ICT Course - Units of Study for KS3/S1-S3

Animation

Pupils will explore a variety of animation techniques, before using stop-frame & digital animation to create a short film clip featuring an imaginary character. They plan, design and create all aspects of their character’s movement and make them run, jump or even fly across a digital landscape.

Control

Through a range of challenges, pupils develop their computer control skills using a variety of software packages and programmable robots. They will consider the key principles of computer control and how they affect each challenge. Each challenge is designed to demonstrate these concepts in a slightly different format, allowing pupils to develop a broad understanding.

Data Logging & Handling

Pupils use a range of mobile equipment to measure parameters such as heart rate, acceleration and body temperature whilst participating in a wide range of adventure activities. Real and understandable data make the work relevant and important to your group. They can also use the internet to access data from other experiences and to compare their resultswith professional recommendations or suggested targets.

Design

Using their experience of PGL Adventure Activities, pupils conceive and design a new Activity Base. They design a questionnaire for staff and pupils to ascertain current favourites and benefits in order to inform their ideas. They consider possible locations, explore build costs, time and how many people could use the new base. All information is entered onto a database and each group produces a report to include plans, photos and recommendations.

Digital Effects

Pupils are given the opportunity to create either a news and weather report, or to create a superhero themed movie with digital instructors, using ‘green screen’ filming techniques or professional animation software as appropriate. They will add sound tracks and special effects to their finished product, taking a short movie back to school which is ‘ready to view’.

Forecasting

Pupils record weather forecasts for each day they are on site, using a variety of sources such as physical measurements, TV, internet and coastguard and evaluate the presentation methods used. They then present the daily forecast to other guests and staff on site, considering the needs of different audiences; they use poster displays, PowerPoint presentations or even PGL’s own website and evaluate the level of their own accuracy and consider reasons for this.

Graphics

Pupils use their PGL residential experience to create a brochure about the centre, containing news, advice, information and interesting facts, for pupils back at school thinking of visiting PGL next year. They consider the information they will need, source and select appropriate resources and develop a document to suit their audience.

PGLTV

A chance for their ‘fifteen minutes of fame’, this unit allows pupils to create a music video with sound and special effects, working in small teams. They then work as a group to link the separate music videos into a music orientated TV show, which is filmed, edited and is ‘ready to view’. Participants have the opportunity to take a range of roles within the filming and production process.