P6 Explain how the final spreadsheet is suitable for the users requirements and purpose

Dear year 12

For P6 you need to look at the spreadsheet that you have created for this unit and:

• assess the functionality of your spreadsheet - does it do what you designed it to do.  If not why not?
• is the spreadsheet suitable for the requirements and purpose that it was designed for. Do not discuss mundane things like the colours used unless they are relevant to a particular design feature e.g. RAG rated or identifying the best top and bottom worst variables!
• Discuss instead why you think your solutions is appropriate and how it can be made more appropriate.

The deadline for this piece of work is Wednesday 25th March 2015

P5

P5 requires you to test your spreadsheet for functionality and purpose and repair any faults documenting any changes made

Is your spreadsheet fit for purpose?

Does it do what it says it should?

Any changes you have made should be documented!

P4 Develop a spreadsheet with a given realisitic data set containing a user interface for data input and and presentation of output data

For P4 learners need to create a spreadsheet to meet the brief outlined in P3.

1. The spreadsheet should contain a user interface for data input and for the presentation of data output.
2. It should contain simple functions and formulae.
3. Data from the spreadsheet will be sorted.
4. The spreadsheet should be formatted to promote ease of use.
5. Learners will have provided either a graph or a chart to present the result / output from the spreadsheet solution.

For level one learners should produce as a minimum a spreqadsheet solution for a brief.  The formulae should include simple functions and formulae some formatting and a basic output to presetn the results / outcome

Checklist of what you need to know is here:

Developing a spreadsheet solution Use spreadsheet software tools and techniques, e.g.: 

● cell manipulation (e.g. entering and editing data, autofilling, replication, conditional formatting (to highlight outcomes)) 

● cell formatting (e.g. colours, shading, merging cells, alignment) 

● data manipulation (e.g. filters, sorts, pivot tables) 

● formulae (e.g. add, subtract, divide, multiply) 

● functions (e.g. sum, average, count and countIF, lookup, index) 

● logical functions (e.g. IF, AND, OR, NOT) 

● data validation 

● relative and absolute cell referencing 

● boxes (e.g. lists, drop-down) 

● data entry forms 

● lookup tables 

● nested IF functions 

● cell protection 

● types of charts and graphs (e.g. bar, pie) 

● chart and graph formatting (e.g. titles, resizing, labels) 

● worksheets (e.g. headers, page breaks, links) 

● conditional formatting 

● named ranges, relative and absolute cell referencing 

● goal seek – what if function 

● macros.

If your lost or confused with any unit click here

A fine revision tool for todays lesson.  Click here 

P3- Produce a design for a spreadsheet

Hi Year 12

the spreadsheet design should have:

• A worksheet structure diagram
• how output data is to be presented
• a test plan

Deadline for P3 is Wednesday 11th February 2015

For those that don't pass at level 2 a level one assessment will require you with guidance to:

• produce a design for a spreadsheet 
• include a worksheet structure diagram

Checklist: Designing a spreadsheet 

Designs include: 

• intended purpose and user requirements 
• design documentation that includes: 
• worksheet structure diagram showing the proposed layout, calculations/processes (e.g. formulae and functions) and data input method (e.g. labeling and row and column use, forms, cell formatting, validation, conditional formatting) 
• user input interface identifying appropriate tools/techniques. 
• user output data (e.g. ideas for presentation showing format(s) and tools/techniques) 
• onscreen user navigation and guidance (e.g. navigation prompts, input messages and validation (including lists)) 
• test plan with test data to test functionality (e.g. test, expected result, actual result) 
• a brief outline of alternative design ideas (e.g. choice of calculations and artistic style of the solution). 

P2 Describe the purpose and user requirements for the spreadsheet

Good morning year 12L2 IT

Designing your spreadsheet

When designing anything you first need to start with a design plan!

Your design should include:

The intended purpose of the user requirements

Design documentation that includes:

• a working structure diagram showing the proposed layout, calculations, processes (e.g. formula and functions) and data input method (e.g. labeling and row and column use, forms, cell formatting, validation, conditional formatting)
• user input interface identifying appropriate tools and techniques
• user output data (e.g. ideas for presentation showing formats and tools and techniques
• onscreen user navigation and guidance (e.g. navigation prompts, input messages and validation (including lists)
• test plan with test data to test functionality (e.g.test, expected results, actual results)
• a brief outline of alternative design ideas (e.g. choice of calculations and artistic style of the solution). 

