Removing barriers to progress in ICT – internet literacy

The 'finding information' area of the curriculum and accompanying learning objectives in the Framework for ICT is potentially a large section of any Key Stage 3 plan. To help provide coherence and a useful introduction the following plan seeks to develop areas from using data and information sources and searching and selecting, as well as evaluating work. Aspects of functional skills also feature in the plan. Organising and investigating is covered in a separate plan.

Medium term plan – internet literacy

This medium term plan is designed for pupils in Year 7 and shows how teachers may structure a unit of work about finding information and specifically those areas linked to using the internet effectively. The context is Global warming, but the learning is concerned with developing ICT capability and any context could be substituted.

Resources for this plan are also provided in the Internet literacy resources download.

Video clip 1: Subject leader discussing an approach to handling data

Lesson 4 episode 3: Copyright

Lesson 4 episode 3: Issues of Copyright is a crucial episode in this lesson as this is the point at which the main learning will take place. It is based on using a constructing meaning learning model, with elements of cognitive conflict within the episode. The resources for this episode are provided with the medium term plan.

The following video clips illustrate how this section of the lesson unfolds.

Video clip 2: Copyright images in ICT

Teacher checks existing knowledge by linking to prior learning on images in a previous topic. Skilful questioning and thumbs up, thumbs down to establish new learning by the group. Checks misconceptions and reinforces understanding of new learning.

Video clip 3: Teacher sets up group work for ICT discussion

The teacher sets up the group work task.

• Video clip 4: Group one roles (police) in ICT
• Video clip 5: Group two roles (ISP) for ICT
• Video clip 6: Group three roles (famous singers)
• Video clip 7: Group four roles (teenagers)
• Video clip 8: Group five roles (new performers) for ICT
• Video clip 9: Group six roles (Music shop owners)

These illustrate pupil discussions in the six separate groups, as they act in the different roles of police, internet service provider, new performers, famous singers, music shop owners or teenagers.

The group work activity enables different levels of guided group work. Rather than using different levels of handouts, the scaffolding is provided by differentiated levels of support, always skilfully ensuring that the element of the law is reinforced. There is considerable 'cognitive conflict' as pupils have to take on board views which are opposed to their own, forcing them to rethink, refute and express their views.

• Video clip 10: Question time
• Video clip 11: Reinforcing learning using videos in ICT

The use of the expert panel enables the teacher to check knowledge and understanding by the class. The plenary further reinforces and checks learning by taking the knowledge and understanding by using video as the media.