Banksia Secondary College

1997 Computer Studies Report

Staff

John Zafiropoulos
Frank Ferretti (taught Computer Studies 1 for the first time in semester 1)
Elizabeth Whitchurch (computer technician - second half of semester 2)

Equipment

F10:

  • 24 Mac Classics
  • 2 Colour Mac's (one is attached to a TV screen for demo purposes)
  • 5 printers (4 dot matrix, 1 ink jet)
  • 2 PC's (a 286 and a 386 DX) attached to a colour ink jet printer

    Staff room:

  • 1 Power Mac attached to a colour ink jet printer
  • 1 older colour Mac (File server) to run the network in F10
  • 4 laptops

    F11:

  • 11 Power Mac's
  • 8 older model Mac's (3 colour, 1 SE 30, 4 Classics)
  • 3 printers (1 dot matrix, 2 ink jet )

    Subjects taught / software used

    Y10 Computer Studies 1

  • word processing
  • database
  • spreadsheet
    MS Works 3.0 / 4.0
  • manipulating clip art --> MacPaint

    Y10 Computer Studies 2

  • BASIC programming --> MS Quick BASIC
  • Logo programming --> Terrapin Logo
  • Pascal programming --> Think Pascal 4.0
  • WEB page creation --> HTML

    Y11 Information Technology

  • word processing --> MS Word 5.1 / 6.0
  • database --> MS Works 3.0 / 4.0
  • spreadsheet --> MS Works 3.0 / 4.0
  • multimedia --> HyperCard

    Y12 Information Technology (IPM)

  • database --> FileMaker Pro 2.1 / 3.0
  • spreadsheet --> MS Excel 4.0 / 5.0

    Y12 Information Technology (Systems)

  • BASIC (structured) programming --> MS Quick BASIC
  • HyperTalk programming --> HyperCard

    Professional Development

    Throughout the year I provided informal PD to several staff.
    I attended the Learning Technologies Expo in September, and the Comview Conference later in November, for extensive PD.

    Some Highlights

    The faculty has continued to attract a large number of students at all levels.

    Semester 1 Semester 2
    Year 10 50 26
    Year 11 33 25
    Year 12 12 12

    Several Year 12 students also achieved A or A+ results for their CAT's.

    The two computer rooms continue to be used extensively by other classes and by students at recess, lunchtime and after school. During non-timetabled classes the students are often not under direct supervision and its pleasing to note that most of the students do look after the equipment.

    The laptop programme continues to be popular with the Year 12 students, who borrow them overnight to complete work requirements and CAT's. Unfortunately the four laptops are ageing and breaking down more regularly.

    A group of Year 11 students visited CIGWELD recently to see their computer technology. This ranged from their ancient 1970's IBM mainframe to their modern state of the art $80,000 CAD work stations. Another Year 11 group will be visiting Australia Post to see their mostly automated mailing centre.

    Many Year 11 and 12 students have also organised their own direct contact visits to gather information at such places as the Electoral Commission, the High Court of Australia, Ericsson, and Telstra.

    The Year 10 students will be visiting the Computer Show later in the year.

    Another five Power Mac's (ethernet ready for networking) were purchased recently, and this brings the total number of this type of machine to 11 in F11. One also has video-in capabilities, which allows you to include video clips as part of your multimedia project.

    During this term VEP funds will also be spent on connecting at least one computer to the internet in the F10/F11 area.

    Displays are regularly updated and students are also encouraged to collect items of interest to place on these as part of their media watch reports.

    The Year 10 computer courses have been adjusted to follow the CSF. That is, they now include design briefs which require students to investigate, design, produce and evaluate solutions to given problems.

    Wish list

  • The upgrading of our computer equipment at a quicker pace than is occurring at the moment, otherwise we will be excluded from being able to use the more sophisticated software that is now available.
  • The employment of a permanent Computer Technician.

    John Zafiropoulos
    Computers Coordinator

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