Channelside – IT

Digital is taking over, with the demand for computing professionals stronger than it’s ever been. Do you know what it takes to be a computer networker or do you dream of a career as a games developer? Try out our tasks below.

Please bring your completed work to your first lesson.

Networking

This will give students some basic skills in networking.

Self-paced, free and all resources are available at this link.

Project Management

This will give students an introduction to project management.

Self-paced resources are available at this link.

Computing Programming & Games Development Work

Section 1

In a few sentences, explain what you think is meant by the term “programming” and tell me about any languages you have used and IDEs you have used.
Tell me what we mean by the term object-oriented language and give some examples.
On which of the below do C# applications run on?
a) Only on Linux
b) Using Java
c) On the .Net Framework
Explain below in a few sentences what is meant by the .NET Framework?
Which of the following is not part of the .NET Framework?
a) Common Language Runtime
b) .Net FrameWork Class Library
c) Operation System

End of Section 1 exercise:

Download the Microsoft Visual Studio community edition (free) and follow the following steps to write your own first C# program. Make sure to take some screenshots of your code and the output below as evidence of your work.

Follow the steps here to create your first Hello World program in C#.

Section 2

Introduction to C# variables:

Programs typically use data to perform tasks.
Creating a variable reserves a memory location, or a space in memory, for storing values.
It is called variable because the information stored in that location can be changed when the program is running.
To use a variable, it must first be declared by specifying the name and data type.
A variable name, also called an identifier, can contain letters, numbers and the underscore character (_) and must start with a letter or underscore.
Although the name of a variable can be any set of letters and numbers, the best identifier is descriptive of the data it will contain.
This is very important in order to create clear, understandable and readable code!

Which is a valid C# variable name?
a) Bad_Var
b) #PersonName#
c) 1Star

Introduction to C# variable data types:

A data type defines the information that can be stored in a variable, the size of needed memory and the operations that can be performed with the variable.
For example, to store an integer value (a whole number) in a variable, use the int keyword:

End of Section 2 exercise:

If you have downloaded Microsoft Visual Studio community edition (free), try to write your own C# program that provides a solution for the client below. Make sure to take some screenshots of your code and the output below as evidence of your work.

Client specification for the program they want you to develop is below:

The client wants you to design a simple program that takes the scores of the player within a game and calculates the average score. The most efficient and well written solution will receive a prize!

First the program must prompt the user for input. The program must store 3 scores. (For a more efficient and well written program try to research ways of preventing your program crashing if the user enters for example letters instead of a number).
Calculate the average score.
Output the average score to the user
For a stretch and challenge task: display whether the user has achieved gold, silver or bronze rating. (0-59 = bronze, 60-69 = silver and 70-100 = gold).

With a career in health and social care, you’ll be making a valuable contribution to your community. Have you got what it takes? Complete the tasks below!

Please bring your completed work to your first lesson.

Click here to download a Word document of these tasks.

Task 1

Why do you want to study health and social care?

Task 2

List the main personal qualities to work in care

Task 3

Use this link and complete the online course. Do not forget to print your certificate at the end or take a picture of it on your phone; you will need this proof when you start college in September.

Remember, if you do not have proof, you will have to do it again!

Considering a career in education or childcare? Complete the tasks below to get a head start in the exciting world of early years education.

Click here to download a Word document of these tasks.

Please bring your completed work to your first lesson.

In every area of education and childcare, we need to have an understanding of how children develop, and the sequence in which this happens.

This allows us to plan learning to enhance each area of development through play or structured lessons, and also allows us to see where children may struggle in certain areas, allowing us to put extra support in where needed.

Task 1: Name the areas of development

1. P…………..
2. S…………….and E…………………
3. C……………………
4. C……………….and L……………………

Task 2: Write a sentence to explain what each area of development means.

Task 3: Using the internet, research each area of development and show the sequence, or pattern, of how children develop from birth to 5 years old.

