Computing and ICT

Matthew Young

2021 has been a very difficult year to build the continuity and skill development that is needed to succeed in our Technology based subjects. Whether the boys are in Year 9 Information Software and Technology or finishing their journey in Information Processes and Technology they need to systematically work their way through the content and build the understanding of just how complex computing technologies are. I think the way in which nearly all boys have adapted to Home Based Learning (HBL) has been amazing. The work rate and attendance have been excellent, and I wish to commend them for this.

Year 9 Information Software and Technology

This year students started at school and gained an understanding of projects and project management with the first Web Design unit. This is a great introduction to the course and covers the use of HTML and CSS and as part of the core content, covers project management and teamwork. They produced excellent sites and really put some thought to the page additions.

Unit 2 is Digital Media and StopMotion Animation. This is completed with the boys learning about the use of Photoshop, Adobe Premiere and Dragon Frame Animation. The process starts with the creation of a story and storyboard which is then adapted to have an introduction, development and conclusion. The characters are created and then the backgrounds and finally a huge number of images are taken, normally between 14 and 18 for each second of the film. Students in Year 9 this year created a 30 second film. After the initial film shoot all the images are loaded into Adobe Premiere to be edited and the final film, effects and sounds are added.

The final unit completed in 2021 has been Software Design using Python. The task this year was to create an interactive text-based game or interactive choose your own adventure story. Again, the starting point is working from a written script and adapting that to the code to create the interface.

Vodcast Claymation Claymation

Year 10 Information Software and Technology

The Year 10 boys at St Edward’s have worked through a very difficult period. They, like all the others have had to change and adapt to the content and the timing of tasks. They have handled this well and worked through their units of work. The units have included creating a television advertisement, a 3D design and built catapult and finally, an information kiosk.

Each unit contains a range of skills and has required the boys to use differing pieces of software to create the task. The one constant is always the process that is required to work through a project. It is this methodical approach and consistency of application which forms the basis of the Project Management skills needed in senior school.

The TV advertisements are a very visual medium and the boys needed to think of how the visuals would be compounded with audio and what impact could be created, as the mood can certainly be changed by the audio that accompanies it.

The 3D printing units are always a lot of fun for the boys as many have not done huge amounts of development in this space. The one major lesson that they learn is to check and recheck before printing as the result for skipping this step can be hours of printing and no results. Some great catapults were created from the designs that we saw on paper.

Overall, a great year for the Year 10 class and I wish them all well as they enter senior school and the Stage 6 subjects of Software Design and Information Processes and Technology.

Year 11 Information Processes and Technology

This year saw us cope with a very agile application of learning. This fits well into the program that is taught for Year 11 IPT. We constantly look at the ways in which business can adapt and work. The boys this year have worked in the school setting, home-based learning and then a hybrid approach. We have managed to cover all the content needed and I must say most of these young men worked fantastically well in the home-based learning setting. They attended all classes, followed up on work and worked in the flexible mode that they had to deal with.

The websites they created were excellent considering the fact they needed to add, manage and work on the WAMP servers rather than through the tried-and-true systems we have here at school. They sometimes had to describe and visualise content on the screen where we would normally be working in real time in the classroom. Overall, a job well done.

The second project was to create an interactive “Fractured fairy-tale” which really gave them creative license to recreate many of the stories or fairy tales they had heard as little kids. We had everything from Rumpelstiltskin to Three Little Pigs and of course the usual Little Red Riding Hood. Some very imaginative characters were created and endings that left little to the imagination.

Computing and ICT

The final task was to create a podcast. This is a task not done for several years, and the idea was that the group were from a tech company and needed to discuss a new and/or emerging technology; for example many of the new crypto currencies on the market, Quantum storage networks and even the foundations behind driverless vehicles.

Some great work produced, and the boys picked up a range of skills that will aid them in the push to the HSC year.

Year 12 Information Processes and Technology

Information Processes and Technology (IP&T) is a great grounding for all students wishing to further study all aspects of computing. It is not directed at programmers or graphic artists like some of our other courses. However, it does allow students to see how these fields fit into the jigsaw that is computing. Just a quick snapshot of the areas of study in IP&T include:

• Database Design • Project Management • Information Systems • Communication Systems • Multimedia • Decision Support Systems

The year these HSC students have endured will be one to remember for many years. We had several projects started and needed to be modify to complete or change timelines to ensure that everyone could work in the same manner.

The usual projects were undertaken with a focus going back to St Edward’s campus for the network design and a real push to look at Open-Source technologies to reign in the ever-rising costs of computer systems.

The e-commerce sites for many of the students dropping the course prior to the HSC were left idle like the real-life companies that were being emulated. Many simply walked away and did something else. The Project Management and the process were the focus of the assessments in this case, and we made moves to assess the many skills and content in other ways. A real effort from the boys.

Congratulations to the boys in Stage 6 for accepting the challenges thrown at them, especially those in Year 12. Mrs Saxon and I both hope you have learnt many useful tips and skills for your future career paths.

Vodcast