For L1 pass learners as a minimum should identify the purpose and the user requirements for their spreadsheet design

Deadline date:

Example spreadsheet here - cashflow forecasting that uses the following data here

P1 Explain how spreadsheets are used for two different activities and how the features are used in the spreadsheet

Hi year 12 L2 IT

To complete P1 you need to:

• Start with an introduction - what you set out to do
• What are spreadsheets?
• Then tell me how spreadsheets are designed to work
• Explain the configuration of rows and columns made up of cells.
• Explain what they can produce as outputs
• Explain two uses for the spreadsheet in a practical business environment
• Conclusion - what did you learn from doing this task

Deadline date 14/01/2015

Speadsheets - what are they and what can they do ?

Morning year 12

I have attached an example of a spreadsheet to illustrate your explanation and some typical data that may be used within it here

For those who still need to focus their research about what Spreadsheets are and what they can do click here

The outline of the units we will be studying this year can be found here

Enjoy

Mr T

P2 prepare and apply for at least THREE job roles in the IT or creative computing industires

To PASS P2 you need to do several things:

1. Write a covering letter for each vacancy.  To do this well you will need the JOB DESCRIPTION and PERSON SPECIFICATION from the job advert.
2. Create a TAILORED TWO page CV for each vacancy. This is instead of completing an application form. To find out more click here
3. Complete an interview with confidence for one vacancy.  You will be interviewed for the job by a selection panel of three people.  You decide which job you will be interviewed for.  You will need to provide a summary of the position that you have applied for along with your letter and CV. They will decide if your application was confident. See Mr T for an interview checklist

Deadline date Wednesday 7th January 2014

Checklist to complete P2 

• having identified the three jobs from P1 see if you can print off the job description and person specification
• Create a CV and change it to emphasise the skills, qualifications and experience that you have for each job (3 CVs)
• Write your covering letter applying for each vacancy
• Prepare for an interview with a panel for one of the three jobs
• Give the interview panel a summary of the position a copy of your letter and the CV that you created to go with it.
• Book a time to carry out the interview with at least three days notice ! 

Good luck and do well

Mr T

Unit 25 IT Work Experience - what an opportunity

Dear all
congratulations on getting the previous unti complete before Christmas.

For those striving to get the merit and distinction tasks all completed you have to the 19th.

This week we will start unit 25 all about finding and securing a work placement in the IT Industry.

P1 requires you to ' Use job searching techniques to find at least three suitable job opportunities for IT work experience'.  Typical techniques include - ONLINE searches, searching in the local newspapers and printed press in Shop windows or noticeboards or writing speculative LETTERS to companies to see what opportunities you can create.
Obvious places to start looking could include:

• Employment websites
• Employment agencies
• Company websites
• Publications
• Whats on guides
• Job Centres
• Job match You will need to set up an account to use this!
• Adult learning websites
• QA Apprenticeships
• Apprenticeship websites
• Apprenticeships You will need to set up an account to use this!
• Training providers in Oxfordshire
• Top 50 Training providers
• Internships
• Noticeboards in shop windows
• Personal networks and word of mouth

Can I suggest fro P1 you find one job through each of the three methods and explain how you found it.  Don't forget to print screen the job vacancy into your piece of work

Good luck and enjoy

Deadline Wednesday 17th December 2014

P6 Learners need to explain TWO reasons why their portfolio is suitable for the intended audience and its purpose

Introduction

In this piece of work I will explain the purpose of my portfolio and the intended audience that I designed it for.

The benefits to me of having a digital portfolio are.........

Why use a digital portfolio and what is it suitable for !

• To secure a job interview with potential employers - How?
• University applications can see what you have done!
• Teachers can access your work without having to print it off
• To share ideas and presentations with others
• To share the content electronically (as a link) with others
• Work can be posted to it before the lesson!
• Makes you look more professional
• All work is safe and secure on the cloud
• To secure help with loans, applications and information advice and guidance
• It allows anyone and everyone to see what you enjoy, are good at and like doing and this could also include your favorite music and quotes to inspire others

Q. Why is your portfolio SUITABLE for your intended AUDIENCE and PURPOSE?

Don't forget to talk about design, layout, content, assets

Conclusion

What I learned from doing this task?

