While I am off...

*TEST POSTPONED UNTIL I RETURN*

You have one week to produce a 2000 word Report on the following topic:
Compare and Contrast (in terms of features, functions, advantages, disadvantages, costs) 3 different options for each listed below:

• Operating System
• Antivirus Software
• Firewall
• Anti-Spyware

You should explain each term above, identifying why is important for a user before describing the different options available.
Write up your comparison as a Report (Title, Table of Contents, Header & Footer, Section Headings, Captions on images, use text boxes & arrows to label screenshots, use tables & bullet points appropriately, fully justified text, page numbers etc).

You must include information from a source other than the internet. Ask Seamus or Andrew in the school library to be shown the Computing books / magazines where you can photocopy articles to use for your report.

At the end of the Report include an Appendix section.
This should include:

• a list of all websites you downloaded information from, along with the date you visited the site.
• a screenshot of how you used Spellcheck to correct any mistakes in your report.
• a photocopy of material from your additional source (e.g. magazine, book etc)
• How you used Word Count to check your report (work it out yourself!).
  

Your Report must be at least 2000 words & be written in YOUR OWN WORDS.
It must be printed off & spiral bound (ask Mrs O'Carolan /Mrs Foster for help) for Monday 8th (for the START of class - hint: have it printed and bound on Friday).

Today we corrected your homework questions and then covered other aspects of Online Safety.
When online, we talked about:

• Shielding your identity
• Backing up files / folders
• Checking antivirus software levels / operating system updates
• Spyware (e.g. keylogging) & Antispyware software
• Using secure and reputable online traders for electronic transactions.

We did a short revision exercise where everyone identified one thing they had learned over the past few weeks.

I then got you to use a plain text file and edit this in Word, making changes such as:

• add headings
• add a header / footer
• Use Border outlines
• Page Numbers
• Word Art
• Bullet Points & Nested lists / bullets
• Inserting a Footnote
• Using ctrl-F or ctrl-H for Find / Replace
• Using ctrl & right arrow to skip to the end of a word / ctrl shift & right arrow key to highlight a word at once.
• Merging Table Cells
• Full Justification of text
• Changing Line spacing (from 1 to 1.5)

Email and IM Security

Today you were to ensure that the work from the last day (completed Mind Map) has been printed and included in your HBB.
You were shown an additional pdf document in the datapool which must be summarised and inserted into your book for Friday.
This can be handwritten, summarised then printed & stuck in (either PPT or Mind Map).

There were also 2 worksheets to be completed for Friday on the topics we have covered this week.

Protecting your Data (1)

Today you had to read through the notes on 'Protecting your Data' and complete the Mindmap I had started and saved on the Datapool for you.

The Software to be used is in Start > Programs > ICT > Freemind.

You should save a copy of the Mindmap in your area and then complete it, saving as you go along.

When complete you must Export this as an image (File > Export > As JPEG) and then print it so it can be stuck into your HBB.

Summary of the Second Week

On Monday we continued working on the "Using Folders" booklet you were to create.

Wednesday we looked at Compressing / folders, and using this as a means to back up files in a dated backup 'zipped' file.

On Friday you had to create a Powerpoint Presentation on "Computer Security & Privacy" using the notes on the datapool.
This presentation should be printed 6 Slides to a page and stuck into your hardbacked book BY THE END OF CLASS.

There are two Worksheets to be completed for your homework over the weekend.
You were told you can either write out the answers or type / print and stick into your book.

Summary of the First Week (iii)

Today we logged on to the system (known as the Legacy network) and created a folder hierarchy to help organise our work over the coming months.
Within your 'My Documents' area you had to make a folder for 'Applied ICT'.
Inside that you then created folders for 'AS' and 'A2'.
Inside the 'AS' folder you created folders for each module (1,2,3).

You were then asked to take a screenshot of your completed folder hierarchy.

To do this I introduced a graphics package called GIMP.
I showed you how to use the File > Aquire > Screenshot > Window feature to take a screenshot of a selected window only.
I also discussed how to save this as a JPEG file so it takes less storage space.

You were asked to create an 'Archive' folder for your old files from 1st to 5th year.
You had to move all your files into this, and then you can copy them onto a memory stick or CD-r to take home with you, freeing up space for your A level work over the coming months.

I asked you to make a short guide to "Using Folders", in Word, and showed you how to:

• Insert images (Insert > Picture > From file drag over from Explorer)
• Add a caption to the image.
• Use page breaks to start work on different pages
• Use headings to structure your document.
• Use Table of Contents / Figures (Insert > Reference > Indexes and Tables) to list pages and topics in your document.

On Monday you will continue to work on this document, using all of the features mentioned above.

I explained the printing process in my room. I showed you both the Mono (1 credit) & Colour (5 credits) laser printers and explained about printing documents as PDF files.

You had no written homework for over the weekend, but don't get used to this!

Summary of the First Week (ii)

We had an 'ice breaker' exercise to introduce ourselves, where you learned that I won the North West Senior Open Judo Championships 2006 at U81 kilos, among other things!
We watched a video on General PC Security issues, and briefly mentioned issues like anti-virus, firewalls and phishing.
We will cover these issues in greater detail soon.

We also were introduced to the school / C2K Email system.
You had to log in (www.c2kni.net > Learning Services for Schools > Email ) and send me an email.
We discussed the various parts of the interface (inbox, folders, contacts, tasks, calendar) , and what an email was made up of (Address fields: To, CC, BCC. Subject, Attachments & Main Body).

You had to begin creating a simple User Guide for a Y11 pupil, showing them how to use the school email system. You were to take screenshots of the process and then explain these in a Word document.
We didn't get time to finish this, but will return to it when everyone has their web / email access sorted out.

Summary of the First Week

Hi Gentlemen,



We are now a week into the AS Applied ICT course.

Last Friday I outlined the structure of this A level, explaining that I work through Modules 1 & 2 with you, while Mrs O'Carolan takes you for Module 3.



Module 1 is coursework based, where you will build a portfolio of business documents and write a comparative report. We do that after Christmas.



From now to Christmas we cover the Module 2 course. This Module is assessed by a Computer Based Exam in May.

It very practial / skills based so you must learn how to use advanced features in the standard Office packages.



At Christmas you have a mock exam like the 'real thing' you will sit in May.

You were asked to get the following equipment for my class:

• Ringbinder file with polypockets.
• Hardbacked Notebook
• Individual USB memory stick for my class

You were asked as your first assignment to write me a letter.

This letter had to be dated Aug 2008 (in the Future!) and you have just opened your AS exam results. You have received an 'A' grade and are very pleased with yourself.

You write me a letter thanking me for helping you get this grade.

You write one paragraph (200 words) on what YOU DID this year to get that grade (listened in class, brought the right stuff to class, submitted homework on time etc...).

You write another paragraph (200 words) listing all the things I DID to help you achieve an 'A' (listened when you asked a question, explained concepts in different ways to help you understand etc...).

This letter had to be signed by someone at home and brought in to me.