Course Units
The course units of to which I will be covering over the next 2 years are as follows.

• Organisational Security Systems
• Key Skills (ICT)
• Computer Systems
• Communication & Employability Skills for IT
• Website Production and Management
• Principles of Software Design and Development
• Advanced Database Skills
• Principles of Computer Networks

What have I learnt since the beginning of the course?
Since starting the course in September there has been a number of things I have learnt such as new programs and new skills, new programs such as Microsoft Visual Basic, Wire Shark and Packet Tracker which are used frequently throughout, these are all explained in further detail below.

Organisation Security Systems
My lecturer for this unit is Gordon Shering, this unit basically covers all the security related issues that are involved within organisations and there systems. Since starting the course I have learnt in detail about such threats including DOS attacks, social engineering and password guessing techniques. I feel Gordon is a teacher I get along with and so have learnt well in this unit, I am a bit a far behind with the work but I plan to get up to date by my next blog. I don’t feel I am struggling with any aspects of this unit I just feel I am being lazy with the completion of the work and handouts.

Key Skills (ICT)
My lecturer for this unit is Karen Dunville, this unit is basically the essential skills required within the ICT industry, these skills are key when it comes to employment as it shows that I am able to do the basic requirements within the ICT industry. Since starting I don’t feel I have learnt much as I have always have a good grasp of ICT, although I may have not learnt a massive amount I do enjoy this lesson as it is very hands on. In this lesson we do a lot of tasks and handouts to prepare us for the exams ahead, I feel I will easily go into these exams and pass and I am able to do the tasks given to me quickly and easily.

Computer Systems
My lecturer for this unit is Wahid Khan, this unit is based on the computer system itself. Since starting the course I have learnt in every lesson of which I have attended, the problem is I’ve hardly attended them. I have a tendency to go home early as miss this lesson which has unfortunately made a negative impact with this unit, missing these lessons has made me miss out on important information that is key to my assignment, which furthermore I’m very behind on. I plan to make my attendance with this lesson extremely more frequent so that I can catch up on the work I’ve missed and ensure I’m no longer behind.

Communication & Employability Skills for IT
My lecturer for this unit is Sue Marr, this unit is based on communication and employability skills surrounding the IT industry. Since starting the course I haven’t learnt much in this unit, this is partly due to my lack of attendance. However a larger part of the reason is because in my previous school I did a project within English and ICT that is very similar to this unit. I don’t really enjoy this unit much, this is because I don’t find it too challenging or appealing. I plan to make my attendance with this lesson more frequent so I can try and get a distinction. Website Production and Management My lecturer for this unit is Sue Brandreth, this unit is based on websites including the production, management and maintaining of them. Since starting the course I haven’t learnt anything in this unit, this is because I’ve been doing web pages as a hobby since I was around 13 years old. I’m not enjoying this unit right now as it’s not challenging at all and I’m getting easily bored due to this; however I hope I believe it will become more interesting in the not so far future.

Principles of Software Design and Development
My lecturer for this unit is Paula Hobday, this unit is based on programming and the design and development of them. Since starting this course I have gained a lot of knowledge within this unit, this is because I’ve never done it before so it’s a fresh and new challenge, which is why I find it so appealing. I enjoy it greatly and believe that if I continue to do well I will achieve a distinction. Advanced Database Skills My lecturer for this unit is John Eeuwens, this unit is based on databases and everything surrounding them. Since starting this course, much like website production and management, I haven’t learning anything in this unit. This is because throughout GCSE ICT I learnt database technologies in depth; this is the main reason why I am not finding this unit too interesting. However, I hope that this unit becomes more challenging and therefore interesting.

Principles of Computer Networks
My lecturer for this unit is Steve Deards, this unit is based on networking and the principles involved. Since starting this course, much like principles of software design and development, I have learnt a great deal in this unit, this is once again because I’ve never done it before. I enjoy a new challenge and this is why I am enjoying this unit, it’s a very appealing unit and I am considering taking when I have to choose my course strand, however I will think about this nearer the time.

I feel I have learnt well in each and every unit so far, my grasp of each one has helped me progress easily and has made me develop my skills further. Many aspects have come into involvement whilst learning but I feel those units that have been more practical based I have improved more quickly then those that are more theory based. I believe this shows that I am able to learn more efficiently when I am faced with a practical task. Another great aspect that has helped me progress is my motivation, I feel that my motivation through the course so far has enabled me to learn at a much faster rate then usual, this is because my motivation has been nothing but positive.

In some ways I think I could improve my performance, for example if I daydreamed less. Yes it may only be small but my mind seems to drift often due to my lack of concentration, I believe that if I keep myself even more motivated that I will be able to improve my ability to learn even further then previously before.

At the start of the course I didn’t feel like I was enjoying it as much as I thought I would be, mainly due to the cost of travel and distance I had to come to do so, now however I feel much more determined. This is a great example of how I’ve improved my personal qualities from attending college, my SWOT analysis was a major part of this progression as it helped me identify the problems with doing so and a way to overcome it.

A lot has gone well; I have made new friends and have learnt a lot since the start of this course, as previously explained many things have become a major part in why I have progressed. Though even with such success there has been parts of the course that have not gone so well, for example the absolute worst problem is the fact that I’m so behind in work, though I will hopefully be further up to date by my next blog post, I guess we shall see.

Thanks for reading,
Kurtis