LCA Introduction to ICT

LCA Introduction to ICT

Curriculum Mapping Student Devices
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This course introduces LCA students to essential ICT skills through practical, project-based learning aligned with Curriculum 2025/2026. Over ten weeks, students select a real personal or work-related project and develop a professional digital portfolio covering word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, internet research, cloud storage, file management, and online safety. They create formatted documents, build functional budgets with formulas and charts, produce researched reports, and compile evidence for KA1, KA2 and KA3 tasks. Teachers choose it because it delivers authentic, portfolio-ready work that directly supports other LCA subjects while building confident, workplace-ready digital competence.
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This module introduces foundational computer skills, emphasising practical application via a student-chosen project. Learners explore hardware, software, storage, file management, and operating systems; master word processing techniques including formatting, tables, and proofing; and develop safe internet practices, effective searching, and professional emailing. A digital portfolio captures progress for assessment.

Introduction to Computers
Welcome to ICT: Pick Something Real & Set up Your Workspace Quiz
What Is a Computer? Hardware Vs Software Quiz
Input and Output: Devices and How They Work Together Quiz
Computer Storage & Memory: Where Your Work Actually Lives Quiz
Files and Folders: Creating, Naming, Organising Quiz
Common File Types & Formats Quiz
The Operating System: Settings You Can Actually Use Quiz
Cloud Storage & School Accounts Quiz
Basic Computer Functions: Click, Drag, Shortcut, Open, Close, Save Quiz
Unit 1 Review & Recap Quiz
Introduction to Word Processing
Your First Document: Create, Open, Save Quiz
The Ribbon & the Anatomy of a Document Quiz
Text Formatting: Fonts, Sizes, Emphasis Quiz
Paragraph Formatting: Alignment, Spacing, Indentation Quiz
Page Layout: Margins, Orientation, Headers & Footers Quiz
Inserting Images: from Your Phone, from Creative Commons, from AI Quiz
Inserting and Formatting Tables Quiz
Bullet & Numbered Lists Quiz
Proofing: Spell-check & Grammar Tools Quiz
Find, Replace & Word Count Quiz
Print Preview, Print Settings & PDF Export Quiz
KA1 Workshop Part 1: Creating the Range of Documents Quiz
KA1 Workshop Part 2: Range Completion & Editing Practice Quiz
The Internet and Email Essentials
How the Internet Works: Browsers, Urls, Basics Quiz
Effective Searching: Traditional Search and AI Search Tools Quiz
Evaluating Online Sources: CRAAP + AI Verification Quiz
Staying Safe Online: Phishing, Scams, Malware, Age of Consent Quiz
Email Essentials: the Formal Register in a World of Dms Quiz
KA2 Workshop Part 1: Building the Researched Report Quiz
KA2 Workshop Part 2: Email to a Named Recipient + Module Recap Quiz

This module introduces essential software packages beyond basic tools, focusing on spreadsheets and presentation applications. Learners evaluate tool suitability for projects, master data entry, navigation, formatting, formulas, charts, and error checking in spreadsheets. It covers slide design, animations, and image editing in tools like PowerPoint or Canva, culminating in practical workshops for real-world portfolios.

