ICT at key stage 3    (Year 8)

• Ask the pupils to work in groups to discuss the differences between a web page and printed material. Explain the basic linear nature of printed material, and the dynamic nature of web-based pages.
• Draw out that good design is essential for both media. Ask the pupils to draw up a table of points to consider when discussing what makes good design.
• Explain that different links can be created to suit different audiences reading the same page. Pupils should then compare three different websites, each chosen for their differences; one might include video.

• Give the pupils a simple web page that includes a heading, a background colour, text, an image and a simple link between sections of the document. Ask the pupils to change various aspects of the document, demonstrating how the web authoring software converts to HTML.
• Explain to pupils how to use a relevant piece of software to:
• create headings and text
• create a background (colour or graphics)
• insert graphics
• create tables
• Explain to pupils how to use a common core of fonts and how to make decisions about structure.

• Examine a simple web page, and the associated code. Explain that pages can be written by using HTML and show pupils the code.

• Explain to pupils how to use a relevant piece of software to:
• create links
• produce simple animations
• create hover buttons and other simple automated routines

• Explain that when designing a web page a holistic approach needs to be adopted and that links both backwards and forwards must be considered during the design phase. Explain that different sets of links can be designed to suit the needs of different users.

• Discuss suitable subjects for a web page, and the range of audiences that the page could be produced for.
• Ask the pupils to produce spider charts that consider subjects, contents and audience.
• Ask pupils to decide on their topic, and to write a simple brief. Pupils could work on a common theme in groups of five and then arrange links between their pages. Ask pupils to draw a chart that represents the various sections and the links between them.
• Ask pupils to create their pages using the tools previously introduced.
• Encourage pupils to develop a system for the evaluation of their pages, through asking questions of others who have accessed their site.
• Discuss the aspects of responsibility of publishing work on the internet. Topics to be addressed should include libel, plagiarism, sensitivity to others, acknowledging sources and authorship. Pupils should be asked to present an argument about why their pages should be published on the internet before proceeding.
• Post the final pages to the school intranet.