Computing and IT

Mr D Hamilton BSc, MSc, CEng, MBCS, CITP (Head of Department)
Mrs P Boal BSc

Since ICT is playing an increasingly important part in today's society, it is essential that our pupils are aware of the applications of computers at work, in the home and in leisure time and are able to adapt to developments in information and communications technology. Our society requires individuals to be effective managers of information and to be able to make the best use of hardware and software in working collaboratively in our connected world.

An aim of the department is to provide pupils with the knowledge and understanding and the practical problem solving skills to develop the next generation of hardware and software tools.

Morrison's Academy has been among the first schools to offer new certificate courses in Computing and IS as they have become available. The department has an excellent record of success in SQA presentations. The Head of Department has considerable experience of curriculum development at both local and national levels.

In S1 and S2 the emphasis is on learning by doing. Classes are introduced to a wide range of software applications and taught how to use them in problem solving contexts. From the outset, we stress the importance of analysis, design, implementation, testing and evaluation when devising a solution to a problem. National Qualifications courses in Information Systems are offered to pupils in S3 to S6. In addition, a European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) course is offered to fifth and sixth year pupils; this is a skills-based course leading to a widely-recognised qualification in basic ICT skills. Morrison's Academy is an accredited ECDL test centre.

Courses are regularly updated to reflect the rapid developments in the subject.

Courses

S1 & S2
S1 and S2 classes are timetabled for two periods of ICT per week. The courses follow the national 5-14 guidelines and over the two years pupils study topics in Word Processing, Databases, Spreadsheets, Email, the World Wide Web, Web Page Design, Presentation, Desktop Publishing, Graphics and Programming. The department works in collaboration with the Art department in the Graphics unit in S1.

S3 & S4
Information Systems at Intermediate 2 level is available to pupils in S3 and S4. This course follows on from work done in S1 and S2 and prepares pupils for the study of Information Systems at Higher. The three units making up the course are Using Information, Database Systems, and The Internet.

S5 & S6
Higher Grade Information Systems appeals to a wide range of pupils. The units in the course are Relational Database Systems, Using Information, and The Internet. This leads on to Advanced Higher Information Systems for pupils in S6.

Advanced Higher Information Systems deals in greater depth with Database Systems through the study of Database Analysis and Design, Database Implementation and Testing, and Online Database Systems. The coursework project allows pupils to apply practical skills and knowledge in a complex practical context.

The ECDL course covers seven modules which are Basic Concepts of IT, Using the computer and managing files, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Database, Presentation, Information and Communication.