For example, at what age do children sit up without support?

Business is a fast-paced and wide-ranging course that will test your communication skills as well as business knowledge.

Read the scenario below and try the tasks to see how you get on as a business administrator.

Please bring your completed work to your first lesson.

Click here to download a Word document of these tasks.

OCR Administration (Business Professional)

Scenario

Monarch Coach Tours Ltd

You are employed at Monarch House, the main office of Monarch Coach Tours Ltd. The company provides coach tours and holidays throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. You work as a junior administration assistant to Ms Suzie Martin, the company’s Office Manager. You carry out a range of administrative duties including dealing with enquiries from prospective customers. You also take telephone messages for Suzie when she is away from her desk.

Enquiries are made by email, letter and telephone. The company details are:

MONARCH COACH TOURS LTD, MONARCH HOUSE, 52 TORQUAY ROAD, EXETER, EX1 5JB
TEL 01392 929292
FAX 01392 959493
EMAIL admin@monarchtours.co.uk

Introduction

You are required to assist Suzie Martin by undertaking a number of tasks including the production of four business documents; a letter, an email, a memo and a telephone message.

Task 1: Different types of business documents and when they might be used

Suzie Martin wants to make sure that you are aware of the range of documents used in business and when each is most likely to be used.

Your task is to:
♦ identify five different business documents
♦ state the purpose of each of these documents and when they are most likely to be used.

Your evidence for this task could be a table listing the 5 documents and a clear description of how Monarch Coach Tours would use them.

Task 2: Using templates for business documents

Suzie tells you that Monarch staff use templates for many business documents.

Your task is to:
♦ state why templates are used for some business documents.

Your evidence for this task will be a set of PowerPoint slides that Suzie can use when giving her training to new administration assistants.

Task 3: Using formal and informal communication styles

Suzie tells you that Monarch staff receive and send out many different documents, external and internal, during their working day. Some of these use a formal style of communication, while others use an informal communication style.

Your task is to:
Complete the attached table (Appendix 1) – you need to:
♦ state the style of communication (formal or informal) that should be used for each example given
♦ give reasons for your choice of communication style.

Your evidence for this task will be the completed table.

Task 4: Adopting a “house style” for certain documents

Suzie tells you that Monarch Coach Tours Ltd uses a house style for documents but she feels that some new members of staff do not understand why a house style is used.

Your task is to:
♦ state why Monarch Coach Tours Ltd has adopted a house style for certain documents.

Your evidence for this task will be PowerPoint slides added to task 2 for Suzie to use when training new administration assistants.

Task 5: Create Templates

Susie would like you to create templates for the following documents:

A letterhead

A memo

Telephone message pad

Your evidence will be a printed copy of 4 documents you have created.

Task 6: Produce a letter

Suzie has received a high volume of telephone enquiries recently and has asked you to help her with these.

Suzie tells you that Mr Joseph Randall phoned today. He and his wife are very interested in joining next month’s tour to Scotland. She asks you to write to Mr Randall, whose address is 51 Homeview Crescent, Southampton, SO4 7XZ. You need to enclose the ‘Highlands and Islands’ brochure and to inform Mr Randall that there are spaces at present on the tour.

Your task is to:

• produce the letter to Mr Randall as requested – Suzie Martin will sign the letter

• use the appropriate communication style

• use accepted layout and conventions

• check that your letter is accurate.

Your evidence will be the letter you produce. You should use the template letter headed paper that you have created.

Task 7: Produce an email

Suzie tells you that Gideon Jenkins spoke to her yesterday about the possibility of using his staff discount voucher on the tour to Normandy. Gideon works at Monarch House. Suzie has told Gideon that she is very busy but will ask you to email him with the decision.

Suzie asks you to email Gideon to tell him that he may use the staff discount voucher on this tour, but that he will be expected to help the drivers or couriers from time to time, if required.