For level, as a minimum, learners identify why their portfolio is fit for purpose, for example. "My portfolio is to be part of a job application, so I have included different projects that use lots of different skills and ideas to show everyone what I can do"

Deadline Wednesday 26th November 2014

P5 Learners should test and take appropriate action to ensure that their portfolio is fully functioning

Dear Year 12L2 IT

You are now ready to test your Digital Portfolio

To do this you will need to view it on different platforms

You could try:

• Internet Explorer
• Google chrome
• Safari
• Firefox
• Bing
• IOS or an Apple iPhone or iPad
• Android or Blackberry phone

Evidence - two page report

Front page

Introduction

A two page report showing print screens taken form each platform  - minimum of two platforms

A testing table showing that the website does what you says it will do

Conclusion

Deadline - Wednesday 19th November 2014


For level 1 , as a minimum, learners should test the functionality of their portfolio but will need guidance to do so

P4 Create a functional digital portfolio

Dear Year 12

the next P task for after the holiday is to create the actual functional digital portfolio including 

• the home page and section pages.  This should introduce the learner and the purpose of the portfolio>
• the context pages.  This should include the various assets, commentary to introduce the appropriate assets / content and the links to the appropriate content

Web page should include comments to introduce items of portfolio content and should make some use of multimedia assets.

Level 1 as a minimum, learners should have created, with guidance, a functional digital portfolio including links to some appropriate content

Deadline: Wednesday 5th November 2014

P3 Prepare portfolio content and save in appropriate file formats using folders demonstrating awareness of purpose

Dear year 12 IT

For P3: 

• You should create a folder structure to store the portfolio content files and the web pages.  
• You should ensure that all content is fit for purpose and is in appropriate file formats such as .pdf, .html, .jpg and .mps
• It is essential that all content can be viewed on different systems using freely available software.
• Each item of content should be given an appropriate name.
• For P3 you need to have 3-4 assets for each page that you designed in P2

For level one as a minimum learners should prepare ans save the portfolio content with guidance  

Deadline for P3 is Wednesday 15th October 2014



For M2 Select and refine a range of portfolio content and save in appropriate file format, using a logical folder structure and demonstrating an awareness of the audience.

For M2 learners should refine the folder structure to ensure that it is logical and clear.  You should select suitable content from your work and prepare a range of extracts which give a good overview of your achievements, demonstrating an awareness of the audience. For M2 you need to select your best assets from P3 to display on your digital profile.

Deadline for P3 is Wednesday 15th October 2014

P2 Produce a design document for your portfolio

Good morning year 12

Your next deadline is the 8th October and for this poece of work you will need to create the following:

1. A time line for the project and what you will do during it on a week by week basis
2. A layout or storyboard mapping out the content that you will include and the content which will be a minimum of eight screens!
3. A structure chart that indicates the navigation routes.
4. A list of ready made assets such as text, audio, images and videos and an indication of where they will be located!

The deadline for P2 will be Wednesday 8th October 2014 4pm

Good luck and enjoy

Mr T

P1 Describe the audience and purpose for the design of a digital portfolio

Morning Year 12

Today we will start by sharing our homework ideas

homework

outline your digital portfolio and say what colour scheme and layout you have decided to use?


P1 is asking you to describe the audience and purpose for the design of a digital portfolio

This will be a Word document and will be due in on Thursday.

Don't forget to include:

• A front page - if you cant remember click here
• An Introduction - the purpose of a digital portfolio
• The main design - hand drawn or with print screens
• The target audience - who are you building this portfolio for?

• The software that you intend to use to create it on and why?

Theory that you need to consider to put into P1

What is the purpose of a digital portfolio?

What is a target audience?

What do we mean by design?

I have included some online notes here

Good luck and enjoy

Mr T

Learning Aim A: Understand how the components of technology systems work together

Dear year 12 Level 2

As you are now aware we did not register on the course we hoped to teach you by 31st August so we have changed to a different course instead,

Your new course is a BTEC Level 1  / Level 2 First Diploma in Information and Creative Technology.

