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Operating with ICT

The following relates to the QCAR cross-curriculum priority: By the end of Year 7 students use a range of advanced ICT functions and applications across key learning areas to inquire, create, collaborate and communicate and to manage information and data.

By the end of Year 7 students:

Operate ICT efficiently and safely; they:

  • have keyboard proficiency including the use of shortcuts for copying, cutting and pasting
  • independently use a range of input, output and storage devices for specific curriculum purposes
  • transfer and process information from one ICT application and environment to another
  • independently select and use appropriate devices for specific tasks
  • use a scanner to create a digital file from a hard copy image
  • use a digital camera, including changing image resolution and setting image effects
  • use a digital video camera to create and edit recordings
  • independently use school printers by making appropriate selections prior to printing, such as selecting the number of copies, page range and paper orientation

Navigate software and virtual environments; they:

  • differentiate between software types and select appropriate programs to undertake specific curriculum tasks
  • select and use navigation features within learning objects, software, simulations and websites
  • use spreadsheet functions to create tables; record, sort, calculate and present data; identify trends; and to perform simple mathematical operations
  • use concept mapping software to plan projects, record ideas and organise main ideas and supporting details and to present research findings
  • use formatting, editing and layout options in word processing software to manipulate content appropriate to text type

Use ICT to manage, store and retrieve information and data; they:

  • manage and transfer data between school and home electronic environments
  • organise electronic folders and files in a clear, logical structure enabling the efficient retrieval and saving of files
  • recognise different file types
  • know limitations of file size for email attachments
  • know the memory capacity of storage devices
  • implement a set of backup procedures for personal data

Reflect on operating ICT; they:

  • reflect on how ICT devices can be used to complete a task more effectively
  • justify the choice of using a particular ICT device
  • describe the importance of using meaningful file names

Operate ICT efficiently and safely

Examples of how ICT can enhance learning Key learning area Sample resource

Use GPS devices and GIS software to compare elements within different environmental locations. For example, create weather maps; examine the link between high density residential areas and natural resources; and plot location of litter in the school grounds.

SOSE: Place and space; Science: Earth and beyond

 

 

 

Insert and edit digital images to accompany text for use in a class newsletter.

Technology: Technology as a human endeavour

 

Scan hard copy photos into a word processed document to create a photo journal/biography of an older family member.

English: Writing and designing

 

Use digital microscopes to view and capture images of small materials, living and non-living. For example, examine and compare specimens and investigate their ability to survive and adapt to their environment.

Science: Life and living; Primary connections: Marvellous micro-organisms

 
As part of an environmental impact study, use sticky tape to capture particles found in the air at various locations. Use a digital microscope to examine the particles to compare pollution levels.

Science: Science as a human endeavour

 
Use an interactive whiteboard to demonstrate music scores and music compositions using Sibielus or Finale software.

The Arts: Music

 
Use a digital microscope to examine evidence at a crime or mess scene as part of a forensic science unit.

Science: Natural and processed materials; Life and living; Primary connections: Change detectives

 
Design and construct a robot that has the ability to move in different directions and at different speeds.

Technology: Technology as a human endeavour; Science: Energy and changes; Primary Connections: Forces and motions

 

 
Use a data logger to record temperatures at various locations throughout the school. Analyse the data to support or reject predictions. Present the argument to peers as an oral.

 

Science: Earth and beyond; Thinking scientifically; English: Writing and designing

 
Create a documentary about a local environmental issue using a digital video camera and video editing software. Use the information in a mock Legislative Assembly Debate.

SOSE: Place and space, political and economic systems; The Arts: Media; English: Speaking and listening

 
Use Global Input Method Editiors for Mandarin and Japanese to input text into documents.

LOTE

 
Use accent keys to type French, German and Italian.

LOTE: Intercultural investigations

 
Conduct a web conference with students in a different country.

 

 
Download foreign language conversations and music using MP3 players.

LOTE

 
Insert and edit digital images and extracts from film clips to accompany text for a blog to communicate with foreign students. Images and film clips can be found at The Learning Place, Curriculum Exchange.

LOTE

 
Use digital voice recorders to record an interview with a refugee or migrant about the hardships and issues they face living in a new country.

SOSE: Culture and identity; English: Speaking and listening

 
Use digital video recorder and Windows Movie Maker to create a promotional video of the target country capital city.

LOTE

 
Use digital camera to capture changes to yeast over time.

