[Year 12 IPM] Year 7 Computing

[Donna Benjamin]

Recent postings reminded me of this thread from last year. I hope you
won't mind too much me reposting these witty words from Mr David Dimsey.

-------- Forwarded Message --------
From: David Dimsey <david.dimsey at geelongcollege.vic.edu.au>
Reply-To: IPM List <ipm at fhc.vic.edu.au>
To: IPM List <ipm at fhc.vic.edu.au>
Subject: Re: OT Year 7 Computing
Date: Tue, 07 Sep 2004 16:47:55 +1000

Frank -
I think that you should re-evaluate the Year 7 English program, and
float the suggestion that they give up the 5 periods a week currently
allocated to English. The idea, of course, is that the important skills
could be covered in other KLA areas.
If IT skills can be taught in other KLA areas by teachers untrained in
IT, then surely English skills can be covered in the same way (better,
perhaps - the average IT teacher's English skills are probably higher
than the average English teacher's IT skills; all IT teachers have
passed Year 12 English, whereas very few English teachers have passed
Year 12 IT). If IT skills are important enough to be included in the
curriculum at all, then IT deserves its own time allocation, and should
be taught by specialist IT teachers. 

I think part of the problem is the view that "IT is a tool" or "the
computer is just a tool". You can make exactly the same statement about
English (a tool for communication, entertainment, or expression) or
Mathematics (a tool for numerical calculations and analysis) or History
(a tool for understanding human behaviour).
As we all know, the successful use of IT (checking email, using the
Internet, creating word-processed documents, whatever) requires a
particular mindset - thinking about information and data in digital
terms - an understanding of how digital information is structured and
manipulated, extensive training and practice in the tools and techniques
of IT, and a particular vocabulary. Much like Science or Mathematics in
many ways - each of which have a curriculum allocation and specialist
teachers. (I would also suggest that IT will play as important a part in
our students' lives as science or mathematics).
The suggestion that Excel skills, for example, "should be reinforced
and extended by the teacher whose curriculum requires them" is perfectly
valid, in exactly the same way as writing skills should be reinforced
and extended by the teacher whose curriculum requires them. But this is
not to negate the place of specialist classes in the discipline (IT or
English) conducted by specialist teachers.


David Dimsey
Director of Learning Technologies
The Geelong College
Talbot St
Newtown VIC 3220
ph:  (03) 5226 3173
fax: (03) 5222 4046
david.dimsey at geelongcollege.vic.edu.au
www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au
> 
> >>> frankm at sjcs.melb.catholic.edu.au 7/09/2004 2:47:54 pm >>>
> Dear Colleagues,
> We are currently re-evaluating our Year 7 Computer Studies programme. A
> suggestion has been floated that the Technology faculty gives up the 2
> periods/week/semester we currently allocate to Computer Studies in Year
> 7 in favour of another KLA area. The idea is that the important skills 
> ould be covered in oter KLA areas. Of course from year 8 students can
> select IT units as part of our vertical curriculum structure.
> 
> I was wondering what experiences other schools have had with this
> approach. For example, if Computing skills are to be taught in other
> KLAs, are they being taught "properly"? How have other KLA programmes
> adjusted to integrate IT into their programmes?
> 
> Regards,
> 
> 
> ---
> Frank Merlino
> St. Joseph's College
> 135 Aphrasia St
> Newtown, Geelong, Vic
> Australia, 3220
> (03 52 268100)
> 
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