Welcome to Digital Literacy at Appleton Academy!
We are looking forward to meeting you and working together on exciting projects and courses using the latest hardware and software technology.
What is Digital Literacy?
A 2017 study showed that by 2020, four out of five careers would need skills in either hardware or software. Now we're in 2020, it's probably even higher than that.. I'm sure you'll agree that technology has been even more important than ever this year for obvious reasons and will continue to grow in importance not only for work, but now more than ever, for communication and expression of ideas.
Digital literacy includes a broad range of skills and knowledge that will equip you for both the workplace and the world of the future. Collaborative, industry-linked and fully digital, you will gain a detailed understanding of a range of software packages, hardware devices and professional ways of working. A brand new, ambitious curriculum is in place to support your GCSE option choices, college applications and beyond, from the very start of Year 7. The topics that will be covered in Year 7 are:
1. Basics of Digital Literacy:
Cloud-based working, using Microsoft Office 365 and online applications for collaborative, project-based learning.
E-safety with a focus on safe use of the Internet and the 'Digital Footprint'.
2. Fundamentals of Computing:
Binary and computer coding and designing programs for the BBC Micro:bit computers, in collaboration with the Music department.
3. Graphic Design:
Looking at the principles of successful design, designing and editing graphic products in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, in collaboration with a Leeds-based graphic designer.
What is Digital Literacy?
A 2017 study showed that by 2020, four out of five careers would need skills in either hardware or software. Now we're in 2020, it's probably even higher than that.. I'm sure you'll agree that technology has been even more important than ever this year for obvious reasons and will continue to grow in importance not only for work, but now more than ever, for communication and expression of ideas.
Digital literacy includes a broad range of skills and knowledge that will equip you for both the workplace and the world of the future. Collaborative, industry-linked and fully digital, you will gain a detailed understanding of a range of software packages, hardware devices and professional ways of working. A brand new, ambitious curriculum is in place to support your GCSE option choices, college applications and beyond, from the very start of Year 7. The topics that will be covered in Year 7 are:
1. Basics of Digital Literacy:
Cloud-based working, using Microsoft Office 365 and online applications for collaborative, project-based learning.
E-safety with a focus on safe use of the Internet and the 'Digital Footprint'.
2. Fundamentals of Computing:
Binary and computer coding and designing programs for the BBC Micro:bit computers, in collaboration with the Music department.
3. Graphic Design:
Looking at the principles of successful design, designing and editing graphic products in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, in collaboration with a Leeds-based graphic designer.
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Meet the team
There are two digital literacy teachers and we have our own computer suites, each with 30 super-fast PCs. As well as these, we have filming and photography equipment, digital art equipment and the BBC Micro:bit mini computers. We use the Adobe Creative Cloud professional software suite as well as Microsoft / Office 365 and Teams.
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Mr Halston "Hi everyone I'm Mr Halston, leader of digital literacy at Appleton. I've been here for 10 years now, which sounds like a long time, but it feels like a new job each year. This year I am excited for the new technology and ways of working we have in store for you as well as the fun and creative topics. When I was your age we had just got a brand new Apple Mac room and it inspired me to work with computers for my career. I studied computer animation at University, ran an animation and video production company and then trained as a teacher. I love creating artistic and professional products with computers from 2D art, games design and animation to photography and film editing. I also love playing guitar and fixing up my old sports car in my spare time: we are definitely the coolest department at Appleton.." Mr Saleem "Hi, my name is Mr Saleem and I teach digital literacy at Appleton Academy. I’ve been here for a year now which has flown by. I’ve spent the last 3 years teaching in the Middle East which was a working holiday because it was sunny all the time. We didn’t have a super-fast internet or high tech computers when I was your age but I was always fascinated by how they made something so small do so many things. I also studied Computer Animation at University same as Mr Halston and then spent another year training to become a teacher. I love creating games as well as playing games and I also love editing photos and creating websites. I like to play a lot of sports and go to the gym in my spare and I am currently trying to learn to play piano." |
What can you do right now to be ready for Y7?
As part of the KS3 digital literacy curriculum, we are aiming for all students in Years 7-9 to complete the Duke of York's 'iDEA Award' to bronze level. This recognised award is similar to the well known Duke of Edinburgh's award, but focuses on digital skills that employers are looking for in the next generation of workers. The bronze award is made up of many 'badges' - fun, interactive activities that can be completed on any device with a web browser and internet connection. The award is open to people of all ages, so you are welcome to sign up yourself! Please watch these two short videos that explain more about the award and instructions to sign yourself up.
As part of the KS3 digital literacy curriculum, we are aiming for all students in Years 7-9 to complete the Duke of York's 'iDEA Award' to bronze level. This recognised award is similar to the well known Duke of Edinburgh's award, but focuses on digital skills that employers are looking for in the next generation of workers. The bronze award is made up of many 'badges' - fun, interactive activities that can be completed on any device with a web browser and internet connection. The award is open to people of all ages, so you are welcome to sign up yourself! Please watch these two short videos that explain more about the award and instructions to sign yourself up.
Sign-up instructions for mobile/tablet and laptop/PC
Please note the following key information:
Students will be given an Appleton username/password in Year 7 (Year 6 Appleton primary details will be carried forward). The username/email format for this Year 7 is the number 12, then first initial, then surname @appletonacademy.co.uk. So for example, if I were about to start Year 7, I would be 12shalston@appletonacademy.co.uk. Please use this format of email address when signing up to the award.
Parents/carers: If you do not have an active email address, then please use idea@appletonacademy.co.uk as the parent's address when signing up.
Which badges should you do?
If we do some badges as homework in Year 7-9 then they will go along nicely with the topics you will study. These badges are highlighted in green. So, if you leave those and do as many of the others as you can before September, great! Don't forget, your parents can sign up to iDEA as well, it's for all ages. So if you think they could help or if you think maybe they need to improve their digital skills, ask them to sign up too!
Best of luck with that and we look forward to seeing you soon!
If you have any questions about the curriculum, iDEA award or anything else related to digital literacy, please feel free to email us at digitalliteracy@appletonacademy.co.uk.
Kind Regards
Sam Halston and Faizan Saleem
If you have any questions about the curriculum, iDEA award or anything else related to digital literacy, please feel free to email us at digitalliteracy@appletonacademy.co.uk.
Kind Regards
Sam Halston and Faizan Saleem