Spreadsheets
What's a Spreadsheet for? Suitable Uses Quiz
Entering Data: Cells, Rows, Columns, Sheets Quiz
Navigation, Editing & Undo Quiz
Saving, File Formats & Versioning Quiz
Cell Formatting: Numbers, Currency, Dates, Alignment Quiz
Borders, Shading & Readability Quiz
Simple Formulas: SUM & AVERAGE Quiz
More Formulas: MIN, MAX, COUNT Quiz
Cell References & Autofill Quiz
Logical Formulas: IF Quiz
Logical Formulas: Standard Functions Quiz
Standard Functions: ROUND, TODAY, NOW, LEN, UPPER, LOWER Quiz
Sorting & Filtering Data Quiz
Checking Your Data: Finding & Fixing Errors Quiz
Print Preview, Print Areas & Page Setup Quiz
KA1 Workshop Part 1: Building the "Best Spreadsheet" Quiz
KA1 Workshop Part 2: Formulas That Do Real Work Quiz
KA1 Workshop Part 3: Evidence Check & Unit 1 Recap Quiz
Introduction to the Graphical Presentation of Data
Your First Bar Chart Quiz
Your First Pie Chart Quiz
Chart Formatting: Titles, Labels, Legends, Colours Quiz
Chart Interpretation: What Does It Say? Quiz
KA2 Workshop: Saving & Printing in Graphic Format Quiz
Intro to Presentations: Powerpoint, Slides, or Canva Quiz
Inserting Text & Images in Slides Quiz
Slide Design: Readability at the Back of the Room Quiz
Animations, Transitions & When to Use Them Quiz
Image Editing Basics: the Tools Students Actually Reach for Quiz
KA3 Workshop Part 1: Designing the Promotional Document Quiz
KA3 Workshop Part 2: Building the Promotional Document Quiz
KA3 Workshop Part 3: Pitch Day & Full Portfolio Walkthrough Quiz

This module introduces foundational computer skills, emphasising practical application via a student-chosen project. Learners explore hardware, software, storage, file management, and operating systems; master word processing techniques including formatting, tables, and proofing; and develop safe internet practices, effective searching, and professional emailing. A digital portfolio captures progress for assessment.

Introduction to Computers
Welcome to ICT: Pick Something Real & Set up Your Workspace Quiz
What Is a Computer? Hardware Vs Software Quiz
Input and Output: Devices and How They Work Together Quiz
Computer Storage & Memory: Where Your Work Actually Lives Quiz
Files and Folders: Creating, Naming, Organising Quiz
Common File Types & Formats Quiz
The Operating System: Settings You Can Actually Use Quiz
Cloud Storage & School Accounts Quiz
Basic Computer Functions: Click, Drag, Shortcut, Open, Close, Save Quiz
Unit 1 Review & Recap Quiz
Introduction to Word Processing
Your First Document: Create, Open, Save Quiz
The Ribbon & the Anatomy of a Document Quiz
Text Formatting: Fonts, Sizes, Emphasis Quiz
Paragraph Formatting: Alignment, Spacing, Indentation Quiz
Page Layout: Margins, Orientation, Headers & Footers Quiz
Inserting Images: from Your Phone, from Creative Commons, from AI Quiz
Inserting and Formatting Tables Quiz
Bullet & Numbered Lists Quiz
Proofing: Spell-check & Grammar Tools Quiz
Find, Replace & Word Count Quiz
Print Preview, Print Settings & PDF Export Quiz
KA1 Workshop Part 1: Creating the Range of Documents Quiz
KA1 Workshop Part 2: Range Completion & Editing Practice Quiz
The Internet and Email Essentials
How the Internet Works: Browsers, Urls, Basics Quiz
Effective Searching: Traditional Search and AI Search Tools Quiz
Evaluating Online Sources: CRAAP + AI Verification Quiz
Staying Safe Online: Phishing, Scams, Malware, Age of Consent Quiz
Email Essentials: the Formal Register in a World of Dms Quiz
KA2 Workshop Part 1: Building the Researched Report Quiz
KA2 Workshop Part 2: Email to a Named Recipient + Module Recap Quiz

This module introduces essential software packages beyond basic tools, focusing on spreadsheets and presentation applications. Learners evaluate tool suitability for projects, master data entry, navigation, formatting, formulas, charts, and error checking in spreadsheets. It covers slide design, animations, and image editing in tools like PowerPoint or Canva, culminating in practical workshops for real-world portfolios.

