Website Design Project

From May to July 2002, 31 able Year 9 students from Fulham Cross High School participated in a website design project based at the Kingwood CLC. The aim was for students to produce informative web pages about HIV and Aids, suitable for a teenage audience. The project had an ICT, English and PSHE focus.

At the beginning of the project students received training on internet research to enable them to retrieve a range of information about HIV and Aids. They also communicated electronically with various Aids charities to add further to their knowledge. Next, students critically analysed and evaluated a range of published websites before receiving training in advanced ICT skills to enable them to produce their own website. Most teaching took place at the Kingwood CLC, where students enjoyed using whiteboards and other state of the art facilities.

The project supported the professional development of Fulham Cross's English teacher, allowing her to explore the different needs of pupils and to acquire a range of ICT skills (developing competency in using whiteboards, MS Powerpoint and other software.) She worked closely with the advisory teacher for able pupils, and the CLC Curriculum Coordinator. Other English teachers from Fulham Cross were also invited to attend two half-day of training at the CLC.

Students responded positively to the course: "it was a new experience"; "we learnt new skills"; "we've never made websites before"; "we always learnt something different each time". There was no doubt that the project challenged students; they were taught high levels of ICT skills which required sustained concentration, as well as a challenging application of higher order thinking skills. There was also a large amount of independent work that required commitment, determination and good time management skills. One student wrote "When we went there we learnt things that were really complicated, and therefore it was hard to understand but I got there in the end." The results show that students really rose to the challenge, and some outstanding work was produced.

The resulting web sites can be viewed on the CLC website – www.kingwoodclc.net – The sites have been used during Science and PHSE lessons in the school.