ICT & Computer Science

SPIRITUAL, MORAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ICT AND COMPUTER SCIENCE FACULTY

Spiritual Development in ICT and Computer Science

• Students at Oxted School are reflective on their own and others’ lives and the impact ICT and Computer Science has on this; particular focus is given to the religious and cultural customs.
  
  
• Students discuss the power and limitations that ICT and Computer Science can bring to an individual’s and groups beliefs and how they may conflict with spiritual teachings.
  
  
• Students are encouraged to be reflective and learn from reflection from the position of a particular audience view point as they create a number of promotional products.
  
  
• Students explore the patterns and relationships of data and its collection and use whilst programming data.
  
  
• Students gain an appreciation the innovations achievements of past individuals and understand their struggles and motives in relation to historical attitudes.
  
  
• Students debate and formulate their own set of values and beliefs as they share their own experiences.

Moral Developments in ICT and Computer Science 

• Students investigate ways in which ICT and Computer Science can be used to monitor individuals’ movements and communications. Discussing the implications of the ‘Big Brother’ movements.
  
  
• Students discover and adhere to legislation and codes of practice including acknowledging sources and respecting copyright when developing digital products. Students understand the need for creative content ownership.
  
  
• Students learn about the impact and issues of digital inclusion and the digital divide locally, nationally and globally.
  
  
• Students reflect on accessibility issues when evaluating and developing digital products.
• Students develop their understanding of the development of online communities its implications for an individual’s learning, leisure and social interactions.
  
  
• Students discover how work collaboration can be facilitated through the availability of online work spaces and that the growth of social networking has potential risks as well as benefits.
  
  
• Students debate future developments in ICT and Computer Science and what their impact could be on the following areas: transport, medicine, SEND, Health and Safety, education, entertainment, digital piracy, shopping, marketing and communication.
  
  
• Students explain methods for combating ICT and Computer Science crime and protecting ICT: physical security, firewalls, backup, encryption, biometric security, software patches/updates, ‘anti-virus’ and anti-spyware software.

Social Developments in ICT and Computer Science

• Students will debate the pros and cons of using digital devices within private and public sector organisations.
  
  
• Students discuss and learn about the different security risks to data and how to reduce the risks of security breaches.
  
  
• Students develop and understanding of the causes and implications of unequal access to ICT, such as the Digital Divide.
  
  
• Students study the sustainability issues and ways of minimising the environmental impact of ICT and Computer Science whilst considering the impact of ICT and Computer Science on working practices.
  
  
• Students discover the importance of ethical, environmental and legal considerations when creating computer systems.
  
  
• Students justify the advantages of networking stand-alone computers into a local area network.
  
  
• Students discuss and debate about sources and accuracy of information and are able to select and manipulate information to support sound decision making.
  
  
• Students learn about the importance of data protection and other legislation.
  
  
• Students will learn and understand what is involved in e-commerce, understand the impact of e-commerce on organisations and on society.
  
  
• Students can discuss the main aspects, purpose and implications of legislation such as the Data Protection Act,Computer Misuse Act, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act.

Cultural Developments in ICT and Computer Science

• Students learn, discuss and debate the impact of age, gender and disability on individuals’ choice and use of digital devices.
• Students discuss how the availability of goods and services online can affect lifestyles and behaviour.
• Students consider issues such as changing leisure patterns and work practices, privacy and confidentiality of data held in systems, illegal opportunities for access to information and environmental issues.
• Students discuss and debate the range of services offered by communication services and the impact of these services on individuals, business and organisation.
• Students discuss the impact of Social Media in terms of themselves and others in everyday life.
• Students discuss hardware and software developments that are changing, or might change, the way we live. Such as advances in treating injuries or disease, leisure activities, the environment, the home, education and freedom of speech and movement.