Your task is to:

♦ produce the email to Gideon Jenkins as requested – Gideon’s email address is gideon.jenkins@monarchtours.biz.uk

♦ use the appropriate communication style

♦ check that your email is accurate.

Your evidence will be a copy of the email you produce. You should use the email template you created in task 5.

Task 8: Produce a memo

Suzie tells you that it has been decided to offer a discount to customers on next week’s tour to Brighton. There are still 20 seats available.

Suzie needs to inform all sales staff that there will be a 15% discount on all customer bookings for this tour.

Your task is to:

♦ produce the memo to all staff from Suzie Martin as requested

♦ use the appropriate communication style

♦ use accepted layout and conventions

♦ check that your memo is accurate.

To evidence this task, you need to produce the memo requested. You should use the memo template you created in task 5.

Task 9: Produce a telephone message

A telephone call has been received from Mr John Summers, the Manager of the Grand Hotel in Bournemouth. He wished to speak to Suzie on an urgent matter, but she was away from her desk and Mr Summers had to leave a voicemail message.

Your task is to:

♦ produce the telephone message from the recording of the telephone call from Mr Summers (Appendix 2)

♦ complete a telephone message form

♦ check that your message is accurate.

Your evidence for this task will be the telephone message. You should use the memo template you created in task 5.

Appendix 1 Task 3: Using formal and informal communication styles

Please complete this table by stating which style of communication (formal or informal) would be appropriate for each document. Then give reasons for your choice.

Document	Appropriate communication style and reasons for choice
A reply to a letter of complaint which has been received from a customer
A reply to an email from a colleague in the finance department querying the number of customers booked on next month’s tour to Switzerland
A letter to a customer attaching the company’s ‘Skiing Tours’ brochure
A reply to a memo from Suzie Martin requesting confirmation of attendance at the staff summer ball
A letter inviting job applicants to an interview for the post of Finance Manager
A reply to an email from a customer asking for the price of the ‘West Coast’ tour for two people sharing a twin-bedded room
A reply to an email from a colleague inviting you to a team lunch

Appendix 2 Task 9: Produce a telephone message

High my name is Mr John Summers, I am the Manager of the Grand Hotel in Bournemouth. I need to speak to Suzie regarding a booking she made for this weekend, can you please ask her to phone me back as soon as possible on 01229 844730. It is very urgent. Thank you.

Getting a head start in POLITICS

Politics teachers at Furness College will provide a variety of materials for aspiring students of Politics to work on between now and what we hope will be the start of a new academic year in September 2023.

Students who have already expressed an interest in Politics A Level, and any others who are just interested in Politics, are welcome to take part in the activities, quizzes, arguments, debates and competitions which will be posted throughout the coming months.

To take part, students need to visit our website – histpology.co.uk (the site has a secure SSL certificate) – and look for the ‘MOVING ON UP’ pages in the Politics section.

The ‘MOVING ON UP’ pages directs students to

Specific and challenging things to read about current political issues
Specific (and often funny) things to watch about politics and politicians
Links to a wide-range of excellent political podcasts
Ideas for thinking, arguing and writing about Politics

Our first competition (submissions by email) challenges students to think around the arguments FOR and AGAINST their own age group being given the vote RIGHT NOW. Teachers will post a summary of the views online – all anonymised, of course.

Staff are happy to be contacted by email:

Caroline – caroline.buckley@furness.ac.uk and

Steve – steve.buckley@furness.ac.uk.

Students who use Twitter may also get updates from @Histpology.

All welcome!

Keep up to date with Politics with these free online courses:

How the US Government Works – Georgetown University

American Government: Constitutional Foundations – Harvard University

U.S. Political Institutions: Congress, Presidency, Courts, and Bureaucracy – Harvard University

The Supreme Court & American Politics – University of Baltimore / University System of Maryland

Citizen Politics in America: Public Opinion, Elections, Interest Groups, and the Media – Harvard University

Global Politics – University of Naples / University of Grenoble