Spreadsheets
What's a Spreadsheet for? Suitable Uses Quiz
Entering Data: Cells, Rows, Columns, Sheets Quiz
Navigation, Editing & Undo Quiz
Saving, File Formats & Versioning Quiz
Cell Formatting: Numbers, Currency, Dates, Alignment Quiz
Borders, Shading & Readability Quiz
Simple Formulas: SUM & AVERAGE Quiz
More Formulas: MIN, MAX, COUNT Quiz
Cell References & Autofill Quiz
Logical Formulas: IF Quiz
Logical Formulas: Standard Functions Quiz
Standard Functions: ROUND, TODAY, NOW, LEN, UPPER, LOWER Quiz
Sorting & Filtering Data Quiz
Checking Your Data: Finding & Fixing Errors Quiz
Print Preview, Print Areas & Page Setup Quiz
KA1 Workshop Part 1: Building the "Best Spreadsheet" Quiz
KA1 Workshop Part 2: Formulas That Do Real Work Quiz
KA1 Workshop Part 3: Evidence Check & Unit 1 Recap Quiz
Introduction to the Graphical Presentation of Data
Your First Bar Chart Quiz
Your First Pie Chart Quiz
Chart Formatting: Titles, Labels, Legends, Colours Quiz
Chart Interpretation: What Does It Say? Quiz
KA2 Workshop: Saving & Printing in Graphic Format Quiz
Intro to Presentations: Powerpoint, Slides, or Canva Quiz
Inserting Text & Images in Slides Quiz
Slide Design: Readability at the Back of the Room Quiz
Animations, Transitions & When to Use Them Quiz
Image Editing Basics: the Tools Students Actually Reach for Quiz
KA3 Workshop Part 1: Designing the Promotional Document Quiz
KA3 Workshop Part 2: Building the Promotional Document Quiz
KA3 Workshop Part 3: Pitch Day & Full Portfolio Walkthrough Quiz

Curriculum Mapping

See exactly how this course maps to official curriculum specifications

LCA - Introduction to ICT Module Descriptor
Curriculum Area
Outcomes
Module 1: Introduction to the computer and word processing
Unit 1: Introduction to computers
M1.U1.1 M1.U1.2 M1.U1.3 M1.U1.4
Unit 2: Introduction to word processing
M1.U2.1 M1.U2.2 M1.U2.3 M1.U2.4
Unit 3: The internet and email essentials
M1.U3.1 M1.U3.2 M1.U3.3 M1.U3.4
Module 2: Introduction to other software packages and applications
Unit 1: Spreadsheets
M2.U1.1 M2.U1.2 M2.U1.3
Unit 2: Introduction to the graphical presentation of data
M2.U2.1 M2.U2.2 M2.U2.3

The curriculum does not include official reference codes for individual learning outcomes, so we have assigned a code scheme to make it easier to identify and track coverage.

What Students Will Learn

Learning Goals

**Curriculum Goals**
  1. Develop a real, personally relevant ICT project that spans the entire course and serves as the foundation for all practical work and assessments.
  2. Build and maintain a well-organised digital portfolio in cloud storage, demonstrating consistent file management, version control, and professional document creation.
  3. Master core word processing skills including document layout, text and paragraph formatting, tables, lists, proofing tools, and PDF export to produce high-quality, professional materials.
  4. Understand computer hardware, software, storage, operating systems, cloud services, and safe internet practices, applying this knowledge to work efficiently and securely.
  5. Apply research, evaluation, and communication skills to create a sourced report (KA2) and promotional document (KA3), while developing critical awareness of online information and digital safety.

Learning Outcomes

**Learning Outcomes**
  1. Choose a real personal project and write three specific ICT goals linked to techniques covered in the module.
  2. Set up a structured Digital Portfolio folder in cloud storage and correctly save their first project brief document inside it.
  3. Identify input and output devices on their computer, match them to workplace tasks, and create an ergonomic workspace plan.
  4. Save the same file to cloud storage, local storage, and a USB stick, then explain the difference between RAM and permanent storage.
  5. Recognise common file extensions (.docx, .pdf, .xlsx, .csv) and correctly save a document in both an editable and a fixed format.

What You'll Need

Student Devices

Students will need one of these devices. Students can share in groups of 2-3 if necessary.

Chromebook/Laptop/PC
Chromebook/Laptop/PC
iPad/Tablet
iPad/Tablet

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