It is made up of Two compulsory units either Unit 1 The Online World or Unit 2 Technology Systems. You then have to do Unit 3 A Digital Portfolio and a further option with Mr Williams.

Today we will look at Unit 2 which is externally assessed and you will receive approx 30 hours lesson time which will take you up to Christmas after which you will be entered for the online test.


Learning Aim A: Understand how the components of technology systems work together

This week we will try to understand the features, uses and implications of hardware devices including:

• devices (PC, Server, laptop, tablet, games console and other programmable digital devices
• Input - keyboard, mouse, sensors, touch screen, microphone, scanner, digital camera
• Output device - printers (inkjet, laser, impact), speakers, force feedback devices, actuators, screens, projectors, robot arms, other control devices.
• Storage device - solid state, optical media, magnetic media
• that modern technology devices that are often multifunctional - have both input and output functionality.
• how hardware components and software can be combined to form an automated technology system ( self service checkouts, production line)
• that uses of devices that capture data for automated systems (barcode readers, magnetic strip readers, optical character readers (OCR) optical mark readers (OMR) and radio frequency identification systems (RFID)
• suitable devices to suit the requirements for a specific user and purpose and justify their use 

Homework for Thursday 11th September 2014

Research and explain in less than 250 words the following

Output devices

•force feedback devices,

•actuators,

•other control devices.

Data capture devices

•optical character readers (OCR)

•optical mark readers (OMR) and

•radio frequency identification systems (RFID)

Thats a lot to get through in a week so lets get smart and efficient with our time here!

I hope that you enjoy and do well

Mr T

Unit 1 Communicating in the IT Industry

Good Morning Year 12

this will be the first assignment for this short course of two GCSE's

lets get it sorted!

Some articles in the news will support you with this

• BBC report on small towns and villages in Yorkshire

Discussion for P6 - understand the impact IT has had on our society

Do we really understand the impact IT has had on:

• individuals - young children, teenagers, academics, adults and retired people 
• the local community and 
• society as a whole

Q. Does everyone have equal access to it? Why? What disadvantages does this bring? What are the implications locally, regionally and nationally of this?

Q. What different working practices does the introduction of IT allow?

 

Q. Does the development of IT bring any challenges or difficulties in terms of abuse, theft, bullying and how does society deal with this or does it?

Looking forward to seeing you all shine this year !

Mr T

Unit 3 Computeer Systems

Good morning year 12

This is your last unit that you will be doing with me.  It is a 10 credit unit made up of 7 P tasks, 3 Merit tasks and 2 Distinction tasks and to get onto Level three remember you need to gain a MERIT overall on this course.

Click here for the unit 3 assignment brief.

Click here for the Unit 3 Specification.

For P1 you need to go shopping and identify the components that you will need to build a PC for a friend with a budget of only £700.  To pass P1 you will need to identify ALL the components that will allow this PC to function effectively and state why you picked each component.

For M1 you need to describe the different ways to connect to a computer network.  There are five main ways that will allow you to do this.  Explain the advantage and disadvantage of each.

Now lets get ready to rumble.

Good luck and enjoy

Mr T

P3 M1 D1 For Unit 2 - Working int he IT industry

Good morning year 12

This is the last task for this second unit.  P3 is clearly linked to M1 and D1 so get them all done before the deadline date

P3 Explain the characteristics required for a specific job role deadline 4/12/13

• To achieve this task you need to select a specific job role.  Pick one that you are interested in from the research around P2
• Explain in detail the characteristics required for this job.  This relates to those discussed in P1

To gain a Merit you must have completed all the PASS criteria first

M1 Explain why certain characteristics are important for a specific job role deadline 11/12/13

• To gain the merit you need to show both understanding and as well as knowledge when providing evidence for this task.
• You need to explain WHY the characteristics you have identifies and highlighted in P3 are important.
• The characteristics should cover job related  and general attributes and attitudes 

To gain a distinction you need to have passed all the PASS and MERIT criteria first

D1 Justify a a choice of an appropriate job role for a given set of employee characteristics deadline 18/12/13

• For this final task you need to suggest a job role suitable for a given set of employee characteristics.
• This may be combined with P1. 
• Alternatively you may choose to devise your own set of characteristics for this unit either way you need to give valid reasons for your choice of job job.