Teaching ICT/Computers

siobhan08

What kind of content is taught during computer/ICT classes in secondary schools these days

mtoutlemonde

siobhan08 wrote: »

What kind of content is taught during computer/ICT classes in secondary schools these days

Everything and anything. It could be basic typing/MS Word to coding - it all depends on the qualifications/experience of the IT teacher. Unfortunately IT is used as a timetable filler.

BluesWeeper

basic typing????? omg not surely that, everyone knows a real IT guy or gal never ever types properly ..:D:D

siobhan08

yeah I have pretty proficient in Microsoft office, kinda taught myself photoshop/video editting and did some time on a computer science before dropping out so have some experience in C programming. Currently in a PME but when I finish will only have one subject so was looking at being willing to teach computers to fill my timetable

mtoutlemonde

BluesWeeper wrote: »

basic typing????? omg not surely that, everyone knows a real IT guy or gal never ever types properly ..:D:D

Yeah I'm of the same opinion I had IT classes during my dip and my supervising teacher wanted to keep the first years typing - YAWN!!!! I changed that in my second term with digital stories which the kids loved. I haven't really taught IT since but it is one of my registered subjects. You can only teach IT to first and second years because from Junior Cert, the classes are used for research/projects etc.

mtoutlemonde

siobhan08 wrote: »

yeah I have pretty proficient in Microsoft office, kinda taught myself photoshop/video editting and did some time on a computer science before dropping out so have some experience in C programming. Currently in a PME but when I finish will only have one subject so was looking at being willing to teach computers to fill my timetable

Being proficient in MS Office will be sufficient - it's what's on the ECDL programme - which is being dropped in a lot of schools now because of how expensive it is and you could say out dated. There is a fantastic book Complete ECDL 5 - probably a newer version but it covers everything on ECDL. I have computer science degree - I would avoid C like the plague - brings back memories of first yr IT. If I was to use a programming language - I would probably use Java - not the easiest but its graphical. I have heard Python is easy to use. Students might even be happy with Scratch. Best of luck with PME.

siobhan08

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

Yeah I'm of the same opinion I had IT classes during my dip and my supervising teacher wanted to keep the first years typing - YAWN!!!! I changed that in my second term with digital stories which the kids loved. I haven't really taught IT since but it is one of my registered subjects. You can only teach IT to first and second years because from Junior Cert, the classes are used for research/projects etc.

Would you mind me asking what you studied to be able to register with teaching council for the subject and what you other subject would be.

So is the absolutly no computers studied after 2nd year?
I'm sure they might so it in TY?

mtoutlemonde

siobhan08 wrote: »

Would you mind me asking what you studied to be able to register with teaching council for the subject and what you other subject would be.

So is the absolutly no computers studied after 2nd year?
I'm sure they might so it in TY?

My degree was on the list of registered degrees so I automatically had it added. I wouldn't worry about getting ICT on your cert because its up to the principal of the school to decide what you teach.

I wouldn't say that there would absolutely be no IT after second year because you would be showing them how to present information / tabbing / borders etc. You could also show them research skills and copyright etc.

I wouldn't plan too much for TY. It all depends on the proficiency of the IT teacher but more times than not - the students are gone somewhere else.

siobhan08

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

My degree was on the list of registered degrees so I automatically had it added. I wouldn't worry about getting ICT on your cert because its up to the principal of the school to decide what you teach.

I wouldn't say that there would absolutely be no IT after second year because you would be showing them how to present information / tabbing / borders etc. You could also show them research skills and copyright etc.

I wouldn't plan too much for TY. It all depends on the proficiency of the IT teacher but more times than not - the students are gone somewhere else.

Ok great thanks. With only being able to register one subject I was planning on saying to any potential principal that I would also be interested in teaching ICT to fill up my timetable. Still only in year 1 of my PME at the minute

mtoutlemonde

siobhan08 wrote: »

Ok great thanks. With only being able to register one subject I was planning on saying to any potential principal that I would also be interested in teaching ICT to fill up my timetable. Still only in year 1 of my PME at the minute

It might be an idea if you say it to a principal during teaching practice - you could take some extra classes or 'help' out in classes - then you could use it in interviews etc.

siobhan08

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

It might be an idea if you say it to a principal during teaching practice - you could take some extra classes or 'help' out in classes - then you could use it in interviews etc.

yeah I've been told where my placement is next semester but waiting for the school to contact me to organise an meeting to discuss the timetable etc

spurious

siobhan08 wrote: »

So is the absolutly no computers studied after 2nd year?

