Information and Communication Technology

About the Department

The Information and Communications Technology Department has two main purposes: to enable pupils and staff to make the best use of current technologies and to facilitate the use of ICT across the curriculum.

The ICT Department resides on the top floor of the CRC building. There are two main rooms: the Computing Classroom with 23 PCs and the Internet Room with 12 PCs. Both of these rooms are accessible to pupils whenever there is not a taught ICT lesson.

Currently the school operates a Novell 5.5 network of over 120 PCs. In the Summer 2004 there will be a major refurbishment leading to a Windows 2003 network being rolled out for the start of the Autumn term. Pupils will then be able to connect their own laptops to the school network.

ICT Department policy provides the users with the most up-to-date available versions of industry standard software packages. Microsoft Office software is the most commonly used application in the school.

All users have their own log on identity and password and have access to e-mail and a filtered Internet provision is available.

Teaching and Learning

Currently the department teaches ICT to all of Forms 3, 4 and 5. This follows syllabus 4 for the European Driving Licence (ECDL) qualification. Within two years it is planned to offer AS and A2 level ICT following the AQA syllabus.

Activities

Once the refurbishment has been completed the department intends to offer two activities to extend the curriculum. Video / Film Production will be offered using digital editing techniques with Adobe Premiere software. Web design and implementation will also be offered using Macromedia Dreamweaver.

Information and Communications Technology

Kevin N Erskine (Head of Department)

Kevin has a degree in Computer Science from the University of Edinburgh. He then completed a PGCE in Computing and Mathematics at Moray House College in Edinburgh. He taught for twelve years at Morrison’s Academy, Crieff before joining Loretto in 2003. He also teaches Mathematics. He coaches Hockey to the Girls’ First X1 and to the Boys’ Senior Colts X1. He also runs the Chess Club. His interests include reading, sport (any!), film and opera. He says his favourite film is ‘The Seventh Seal’ but he’s really a ‘Buffy’ fan at heart.