ICT in the Rose Review of the National Curriculum
I wrote this document in May 2009. Since then, the proposed Level Descriptions have been changed. Here is a summary of the differences between this document and the revised changes, not in terms of the descriptors themselves, but my comments on them. Basically I have taken the view that a difference is only a difference if it makes a difference, so if the proposed level descriptor has changed, but its import hasn't, I haven't commented on it. In fact, as far as I can tell only two of the level descriptors have changed, and then only slightly.
Although this post is clearly aimed primarily at colleagues in England and Wales, it may be of interest to teachers from other countries too, as it shows what we're expecting young people to be able to do at different ages.
Also, it covers the whole of the programme of study for ICT, not just primary.
Anyway, here is a summary of the changes:
| Level | Changes in New Descriptor? | Comments on Changes |
| 1 | Yes - shorter | None |
| 2 | Yes - shorter | None |
| 3 | Yes - the reference to editing and formatting has been removed | It's now quicker to read, but I think it has lost some of its clarity |
| 4 | No | Not applicable |
| 5 | No | Not applicable |
| 6 | No | Not applicable |
| 7 | No | Not applicable |
| 8 | No | Not applicable |
| Exceptional Performance | No | Not applicable |
The level descriptors are © 2009 QCDA Copyright. I have reproduced them here in accordance with the QCDA's terms.
Terry Freedman, Educational ICT Consultant
Oops!
Chris Padden has kindly pointed out to me that the Programme of Study for ICT is different in Wales. He pointed me to this assessment grid. There are further documents on the Welsh Assembly Government website.
Reader Comments (4)
very interesting, though could you tell me what ages these levels are aimed at just im in Scotland and have been doing a lot of reading on the new Scottish Curriculum http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence/technologies/index.asp and it would be interesting to see how they compare for the same age ranges. Also is there any mention of computing/computing science rather than ICT. I know in the new curriculum for excellence that a point is made of distinguishing the two.
Thx for yr comment, Amanda, and for the link.
Ages and Stages: http://www.planet-science.com/text_only/parents/school_pack/03_ages_keystages.html
ICT and Computers Studies: no, CS has disappeared, apart from vestiges seen in the sequencing part of the curriculum. However, there is a bit of a rearguard action:
http://www.computingatschool.org.uk/
Very interesting stuff. Firstly, thanks Terry for the comment on this review. I look forward to your latest reflections. trying to think very practically about how teachers will be able to juggle facilitating both discreet and embedded ICT it seems to me that the class 'trip' down the corridor to the ICT suite has to be a thing of the past. No matter how it is dressed up. Bringing a trolley of laptops or netbooks (or any other device for that matter) into the classbase is the same thing. When planning the curriculum and specifically the mechanics of delivering it schools SLTs need to think around learners needs not the age group of the class they are in. So, instead of taking thirty kids 'to the suite' and delivering a differentiated lesson around a collective skill(s) it woudl surely seem to make much more sense to gather together the learners from all cohorts who require the same or similar skills developing and focussing on them as a group. This is surely going to prove more effective over a shorter time, improve progress and make better use of resources. Of course some small schools ahve been doing this in finitum because they have had to - maybe they have a role to play here in educating us all?
Submitted by Jonathan Sly
Thx for yr post, Jonathan. I disagree about computer suites and laptop trolleys. I think they are very efficient means of teaching or facilitating the use of ICT with many pupils at once. Listen to Ophelia Vanderpuye's views too, here:
A Visit to Oakington Manor Primary School:
http://www.ictineducation.org/home-page/2009/12/9/a-visit-to-oakington-manor-primary-school.html
Cheers
Terry