Science: Life and living; Primary Connections: marvellous micro-organisms

 
Take photos of leaves found around the school ground and use concept mapping software to create a dichotomous key highlighting the types of leaves.

Science: Life and living

 

 

Navigate software and virtual environments

Examples of how ICT can enhance learning Key learning area Sample resource
Use the library catalogue database to locate resources quickly and efficiently.

 

 
Locate new words, double-check their meaning using online tools

English: Reading and viewing

 
Create an e-card to send to an international pen pal for New Year and/or birthday celebrations.

 

 
Use Postcard Creator to create a digital postcard to send to a target country friend.

LOTE; English

Read Write Think

Record intercultural reflections using a digital journal to progress learning.

LOTE

 
Examine search engines and search tools within websites, RSS Feeds and blogs to learn about new ICT operations.

 

 
Design a maths investigation to address a specific issue or concern and use spreadsheet software to represent data gathered. Present several course options to peers, conduct a survey and display information graphically.

Maths: Chance and data

 
Locate various landmarks for a specific country or capital city using Google maps.

SOSE: Place & Space
LOTE

 
Use a spreadsheet to create a line graph to represent data gathered from the Candle Capers investigation.

Maths: Chance and data: SOSE

 
Create a digital mind map to indicate the relationship between age, gender and expectations for roles within a household.

Intercultural investigations

 
Develop a concept map to show classification of changes (physical or chemical) as part of the Learning Federation change detectives unit.

Science; Primary connections- Change detectives

Learning Place
Use a spreadsheet to solve mathematical problems in pre-algebra and algebra activities. For example, enter formulas and add values to solve problems.

Science: Energy and change; Primary Connections: It's electrifying

 
Utilise word processing software to create labelled circuit diagrams and label cut-away diagrams of torches.

Science: Science as a human endeavour;

 
Create a digital timeline to show the life history of Alessandro Volta.

Science: Natural and processed materials; Primary Connections; Marvellous micro-organisms

 
Use concept mapping software to create a flow chart depicting the bread-making process.

Science: Energy & Change

 
Determine the current in a series of electric circuits using the Wiring circuits learning objects series. Explore the effects of switches and breaks in the circuit and relate circuit diagrams to actual circuits and see how circuits can be modelled by water flow.

Maths: Number

 

Use the Learning Federation's Swamp survival thousandths challenge learning object to compare and order decimal fractions.

Create tables, insert columns and rows, merge and split cells and insert text within tables. For example, create a timetable of events to be held at a cross-country or athletics carnival.

Use publishing software to create a poster to convey an important message to peers.

Health and Physical Education: Personal development

Learning Place
Develop a website to present information about a famous composer/musician. Create a sitemap using concept mapping software to visually organise webpages and page content.

 

The Arts; Music: Technology: Technology as a human endeavour: English: Writing and designing

Learning Place

Use ICT to manage, store and retrieve information and data

Examples of how ICT can enhance learning Key learning area Sample resource

Use a consistent method for citing electronic resources.

Implement a logical system for organising personal files into folders and sub-folders.

Identify the function of a file by its extension For example, interpret the acronyms used to define files - html, jpeg, pdf, doc, Book1.xls, Publication1.pub

Consider that computer files all have a name, location and length.

View an email inbox and examine the size of each email. Open the largest email. Discuss: Why do these emails take a long time to download? Why do they take up so much space? Share strategies to prevent large emails being sent.

Predict what will happen to the size of a document if a photo was inserted. Locate a personal folder within the folders column and click on it. Details of the folder will be displayed in the right hand column. Go up to view and select the 'Details' option. Browse the contents of personal folder, noting the name, size of document, document type and date it was modified. Return to View and select 'Arrange icons by...' and arrange the icons by size. Predict what would happen if a photo was inserted into one of the documents. Insert a photo and discuss predictions.

Find out: How many bytes in a kilobyte? How many kilobytes in a megabyte? How many megabytes in a gigabyte?

    

 

Reflect on operating ICT

Examples of how ICT can enhance learning Key learning area Sample resource

Examples of reflective statements made by students:

  • " I used the scanner to scan my baby photos into my autobiography. With the digital copies I can crop them and re-size them."
  • "We needed to use the digital voice recorder to record the interview otherwise we would not have remembered all of the responses."
  • "I saved my report into my science folder but I forgot to name it so I had trouble finding it again."
    

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Creative Commons License - Attribution CC BY

Last reviewed
06 March 2012
Last updated
06 March 2012
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