Welcome:

Computers are important in our lives. We can learn to use these tools of our age constructively and effectively. Without that rudimentary knowledge we fear what we do not understand. We should try and understand what the experts tell us by trying to establish our own level of understanding of the issues. With such a basic skill level we can learn to take control of computers and use them for the greater good of our community.

Wirreanda High School has recognised the need for ICT skill development throughout all year levels. From its inception the school strongly supported the role that computers play in our learning and skills for the work place. The schools Governing Council has strongly supported the provision of ICT services which take up a large amount of our annual budget.

ICT Services:
Here at Wirreanda High School students are supported in their ICT needs by a school wide single domain Windows 2003 network. With 230 work stations located throughout the school students are able to store their personal files in a central server. Daily backup tapes ensure the security of those files.

We have 5 computer rooms containing Windows XP Pro workstations. An additional room contains iMac computers running OS X. There are smaller clusters of up to 10 workstations scattered at many other work areas around the school including Electronics, Home Economics, Maths, WAVE, Science, Learning Centre, SHIP, Resource Centre and Student Information Centre. A group of 10 computers running Windows XP has also been dedicated for the use of our Year 12 students.

All computers, both Windows and Macintosh, have Microsoft Office software, Internet access and localised black and white laser printing. A centralised Colour Laser printer also provides colour printing school wide. Specialist Multimedia and Curriculum Software to support the diverse curriculum needs has also been installed in various location throughout the school.

Where do we start?
Students already arrive at our school with a good level of skill. We can not assume every one has learned the same skill or if it is to the same level. Our feeder Primary Schools have started the process. We have the task to support and increase their level of computer skills.

Middle School
Year 8 is the starting point where the students find that computer networks do impose extra hardships for some. Having a user name and a password comes naturally to most adults, but in these early years ownership and responsibility are concepts that are still being formed and developed. Having to remember such details to get at the World Wide Web can be easy or very frustrating.

We do not actually offer a single computing subject in year 9, but we do integrate the use of computers as the subjects find a natural and compelling reason to do so. The skills development of searching the World Wide Web is guided and approached carefully. What appears on the Internet should be treated in much the same way as we approach a newspaper or the media. Bias and inaccuracies can lead the untrained to believe the opposite to what we adults would call common sense. So with examples and targeted projects the students are guided through their first year.

Year 10 students have the option of completing one semester (2 terms) of detailed ICT skill development. If that is not the chosen path, Year 10 students can develop their software skill and knowledge by using both full class and individual visits to our computer rooms. We open one of the computer rooms to be used by individuals or small groups. A diary note usually is needed and students also record their visit details.

As a Year 8 subject the course covers a wide range of skills, terminology and tool selection. We go over the basics in detail, use and develop the student’s word processing skills to find an efficient way of operating the keyboard and mouse. Tasks are given as realistic examples of every day communications. Assessment Methods are generally along the same lines, and are open ended to allow for the wide skill levels found. Slower students are able to complete to standard level, while more advanced students can use the full range of software we provide.

An outline of the Year8 course can be found here.

Senior School

Year 10:
Year 10 is a stepping stone into the more extensive skills need to communicate in word processing, calculate in Spread sheets, record in Databases, create in Computer Graphics and publish in Internet Web Sites. A single semester is usually enough for students needing personal computer skills without the intension of diving more deeply into the technology of computers and the Internet. Two Semesters would provide, like any subject at school a solid grounding for further study in this subject.

During Year 10 students are encouraged to complete the Vocation Education and Training Certificate I in IT. A test at the end of the calendar year is available to students to complete the competencies requires for Operating a Computer, Word Processing, Spread sheets, Databases, Power Point Presentations, Internet and email skills. While the core year 10 subject teachers provide tasks that require the use of these software packages, enrolment and active involvement in the Year 10 Computing Subject is a definite advantage because of the time spent in developing skills and the detail provided within the course.

An outline of the Year 10 course can be found here.

SACE
The South Australian Certificate of Education has been developed to provide a wide ranging and balanced education towards a life of work in the community. With Information Technology the subject develops an in depth course developing communication skills using computer software.

In particular the subject develops a well founded and Industry wide Life Cycle process that produces electronic products that have been Defined, Analysed, Developed, Reviewed and Implemented. Each step is a quality assurance the prototype will deliver what it was designed to achieve. Students use these stages to create and complete larger projects while learning many new skills.

Link to the IT - SACE Document:

Stage 1 Information Technology subjects:
Learning Outcomes
Semester 1
Semester 2

Link to the Stage 1 - Semester 1 and Semester 2 subjects here.

Stage 2 SACE
Incomplete

Link to the Stage 2 - semester 1 and Semester 2 subjects here.

Information Technology Subjects - Summary:

Year 9 Computing: Semester 1 or Semester 2. (One only)

Year 10 Computing Semester 1 or / and Semester 2 (one or two semesters)

Stage 1 – Information Technology – Semester 1 or and Semester 2 (one or two semesters)

Stage 2 – Information Technology – (2) two semesters (full year)
Or
Stage 2 – Computer Applications – (1) one semester or (2) Semesters (full year)

For further Information about
Information Technology Subjects or
Information Communication Technology as it applies the to whole school
~ Greg Willcocks BSc Dip Ed Grad Dip.
Coordinator – Information Technology Faculty and
Information Communications Technology Coordinator for Wirreanda High School

Phone +61 (08) 8382 9555

Fax +61 (08) 8326 3546

Email: