Welcome to the Department of Creative Technologies, where the worlds of computing, ICT, Design Technology, and Engineering converge to create a dynamic and innovative discipline. In this department, you will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of exciting units, including:

• Using Media – Gaining Support for a Cause: Learn how to effectively use media to raise awareness and mobilize support for various causes.
• Media – Vector Graphics: Master the art of vector graphics, a versatile format for creating scalable and high-quality visuals.
• Layers of Computing Systems: Explore the fundamental structure of computing systems, understanding the different layers and their interactions.
• Developing for the Web: Dive into the world of web development, learning the essential technologies and techniques to create dynamic websites.

These units will equip you with the knowledge and skills to become a well-rounded creative technologist, capable of solving complex problems and designing innovative solutions.

Our mission is to nurture well-rounded individuals who not only possess a strong technical foundation but also possess exceptional problem-solving and creative skills. We believe that technology is a powerful tool that can inspire and excite students, opening up a world of endless possibilities.

By combining these diverse fields, we aim to broaden your horizons and empower you to think creatively and critically about challenges. Our focus is on equipping you with the knowledge and skills to envision and develop innovative solutions in an ever-evolving technological landscape.

Through a blend of creativity, problem-solving, and technological prowess, we strive to ignite your curiosity and passion. Join us on this exciting journey of discovery, invention, and imagination. Together, we will shape the future of Creative Technologies and, in doing so, reshape the way you think about problems.

Curriculum Map - Academic year 2024-2025

What is each of the units about?

8.1 Using media – Gaining support for a cause

This unit explores the powerful role of media in raising awareness and garnering support for various causes. Students will delve into different forms of media, including print, digital, and audio-visual, and analyze their effectiveness in conveying messages. They will learn about the importance of target audiences, persuasive language, and compelling visuals in creating impactful media campaigns. Additionally, students will explore ethical considerations in media use and the potential for misinformation.

By mastering the techniques of media creation and analysis, students can become powerful advocates for causes they believe in and contribute to positive social change. They can design engaging social media campaigns to raise awareness and mobilize support, produce persuasive videos that tell compelling stories and inspire action, write persuasive articles or blog posts to educate and persuade readers, create informative infographics to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner, and critically evaluate existing media campaigns to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and effectiveness.

8.2 Media – Vector graphics

This unit introduces students to the concept of vector graphics, a digital image format composed of mathematical equations that define shapes and lines. Unlike raster graphics, which are made up of pixels, vector graphics are scalable without losing quality. Students will learn about the key features and benefits of vector graphics, such as their ability to be resized, edited, and printed at any resolution. They will also explore popular vector graphics software and learn how to create, edit, and manipulate vector images.

By mastering vector graphics, students can apply their skills to a wide range of creative and technical endeavors. They can design professional-looking logos, business cards, and other branding elements, create detailed illustrations and animations for websites, games, and other digital projects, design floor plans and technical drawings for architecture, engineering, and other technical fields, edit and manipulate existing vector images without compromising quality, and create custom fonts and typography for various applications. These skills are valuable in graphic design, animation, web development, and other fields, making vector graphics a versatile tool for creative expression and problem-solving.

8.3 Layers of computing systems

This unit delves into the fundamental structure of computing systems, exploring the concept of layers and their hierarchical organization. Students will learn about the different layers that make up a typical computing system, including the hardware layer, operating system layer, application layer, and user interface layer. They will understand how these layers interact and contribute to the overall functionality of a computer. Additionally, students will explore the importance of abstraction in computing systems and how it simplifies complexity and enables efficient development.

By understanding the layers of computing systems, students can gain valuable skills for diagnosing and troubleshooting hardware problems, installing and configuring software, optimizing system performance, developing software applications, and understanding security concepts. This knowledge is essential for effectively interacting with and managing modern computing systems, enabling students to become proficient users and developers in the digital age.

8.4: Developing for the Web

This unit introduces students to the world of web development, covering the essential technologies and techniques involved in creating dynamic and interactive websites. Students will learn about HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), and JavaScript, the core languages used for building web pages. They will explore the structure of a webpage, including the head and body sections, and learn how to create different elements such as headings, paragraphs, images, and links. Additionally, students will delve into the concepts of responsive design and user experience, ensuring that their websites are accessible and engaging across various devices.

By mastering web development, students can create a wide range of digital projects, including personal websites, online portfolios, e-commerce stores, and web applications. They can develop their own websites to showcase their skills and creativity, collaborate on online projects with peers, and even start their own online businesses. Furthermore, web development skills are highly sought after in the job market, opening up opportunities for careers in web design, web development, and related fields.

When are in-class assessments taking place?

The table below shows the dates for when assessments take place.

What software do I need to install on my device?

Students should bring their own laptops to lesson with them. These can be either Windows or Mac OS based machines. Apple or Android tablets are not suitable for this course.

• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Teams
• Microsoft OneNote
• Python IDLE (Any version 3)
• Thonny IDE
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Dreamweaver

The software shown below is available for either Apple or Windows based laptops and can be installed free of charge. Students should use their standard username and password. 

Classroom Teachers