Report Writing - & Referencing ICT

If you are looking for some guidance when writing reports, the document I've shared with you here will give you some useful snippets of sentences that can be easily infused into a sentence about the use of ICT this year. Also bear in mind the overarching NETS standards if you're looking for something a little more generic in your wording, these are also included here.

As a general guide, there is no need to name the individual tools the students have used, it's not about nouns—whether they have used Pages or Word, it's about verbs, eg word processing, video editing, the five core areas of activity, (creation and consumption). A digitally literate individual could be summed up as someone who has 'VITA D' experience:

Video, Image, Text, Audio, Data

Here are the NETS student standards and the skills matrix we use to reflect on skills coverage by 'traffic lighting', in relation to the NETS standards.

https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students

Primary School ICT Skills Scope & Sequence

Here are some ICT comments you might find helpful, feel free to add yours! These can be pasted into the report writer above, the 'wild cards' are compatible, eg # is replaced by the student's name.

Tips

• There is no need to capitalise 'digital literacy' it is not a subject title it is a form of literacy, so more entitled to caps than its siblings literacy and numeracy.

• Some common errors - even with British spelling, use program when referring to a computer program; not programme. We use the American spelling, because they invented it...

• Please use ICT (Information Communication Technology) or ICTs, or 'digital technologies' instead of IT. IT is completely different, it is the engineering, the function of the machine itself, and the code behind the software; whereas we are primarily concerned with the use of the machine, for communicating understanding. The C , in ICT: http://doverdlc.blogspot.sg/2014/11/technology-it-ict-vs-digital-literacy.html

• If you are going to mention specific tools, you should capitalise them appropriately, eg Google Docs, Pages, Google Apps, MacBook, iPad.

Apps v Applications

Applications are generally assumed to refer to more robust applications that run on a desktop computer, as opposed to the more single function variety you get on an iPad or iPhone. Although... that's not completely accurate, it's more the scope or function of the app that matters. If it's an app that is a single function easily replaceable tool, apps makes sense. Pages is an application, Doodlecast Pro is an App. You don't need to capitalise app, anymore than you would application.

App = Software designed for a single purpose and performs a single function.

Application = Software designed to perform a variety of functions.

http://www.trackvia.com/blog/apps-mashup/apps-vs-applications-whats-difference-does-it-matter

http://www.zdnet.com/article/apps-versus-applications/

technology

tɛkˈnɒlədʒi/

noun

• • • 1. the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.

         1. "advances in computer technology"

            1. • machinery and devices developed from scientific knowledge.

                 • "it will reduce the industry's ability to spend money on new technology"

               • the branch of knowledge dealing with engineering or applied sciences.

• The five core areas of activity, (creation, curation and consumption) in a balanced integrated curriculum can be summed up as VITAD: Video editing, Image editing, Text (Word Processing and Web browsing), Audio (creation and editing), Data Handling (Spreadsheets).

• It's iPad not IPad, and MacBook not Mac.

• It is probably best to use more generic terms like: tablet, mobile device, and laptop, or desktop computer.

This Google Sheet is very handy, make a copy and tweak to your purposes. The reports it generates require very little tweaking to get right, and many teachers have used it and attest to its effectiveness!