Cambridge author, Evans Chikasa, hosted a webinar on how to support the development on practical skills for Cambridge IGCSE™ Information and Communication Technology. We finished the webinar with a question and answer, and you had so many questions that we couldn’t get to them all. Today, we’re back with the answers to your frequently asked questions for ICT.
Please could you help me motivate students?
The first motivation is yourself. Coming to class with a positive attitude and a smile on your face will encourage this in your students too. It can be difficult with larger classes. Try to show students that you’re interested in supporting their individual learning. Show learners that you believe they can achieve a strong grade at IGCSE and encourage them at every step.
Differentiation activities throughout Cambridge IGCSE™ ICT support learners of a variety of abilities. Students are individual people and they all have different needs and ways of learning, some may need more guidance than others.
Evans likes to use monitor cards with his students. These are slips of paper with topics on them where students can rate how confident they are at the topic using a colour code. This opens up easy two-way communication between teachers and students, helping students to see that their teacher is engaged in their learning. Moreover, in his experience, students find this a really easy way to feedback how they feel about a topic. Evans can then follow up with some students who need a bit of extra support or revisit a topic for the whole class if necessary.
Evans, Cambridge author
Please can you highlight the differences between ICT and computer science? And where can I find material for Cambridge IGCSE™ Computer Science?
Although ICT and computer science are both computing subjects, there are lots of differences between them. Our ‘What you need to know’ brochures for ICT and computer science, guide you through the updated syllabuses and how our resources support you and your learners through both qualifications. If you’re interest in computer science, then you might like to take a look through our new Cambridge IGCSE™ & O Level Computer Science series.
Jasmine, Cambridge computing marketer
Can you share a book list for the updated syllabus?
Our latest ICT resources are designed to support Cambridge IGCSE™ Information & Communication Technology syllabuses (0983/0417). The series include a coursebook, a teacher’s resource and our brand new practical ICT skills workbook, which is authored by Evans. Each resource is designed to bring real-life ICT to your class through the ‘ICT in context’ feature, differentiated activities and interesting topics. All of the resources are available digitally, with an optional book and digital bundle for the coursebook and practical skills workbook.
Jasmine, Cambridge computing marketer
During the pandemic we have a situation where students are having to learn online. Can you suggest the best approach to guide students in practical lessons as they sometimes are limited by software?
Learning ICT from home can be difficult. Students often log in to learning on their mobile phone, and don’t have the right software to complete practical activities. Using the right software is really helpful in developing practical ICT skills. Although students may prefer to use their phones, it’s important that students use a computer, or even a tablet, if they have one available to them.
Evans, Cambridge author
Will the sample answers for the practical activities in the coursebook be provided together with the book?
Our practical ICT skills workbook features exam-style questions with worked examples within the book itself. A self-assessment feature shares answers so that students can assess their own learning in class or at home. All answers across all resources are available to teachers for free on Cambridge GO.
Jasmine, Cambridge computing marketer
Will students begin sitting these examinations in 2023?
The updated Cambridge IGCSE™ Information & Communication Technology syllabuses (0983/0417) are for first examination from 2023. Our friends at Cambridge Assessment International Education have lots of information about both syllabuses. Take a look at the 0983 or 0417 syllabuses to find out more.
Jasmine, Cambridge computing marketer
If you found these answers helpful you might like to watch Evans in action in our webinar. Or perhaps you could take a look at some frequently asked questions on how to teach Cambridge IGCSE™ Physics.
