The National Curriculum online
1) Choose subject : *

2) Choose key stage : *

3) Choose section : *
ICTYou are here : Home > ICT > Programme of study | key stage 3Help

PROGRAMME OF STUDY

Knowledge, skills and understanding

 During key stage 3 pupils become increasingly independent users of ICT tools and information sources. They have a better understanding of how ICT can help their work in other subjects and develop their ability to judge when and how to use ICT and where it has limitations. They think about the quality and reliability of information, and access and combine increasing amounts of information. They become more focused, efficient and rigorous in their use of ICT, and carry out a range of increasingly complex tasks.

Finding things out

1)  Pupils should be taught:
a)  to be systematic in considering the information they need and to discuss how it will be used

Note


b)  how to obtain information well matched to purpose by selecting appropriate sources, using and refining search methods and questioning the plausibility and value of the information found

links to other subjects> En2 Reading 1) a 
 En2 Reading 1) b


c)   how to collect, enter, analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative information, checking its accuracy  [Marks the start of supplementary information for example, carrying out a survey of local traffic, analysing data gathered in fieldwork Marks the end of supplementary information] .

Developing ideas and making things happen

2)  Pupils should be taught:
a)   to develop and explore information, solve problems and derive new information for particular purposes  [Marks the start of supplementary information for example, deriving totals from raw data, reaching conclusions by exploring information Marks the end of supplementary information

b)   how to use ICT to measure, record, respond to and control events by planning, testing and modifying sequences of instructions  [Marks the start of supplementary information for example, using automatic weather stations, datalogging in fieldwork and experiments, using feedback to control devices Marks the end of supplementary information

c)  how to use ICT to test predictions and discover patterns and relationships, by exploring, evaluating and developing models and changing their rules and values

d)   to recognise where groups of instructions need repeating and to automate frequently used processes by constructing efficient procedures that are fit for purpose  [Marks the start of supplementary information for example, templates and macros, control procedures, formulae and calculations in spreadsheets Marks the end of supplementary information] .

Exchanging and sharing information

3)  Pupils should be taught:
a)   how to interpret information and to reorganise and present it in a variety of forms that are fit for purpose  [Marks the start of supplementary information for example, information about a charitable cause presented in a leaflet for a school fundraising event Marks the end of supplementary information

links to other subjects> En2 Reading 4)


b)  to use a range of ICT tools efficiently to draft, bring together and refine information and create goodquality presentations in a form that is sensitive to the needs of particular audiences and suits the information content

c)   how to use ICT, including email, to share and exchange information effectively  [Marks the start of supplementary information for example, web publishing, video conferencing Marks the end of supplementary information] .

Reviewing, modifying and evaluating work as it progresses

4)  Pupils should be taught to:
a)  reflect critically on their own and others' uses of ICT to help them develop and improve their ideas and the quality of their work

b)  share their views and experiences of ICT, considering the range of its uses and talking about its significance to individuals, communities and society

c)  discuss how they might use ICT in future work and how they would judge its effectiveness, using relevant technical terms

d)  be independent and discriminating when using ICT.


Top of page

Breadth of study

5)  During the key stage, pupils should be taught the  Knowledge, skills and understanding  through:
a)   working with a range of information to consider its characteristics, structure, organisation and purposes  [Marks the start of supplementary information for example, using database, spreadsheet and presentation software to manage membership and finances of a club and present the annual report Marks the end of supplementary information

b)  working with others to explore a variety of information sources and ICT tools in a variety of contexts

c)   designing information systems and evaluating and suggesting improvements to existing systems  [Marks the start of supplementary information for example, evaluating a web site or researching, designing and producing a multimedia presentation for a science topic Marks the end of supplementary information

d)  comparing their use of ICT with its use in the wider world.


Top of page