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Information Technology

The Information Technology Department consists of Information and Communications Technology, Information Management, and Computing. The table below shows the course titles of the pathways through the year levels, from 2010.

Progression

Note that the courses flow only in the direction of the arrows. The Alternative Computing course at Year 13 follows on from Alternative Computing Year 12, and provides students with both NCEA credits at Level 2 as well as National Certificate in Computing Level 2.

Please also note that Computing (CS300) is on the canon of approved University Entrance subjects.

Course Details

Information and Communications Technology � Years 9 and 10

These courses have been developed in compliance with the New Zealand Curriculum (2007). The aim of the technology curriculum is for students to develop a broad technological literacy that will equip them to participate in society as informed citizens and give them access to technology-related careers. At junior levels students learn the components of technological practice (planning for practice, brief development and outcome development and evaluation); they begin to develop an understanding of technological knowledge, and learn about the nature of technology.

They also learn practical skills as they develop solutions. They learn the domain knowledge and skills related to ICT, which include typing skills, design skills, file management, and skills across such applications as MS Word, MS Excel, MS Publisher, MS PowerPoint, Sketch Up, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Flash and Internet Explorer.

ESOL Information Management � Year 10

The alternative course in Information Management for ESOL students develops and strengthens skills in text entry, formatting, editing, file management, document design, and Internet searching. It also introduces students to the basics of Dreamweaver and Photoshop.

Information Management � Year 11, Level 1, IM100

The NCEA Level 1 course assesses skills in text entry and file management, accessing and processing information from different media, problem solving, direct composition, print design, and spreadsheets.

Prerequisite: Students must have completed the Year 10 Technology Education Course.

Assessment: Up to seven Level 1 Achievement Standards (four internal and three external), totalling 24 credits.

Information Management � Year 11 (Alternative), Level 1, IM111

This alternative NCEA Level 1 course in Information Management develops and strengthens skills in text entry, formatting, editing; file management, and document design. It is for those students who struggle with the level of written communication required in Information Management Level 1.

Assessment: Two Level 1 Achievement Standards and four Level 1 Unit Standards (with a total of 14 credits). They may also achieve credits in the internally assessed Achievement Standards of 1.3 and 1.4 so could potentially achieve 22 credits..

Computer Studies � Year 12, Level 2, CS200

Level 2 Computer Studies develops students� understanding and skills relating to: print design; web design; image manipulation; data manipulation in spreadsheets; ergonomics; presentation; and the operation and maintenance of a personal computer system. This course leads on to Level 3 Computer Studies�CS300.

Assessment

Up to 24 Level 2 credits from Unit Standards are offered. These credits can also be credited towards the Level 2 National Certificate in Computing.

Recommended Pre-requisites

It is preferred that students have completed Level 1 Information Management; otherwise entry is at the discretion of the HOD. (Usually if a student has achieved good Level 1 NCEA results, has an interest in Computing and has a positive attitude towards schoolwork they will be able to achieve in this course.)

Alternative Computer Studies � Year 12, Levels 1 & 2, CS201

This is a practical course in which students learn computer skills for the workplace. They learn to operate and maintain a personal computer; manage and protect data; create a simple spreadsheet; manipulate images; design and produce documents; email, and search the Internet. Students work to achieve 4 Level 1 and 20 Level 2 credits for NCEA. The Level 2 credits are also credited towards the Level 2 National Certificate in Computing. This course leads on to Alternative Computing at Year 13�CS301, which completes the requirements to achieve the Level 2 National Certificate in Computing.

Assessment

Up to 20 Level 2 credits and 4 Level 1 credits from Unit Standards are offered. The Level 2 credits can also be credited towards the Level 2 National Certificate in Computing.

Recommended Pre-requisites

It is recommended that students have completed the Information Management course in Year 11 but it is not absolutely required.

Computer Studies � Level 3 CS300

Level 3 Computer Studies leads on from CS200 and develops students� knowledge and skills relating to data manipulation in spreadsheets; print design in single page, multi-page and folded documents; web design; using computer technology to solve a specified problem; and designing, creating, and delivering a presentation using a personal computer application.

Assessment

Up to 23 Level 3 credits from Unit Standards are offered. These credits can also be credited towards the Level 3 National Certificate in Computing.

Recommended Pre-requisites

Students must have completed Level 2 Computer Studies (CS200). Entry for any other student is only at discretion of HOD.

Alternative Computer Studies - Level 2 CS301

CS301 is a practical course which compliments the CS201 course, as it completes the requirements for Level 2 National Certificate in Computing begun in that course. It also offers 20 Level 2 credits towards NCEA. Students learn further skills for the workplace, including developing an understanding of ergonomics; applying the principles, terminology and techniques used for word processing to produce documents; producing design illustrations; creating web pages; accessing computer resources via a local area network; developing presentations; and using and maintaining personal computer peripherals.

Assessment

20 Level 2 credits from Unit Standards are offered, which are also credited towards the Level 2 National Certificate in Computing.

Recommended Pre-requisites

It is preferred (but not required) that students have completed CS201.

News

Kooks

This year we have continued with the Wellington East Girls� College Computer Club: the Komputer Kooks. We meet every week and are involved in several initiatives, including tutoring parents. To find out more about this club, please click here.
Virtual Conferencing

This year the Year 10 Information Technology class has also been involved in a virtual conferencing project with Warrandyte High School, Melbourne, Australia. The students have paired up with pairs of students from Warrandyte to create webzines about social networking. This project is case-studied on tech-link. You can see a Tearaway article about it here.

Career Paths

Please click here for the Info Tech careers and courses pdf which outlines some of the Information Technology qualifications available.

Kiwi Careers Website

Here are the career paths recommended for students who have an interest in studying: