## Overview This 33-week scheme of work for Year 8 (2nd year) ICT supports students in deepening key digital skills within a structured, practical, and curriculum-aligned framework. Each 40-minute lesson builds progressively on prior knowledge (Year 7) and integrates CBA-aligned mini-projects, focused assessments, and digital citizenship awareness. The plan embeds the Irish Curriculum Framework for Junior Cycle ICT, with explicit reference to learning outcomes in Digital Media Literacy, Information Processing, and Collaboration. --- ## Curriculum Framework Alignment This plan aligns with Junior Cycle ICT Statements of Learning and Key Skills (CSOs), notably: - SOL 4: "Communicate effectively using a variety of digital media." - SOL 6: "Select and use software to create and edit digital content." - SOL 7: "Use a variety of tools and applications to investigate, organise, create, and present information." - SOL 10: "Use technology and digital resources ethically, responsibly, and safely." - Key Skills: Managing Information and Thinking, Using Digital Technologies, Communicating, Being Creative, Working with Others. This plan prepares students for Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) required in Year 3 by scaffolding skills early. --- ## Weekly Breakdown | Week | Topic | Learning Objectives | Practical Activities | Notes/Assessment | |-------|-----------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 | Revision: Outlook Basics | - Manage email effectively using Outlook
- Understand email etiquette and personal organisation | Students configure Outlook (or webmail), send/receive emails, organise inbox folders, practise netiquette | Diagnostic assessment on Year 7 basics via practical quiz | | 2 | Revision: Internet Safety | - Recognise online risks and privacy issues
- Identify safe vs unsafe digital behaviour | Class discuss scenario-based safety cases, complete interactive quiz, create a ‘Top 5 Internet Safety Tips’ poster | Verbal feedback; formative peer review | | 3 | Word Processing Review | - Format documents using styles, alignment, spacing
- Insert and edit images and tables in Word Docs | Students create a one-page assignment report integrating text and images | Teacher checks formatting standards, formative feedback | | 4 | Dictation & Speed Typing | - Use dictation tools effectively
- Improve typing speed and accuracy | Timed Typing Club exercises
Practice dictation to word process | Monitor progress using Typing Club analytics | | 5 | Advanced PowerPoint: Transitions | - Apply slide transitions and custom animations
- Design consistent slide layouts | Mini-presentation creation incorporating transitions and animations | Peer review and feedback | | 6 | Advanced PowerPoint: Multimedia | - Embed audio, video, and hyperlinks into slides
- Manage slide timing effectively | Add relevant multimedia to presentation, practise timing control | Teacher assessment for CBA prep | | 7 | Introduction to Excel Basics | - Understand Excel interface and terminology
- Enter and edit data, use formulas | Create simple tables with input data and use SUM, AVERAGE formulas | Formative quiz on Excel functions | | 8 | Excel Charts: Bar and Pie Graphs | - Create bar and pie charts from data
- Format charts for clarity and presentation | Enter sales or survey data, produce at least two chart types | Mini-project: chart creation from provided data | | 9 | CBA Mini-Project Part 1: Data Gathering| - Plan and collect meaningful data
- Organise data for presentation in Excel | Students select or gather data; input and organise in Excel | Project check-in; teacher feedback | | 10 | CBA Mini-Project Part 2: Analysis | - Use charts and formulas to analyse data
- Draft findings alongside visuals | Complete Excel tables, create charts, begin report drafting | Peer feedback session | | 11 | Microsoft Forms Introduction | - Create quizzes and surveys
- Understand form setting: questions types, branching | Design and share a short survey related to a school topic | Submission of Forms link for teacher review | | 12 | Microsoft Forms Data Analysis | - Access and interpret responses
- Export and summarise data | Analysing survey responses using built-in graphs and exporting to Excel| Formative assessment via short report | | 13 | Canva Overview | - Use Canva tools to design digital posters and infographics
- Apply templates and customise graphics | Design a digital poster promoting digital citizenship | Mini-project start; display final posters in class | | 14 | Canva Advanced Techniques | - Import assets, adjust layers, use grids and frames
- Collaborate on Canva design | Students collaborate in pairs to create multi-page digital brochure | Peer assessment; formative teacher feedback | | 15 | Microsoft Teams: Communication | - Navigate Teams interface
- Join meetings, share files, chat effectively | Simulated group chat and shared file on Teams | Formative digital participation record | | 16 | OneNote: Organising Notes | - Use OneNote for note-taking and organisation
- Share notebooks and collaborate | Create a shared notebook for class notes; embed multimedia | Observe collaboration and content organisation | | 17 | Digital Citizenship: Ethics | - Understand intellectual property and copyright
- Discuss online behaviour and its consequences | Class debate on digital ethics; create ‘Code of Conduct’ poster | Verbal feedback; poster displayed in classroom | | 18 | Digital Citizenship: Data Privacy | - Learn how personal data is used online
- Understand privacy settings on social media | Privacy settings walkthrough; role-play consequences of oversharing | Formative Q&A session | | 19 | Revision Week: Office 365 Tools | - Consolidate knowledge of Office 365 environment and productivity tools | Mixed activities: email, document editing, cloud collaboration | Formative quiz and diagnostic feedback to support learners | | 20 | Mini-Project 2 Introduction: Collaboration Tools and Presentation | - Plan a group research project using Teams and OneNote | Group project: research an ICT topic using online tools | Project planning document submission | | 21 | Mini-Project 2: Research & Drafting | - Use Teams for communication
- Organise notes in OneNote
- Begin drafting presentation | Students allocate tasks, collate research in OneNote | Teacher check-in on progress | | 22 | Mini-Project 2: PowerPoint Presentation | - Design final presentation incorporating multimedia and collaboration tools | Develop slides in PowerPoint with integrated research and data | Peer feedback on draft presentations | | 23 | Mini-Project 2: Presentation Practice | - Rehearse presentations
- Use feedback to improve | In-class presentations in groups with Q&A | Teacher and peer assessment for CBA preparation | | 24 | CBA Project Preparation | - Review criteria for CBA
- Compile and polish final project components | Final edits and project submission plan | Monitoring progress; formative review | | 25 | Assessment Week | - Complete formative assessment tasks aligned with CBA criteria | Practical test involving Excel, PowerPoint, and Forms | Teacher assessment; feedback and support for students | | 26 | Halloween Break (No class) | - Holiday | – | Non-teaching week | | 27 | Microsoft Word: Advanced Formatting | - Use styles, headers/footers, references, and tables | Create document with advanced formatting for report | Formative teacher feedback | | 28 | Typing Club Challenge | - Improve speed and accuracy through gamified typing | Timed typing challenges and progress tracking | Typing level benchmark assessment | | 29 | Excel: IF Statements & Conditional Formatting | - Use IF formula for decisions
- Apply conditional formatting | Create marksheet applying conditional formatting and IF logic | Mini project task | | 30 | Data Protection & Digital Footprint | - Understand GDPR principles and digital footprint management | Case study discussions and create ‘Digital Footprint’ awareness campaign materials | Summative class discussion and activity | | 31 | Canva Infographics Project | - Create infographics using data and icons
- Apply design principles for clarity | Design infographic on a topic such as internet safety | Mini-project submission | | 32 | Final Review & Class Reflections | - Reflect on learning journey
- Self-assess ICT skills and identify strengths and weaknesses | Class discussion, portfolios updated, reflection journaling | End of scheme reflective assessment | | 33 | Year Wrap-Up & Next Steps | - Discuss pathways in ICT
- Set goals for Year 3 and Junior Cycle CBA | Goal-setting exercises; introduction to Year 3 expectations | Teacher feedback and student goal setting | --- ## Notable Pedagogical Approaches - **Active Learning & Peer Collaboration:** Group projects, peer feedback, and collaborative software tools develop critical skills in teamwork and responsibility. - **Scaffolded CBA Preparation:** Mini-projects designed to build necessary skills for Year 3 classroom-based assessments progressively. - **Embedded Digital Citizenship:** Ethics, privacy, and safety topics are regularly integrated to build responsible digital citizens aligned to SOL 10. - **Personalised Progress Monitoring:** Use of Typing Club analytics, formative quizzes, and practical projects to monitor and support all learners. - **Creative Tools:** Students use Canva and Microsoft Forms to encourage creativity and real-world tech proficiency alongside traditional Office products. --- This detailed 33-week plan provides a balanced, engaging curriculum tailored to Irish 2nd year students, ensuring strong foundations for the Junior Cycle ICT syllabus and future digital literacy demands.

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ICT Skills Journey

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