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The latest news regarding the new KS3 ICT assessment tasks is as follows:

• The latest version of the delivery software was made available to schools on 19 November 2007
• The revised familiarisation materials were made available to schools who have installed the latest version of the delivery software on 19 November
• The data handling tasks at levels 3-4, 4-5 and 5-6 were made available to schools on 23 November
• Support materials (general support, progression grid, toolkit help, data handling task support and data handling tasks ‘non-toolkit’ version) are available to download from the NAA website (www.naa.org.uk/ks3ict)

Schools wanting information on the accreditation process should be directed to the customer services team (email: ks3ict@rm.com.uk or tel: 0870 870 1025 (option 1) - although please note that this number will be changing to 0845 8701025 from 18 February 2008).

The on-screen test for ICT will NOT be compulsory in 2008, more details can be read on the BBC website.

The 2007 updates for the on-screen test should have made their way to your school by now, after installing the new tests on the network you will notice that the toolkit now contains a ‘control’ application. The applications from previous years are still there and the familiarisation test works in the same way as the 2006 did.

If you haven’t got the updates on your machines yet it would be worthwhile asking your network manager to install them when they get a chance.

Update:
I have just ran through the pupil familiarisation materials for 2007 and they are identical to the 2006 materials apart from an extra task - a control system.

All secondary schools in England should have received ‘The Essential Guide to the KS3 ICT Test’ by NAA in the post over the last few weeks.  It is now possible to download individual sections from the NAA website.

The minutes from the Secondary National Strategy ICT Meeting in Shropshire can now be found and read on Google Docs.

The following dates are for exam office training, contact NAA for further information:

October 3  Liverpool, Adelphi Hotel
October 5  London, Business Design Centre
October 6 Bristol, Marriot City Centre
October 12  Newcastle, Newcastle Racecourse
October 13  Birmingham, NEC

November 1  Leeds, Leeds Town Hall
November 2  Manchester, New Century House
November 8  Birmingham, NEC
November 24  London, Congress Centre
November 28  Peterborough, Holiday Inn

After writing the previous post on tips for the on-screen test, I wondered if this is something I should actually do? It was a test and it will be a very similar test that lots of our students participate in over the coming weeks, so should I have revealed areas that might appear in the test?

I then thought, how can we stop this happening if I was one of the students doing the test this morning what would stop me chatting to my mates after the test and sorting out how to answer the questions/tasks?

Where do we as teachers/consultants stand, should we actively participate in forums/blogs etc to share the activities in the test - probably not but what is going to stop it happening?

I am keen to hear others peoples thoughts on this matter, it would be nice to clarify the situation before the tests go live in 2008, at least this year they are only pilot tests!

After observing an on-screen test this morning I would recommend teachers making sure their students can do the following:

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With the KS3 on-screen test for ICT looming large on the horizons teachers from Ercall Wood, Madeley Court & Phoenix (Telford & Wrekin) have produced some skill based revision lessons. These lessons have not been taught yet so are VERY DRAFT. Feel free to use them and we would appreciate any feedback or additional resources if anyone has produced any.