There is an optional IT Specialism in the LCA.

Again, depending on the teacher, there can be challenging enough stuff there, or there is Powerpoint and MS Word/Publisher.

Unfortunately the LCA is seen as a joke by some, not least the Department who have done nothing but stymie it from day one.

siobhan08

spurious wrote: »

There is an optional IT Specialism in the LCA.

Again, depending on the teacher, there can be challenging enough stuff there, or there is Powerpoint and MS Word/Publisher.

Unfortunately the LCA is seen as a joke by some, not least the Department who have done nothing but stymie it from day one.

Thank for the info. Yes even when I was at school the LCA was seen as the easy option.

Would I be right in saying that it would be unlikely to get hired if ICT was you only subject. It a subject like CSPE and SPHE that is ued to filled timetables gaps ?

mtoutlemonde

spurious wrote: »

There is an optional IT Specialism in the LCA.

Again, depending on the teacher, there can be challenging enough stuff there, or there is Powerpoint and MS Word/Publisher.

Unfortunately the LCA is seen as a joke by some, not least the Department who have done nothing but stymie it from day one.

Yes it's time the LCA got a revamp. Last year was my first time to teach it and was surprised how outdated it was and the simplicity of the content - nothing challenging for teacher or student. I have not looked at the IT specialism as it probably still uses typewriters:)

mtoutlemonde

siobhan08 wrote: »

Thank for the info. Yes even when I was at school the LCA was seen as the easy option.

Would I be right in saying that it would be unlikely to get hired if ICT was you only subject. It a subject like CSPE and SPHE that is ued to filled timetables gaps ?

There wouldn't be a chance in hell of being hired at second level for ICT alone. Maybe in the future there could be a subject - it is meant to be a short course at junior cycle but can't seeing it at leaving cert for a long long time. If IT is your only subject, you could get some IT in adult education but I rarely see vacancies in my area.

siobhan08

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

There wouldn't be a chance in hell of being hired at second level for ICT alone. Maybe in the future there could be a subject - it is meant to be a short course at junior cycle but can't seeing it at leaving cert for a long long time. If IT is your only subject, you could get some IT in adult education but I rarely see vacancies in my area.

ICT isn't my only subject. I'm doing a PME at the minute in another subject but don't have a second subject so was looking at ICT being my second subject

mtoutlemonde

siobhan08 wrote: »

ICT isn't my only subject. I'm doing a PME at the minute in another subject but don't have a second subject so was looking at ICT being my second subject

Yeah I know you had another subject. I wouldn't go investing money/time trying to get IT onto your cert - I have it and it's pointless. Do the methodology and help out with the IT classes and that should be enough to pick up a few computer classes.

siobhan08

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

Yeah I know you had another subject. I wouldn't go investing money/time trying to get IT onto your cert - I have it and it's pointless. Do the methodology and help out with the IT classes and that should be enough to pick up a few computer classes.

Yeah wouldn't try to get the IT on my cert would just try and get a few classes if I get into a school with my primary subject but need to have a idea of what is expected to be taught.

Sound like ICT in schools need to get a revamp and good structure especially in the digital age we live in now

mtoutlemonde

siobhan08 wrote: »

Yeah wouldn't try to get the IT on my cert would just try and get a few classes if I get into a school with my primary subject but need to have a idea of what is expected to be taught.

Sound like ICT in schools need to get a revamp and good structure especially in the digital age we live in now

Yes I agree as I said it all depends on the qualifications of the teacher.

clairek6

In my time in secondary school in first year we were taught to type and in TY were made retype out the ECDL book because they weren't doing the proper course anymore. I hope this has changed!

mtoutlemonde

clairek6 wrote: »

In my time in secondary school in first year we were taught to type and in TY were made retype out the ECDL book because they weren't doing the proper course anymore. I hope this has changed!

You would be surprised Some teachers don't like change - I could safely say the lady I mentioned before is still doing typing with the first years.

dory

siobhan08 wrote: »

ICT isn't my only subject. I'm doing a PME at the minute in another subject but don't have a second subject so was looking at ICT being my second subject

The principal won't be looking to fill up your timetable though. He/she will be looking to fill up the timetable of those who have CIDs and have to have a certain amount of hours, and therefore they get the fillers. Still, no harm having something else you could offer. Really you need a second subject. I have a very in demand first subject but only got proper hours when I went and did the Oscail course to add another subject.