This is a first draft , if you have any additions please post them, but an interm attempt to see if the very popular ‘OCR Nationals in ICT’ can be used as a vehicle to deliver the functional skills. The first look at it suggests it can. I am assuming that the FS
are assessed by some sort of test or exam. At my school we would want
to continue to deliver the Nationals as long as possible and the
obvious outcome we would prefer is for the Nationals to re-emerge with FS signposted. This will require additional ‘assessment objectives’ but it does not look too difficult.
Functional Skills in ICT: level 2
| Coverage and range | Examples/applications | OCR Nationals equivalent | |
Use ICT systems |
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1. Select, interact with and use ICT systems independently for a complex task to meet a variety of needs | 1.1. Use correct procedures to start and shut down an ICT system | Log in, log out, use shutdown menu | Not likely to be a problem | |
1.2. Select and use a communication service to access the internet | Broadband, dial-up, network, mobile device | Not likely to be a problem | ||
1.3. Select and use software applications to meet needs and solve problems | Word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, browser, email, audio and video software | Not likely to be a problem | ||
1.4. Select and use interface features and system facilities effectively to meet needs | Desktop, windows, dialogue box, menu, submenu, toolbar, scrollbar, drag and drop, zoom, template, wizard | Not likely to be a problem | ||
1.5. Select and adjust system settings as appropriate to individual needs | Window size, mouse settings, icon size, screen resolution, desktop contrast, volume, date and time | Network permission | ||
2. Use ICT to effectively plan work and evaluate the effectiveness of the ICT system used | 2.1. Use ICT to effectively plan work; review the effectiveness of ICT tools to meet needs in order to inform future judgments | Time, convenience, cost, quality, range of facilities, versatility | NEW DOCUMENT | |
3. Manage information storage to enable efficient retrieval | 3.1. Manage files and folder structures to enable efficient information retrieval | Create, | A01 Create folders | |
3.2. insert, remove, label and store media safely | CD, DVD, memory stick, hard drives | A01 Back up to memory stick | ||
4. Follow and understand the need for safety and security | 4.1. Minimise physical stress | Arrangement of hardware and cables, wrist rests and other devices | NEW DOCUMENT |
4.2. Keep information secure | Keep copies safe, take backups, keep password or PIN secret | A01 Password protest a document, Backup to a memory stick | |
4.3. Understand the danger of computer viruses and how to minimize risk | Use virus-checking software, treat files from unknown sources with caution | A02 email – security - distinction | |
4.4. Understand the need to stay safe and to respect others when using ICT-based communication | Avoid | NEW DOCUMENT | |
5. Troubleshoot | 5.1 Identify ICT problems and take appropriate action | Software | NEW DOCUMENT |
Find and select information |
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1. Select and use a variety of sources of information independently for a complex task | 1.1. Select and use appropriate sources of ICT-based and other forms of information which match requirements | Newspapers, books, images, maps, conversations, CDs, DVDs, text messages, podcasts, web logs, web-based reference sites | A02 Search the web - distinction |
1.2. Recognize copyright and other constraints on the use of information | Music downloads, acknowledgement of sources, avoiding plagiarism, provisions of the Data Protection Act | A02 copyright | |
2. access, search for, select and use ICT-based information and evaluate its fitness for purpose | 2.1. Access, navigate and search internet sources of information purposefully and | Enter a web address, use a search engine, browse, save and use bookmarks | A02 Search the web - distinction |
2.2. Use appropriate search techniques and design queries to locate and select relevant information | Multiple | A02 Search the web - distinction | |
2.3. | Recognise intention and authority of provider, currency of the information, relevance, bias | A02 Search the web (validity) - distinction |
Develop, present and communicate information |
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1. enter, develop and format information independently to suit its meaning and purpose, including: | 1.1. enter, organise, develop, refine and format information, applying editing techniques to meet needs | Organise: structure of information, document layout, headings, subheadings, lists, tables, use of templates edit: drag and drop, find, replace, undo, redo | Word process a document to be the source of a brochure in A04 |
1.2. use appropriate page layout | Columns, margins, header, footer, portrait, landscape, page breaks, page numbering | ||
1.3. enter and format text to maximize clarity and enhance presentation | Bullets, numbering, sub-numbering, alignment, tabs, line spacing, colour, font, style, size | ||
| 1.4. create and format tables to maximize clarity and enhance presentation | Tables: | |
| 1.5. obtain, insert, size, crop and position images that are fit for purpose | Clip-art, photos, scanned images, borders | |
1.6. enter, develop and organise numerical information that is fit for purpose | Cell data types, cell ranges, absolute and relative referencing, formulas, functions, replication, structure and layout of | A05 Spreadsheets
Chart to be used in WP document and exported as a source for DTP | |
1.7. format numerical information appropriately | Currency, | ||
| 1.8. create and develop charts and graphs to suit the numerical information, using suitable labels | Pie chart, bar chart, single line graph, scattergram, title, axis titles, legend | |
1.9. | Spreadsheet or database, use data filtering | A05 Spreadsheet | |
1.10. sort records on one or more fields in ascending or descending order | Table, spreadsheet, database | A06 Database | |
2. bring together information to suit content and purpose | 2.1. bring together and organise components of images and text | Image, chart, text alignment, captions, text wrap, use of text boxes, behind, in front, grouping | A04 DTP |
| 2.2. organise information of different forms or from different sources to achieve a | Poster, newsletter, web page, catalogue, brochure, multimedia presentation | |
3. present information in ways that are fit for purpose and audience | 3.1. work accurately and proofread, using software facilities where appropriate | Ensure meaning is clear, seek views of others, check spelling, check calculations, ensure consistent layout, print preview | |
| 3.2. produce information that is fit for purpose and audience, using accepted layouts and conventions as appropriate | Letter, memo, report, newsletter, brochure, poster, web page, information sheet | |
4. evaluate the selection and application of ICT tools and facilities used to present information | 4.1. evaluate the effectiveness of ICT tools to meet presentation needs | Time | A03 presentation |
| 4.2. | Produce drafts, review against initial plans, check with intended audience | A04 Review of brochure text, include peer review |
5. | 5.1. | Open | A02 email |
| 5.2. Manage efficient storage of ICT-based communications, attachments and | Create and maintain folders, delete redundant messages, add, amend and delete contact | A01 create folders |