What’s new on the Framework?

Check out the Progression in Learning page where a new document called NC ICT Core Themes Progression Linked to Applications has been uploaded. This document looks at the progression through the national curriculum core themes for ICT and links the activities for delivering this with the original QCA SOW for ICT (lower level) and the NELC SOW for ICT (higher level). To access the lesson plans from both schemes of work just click on the links in the tables. This provides an opportunity to ensure that pupils can be taught at an appropriate level according to their existing skills and knowledge. The suggestions for applications within the document consist of links to information about relevant 2Simple applications or Open Source applications (OS). The reasons for focusing on these applications are as follows:

2Simple software

· A comprehensive suite of software now available to all primary schools in North East Lincolnshire at no cost

· The programs have videos which explain how to use them making them easy to use in the classroom

· Teacher options within the software allow s the programs to be set at different levels of difficulty which means that the applications can be used in different year groups at an appropriate level.

Open Source Applications (OS)

These are applications freely available on the internet and which can be used to support teaching and learning. There are a number of benefits to using OS applications namely:

· They are free so schools can use them to resource their ICT curriculum and use their ICT budget for other things such as hardware.

· Pupils who enjoy using the OS applications can download the programs and use them at home

There are also some issues with regards to OS applications that teachers should be aware of:

· Teachers may find that they can access OS applications at home but they are blocked in school by the web filters. If you find this to be the case in your school could you please email me (Yvonne.walker@nelincs.gov.uk) with the details of the OS application and your school and I will get the issue resolved for all schools in NE Lincs.

Check out the new School ICT Development page. This has links to useful exemplar policies and job descriptions.

Also, a new assessment record spreadsheet has been added to the assessment page. This record sheet focuses on the NC core themes for ICT and provides a mechanism for teachers to record their pupil’s ICT assessment results and assign a NC level. Comments welcome!