Practical Support Pack for technical support staff
What do I need to know about the Practical Support Pack?
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Each subject within the Practical Support Pack is divided into modules
that teaching professionals can access online or download and use
locally. You can download a whole subject or the entire Practical Support Pack
from the Download area. Due to the large file sizes it is recommended that this
download is managed by technical support staff rather than individual teachers.
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The Practical Support Pack is designed to encourage teaching
professionals to use a range of software and hardware in their teaching and the
resource files that accompany the lesson are provided in a variety of formats.
You may find it useful to look at the Software downloads page which details the
software needed for the entire Practical Support Pack. Individual
teachers will not require all of this software, but you may find it helpful in
supporting teaching colleagues.
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Teachers using the Practical Support Pack are likely to want to have
access to pupil computers, data projectors, large screen displays or
interactive whiteboards and a printer. It will also be helpful if the following
software is installed on the computers before using the Practical Support Pack:
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An office suite, such as Microsoft Office
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A browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer
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Adobe Reader version 5 or above www.adobe.com/products/acrobat
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Macromedia Shockwave Player version 8 or above and Macromedia Flash Player
version 7 or above www.macromedia.com/downloads
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A file extraction utility, such as WinZip.
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In using the Practical Support Pack, teaching professionals will learn
and practise new ICT skills. These range from using Microsoft Office
applications to web publishing and subject-specific software. Guidance files
are provided to assist teaching professionals in developing these skills.
However, they will be advised to consult with technical support regarding
topics such as saving and storing files, using peripherals and hardware and
publishing on the school's intranet or website.
Below are some of the key ICT skills which are included in the Practical Support Pack
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Using a data projector and display or interactive whiteboard.
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Using a digital camera, scanner or digital video camera.
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Saving, storing and printing documents.
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Searching, selecting and publishing on the Internet.
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Word-processing: toolbars, menus and formatting.
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Presenting using multimedia.
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Electronic communication: email, webcams, weblogs and video conferencing.
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Graphics: drawing, manipulating and animation.
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Desktop publishing using templates.
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Data collection, public information systems and data logging.
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Control systems, programming, systems, simulations and commands.
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Spreadsheets: formulae and models, graphing and charting.
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Databases: questionnaires, records and queries.
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Subject-specific software, e.g. GPS, data logging, music sequencers, text to
speech and storyboarding.