace current National Curriculum-based planning with something better. Fortunately, there is plenty of support out there! Many teachers and local authority support services have, for some time, viewed National Curriculum ICT as a baseline and minimum entitlement from which to develop a rich, relevant, up-to-date activities and schemes. Below are just a few of the best documents to support ICT planning in a PoS-free world.
Although the disapplying of the ICT programmes of study in September raises some issues and concerns (see That Speech ... from 12th January), there is no doubt that it presents opportunities to re-focus ICT work in schools and create activities, schemes and frameworks which are innovative, creative and downright exciting! A blank slate on which to work can be intimidating, however, and most primary ICT co-ordinators will need support, if they are replace current National Curriculum-based planning with something better. Fortunately, there is plenty of support out there! Many teachers and local authority support services have, for some time, viewed National Curriculum ICT as a baseline and minimum entitlement from which to develop a rich, relevant, up-to-date activities and schemes. Below are just a few of the best documents to support ICT planning in a PoS-free world.
- The Primary Literacy Framework featured a rich document called ICT Applications in Literacy, which I have found particularly useful for raising awareness of how ICT can enrich English teaching and how ICT capability can be developed through English. Although a few years old, it is still highly relevant and surprisingly cutting edge in its ideas. It leaves the 'Exchanging and Sharing' strand of the National Curriculum far behind ...
- Although at very serious risk of extinction in the current climate, local authority ICT support services have produced some excellent documents over the years to help in implementing (and extending and enlivening) the National Curriculum ICT requirements. Somerset's ICT Progressions are particularly clear, detailed, forward-looking and well structured, with really valuable supplementary materials about 'E-Sense' (I think a better term than E-Safety!).
- Cambridgeshire's materials are also good, with their Summary of ICT Capability (Word file) being a particularly clear and concise outline of progression. Kent's Overview of ICT progression is also worth a look.
- When it comes to individual teachers, Simon Haughton's Progression Grids appear to be a labour of love and are very impressive.
- Mr Lovegrove's Primary ICT Teaching and Learning Framework is the product of a small team, rather than an individual. It is particularly useful in its focus on children's success criteria.
- Finally, Sir Robert Hitcham's Primary School provides this resource on progression through the Foundation Stage.
