BYTES - the Basics
What is BYTES?
In BYTES you will be learning to use new technologies, work in teams and gain valuable skills in areas of your choosing. Over the course of the year you will be doing 3 compulsory modules, 2 elective modules, and completing a Digital Portfolio. This page is designed to explain these components of the subject and provide you with useful information to help your achieve success in BYTES.
BYTES allows students to follow and develop their own passions while ensuring academic and behavioural rigour is maintained - this is done with a strong emphasis on teacher engagement both in class and through a strong collegial atmosphere. The best teaching teamwork is seen in BYTES.
BYTES has a distinct focus on developing student’s skills and capabilities that may not be explicitly advanced in other subjects to allow students to flourish in later education and in life outside of school. From 2012-2015, demand for Presentation skills has risen 25%, Team Management by 46%, Planning and Creativity by 64% while Digital Literacy has increased by 212%. The workers of the future, in an increasingly automated society, will be required to think creatively and resiliently around problems, organise and work well in a team environment, present to others their findings while also not only consuming online resources, but building them too. We hope, in BYTES, to foster and grow those skills while also allowing students to follow passions and be curious learners.
Elective modules
You will choose 2 of these to complete throughout the year, which each lasting for 5-6 weeks. The running of each elective will depend on student numbers and teacher availability.
Consequences of poor behaviour
Like all subjects at McKinnon, we expect you to demonstrate maturity, responsibility and a positive attitude towards learning. If, however, your behaviour is deemed inappropriate, there will be consequences.
Behaviour and disrupting others
- You will be given one warning if you are wasting class time and/or disrupting the learning of others
- If you continue to behave inappropriately, lunchtime and afterschool detentions will be issued wherever necessary
- Students who consistently waste time may be placed on a behaviour card or have their BYTES privileges removed (ie. not being allowed to undertake their chosen electives and/or missing out on excursions such as the 9UP city days)
Failure to hand in work on the due date
- Students will lose 1 mark (out of 10) for every day late
- Additionally, BYTES teachers will issue lunchtime and/or afterschool detentions where necessary to ensure the completion of set tasks
- If need be, parents will be contacted regarding failure to submit work and privileges (i.e. BYTES electives and excursions) will be revoked
What you need in BYTES class
You are expected to have the following items with you in EVERY class unless otherwise specified.
- Your BYTES handbooks. These will remain in the MERC at all times and may not be taken home. This is an essential resource for BYTES; therefore, if you lose it, you will be required to purchase a new one at a cost of $10
- Your diary
- Your pencil case (including all stationary you would require in other classes)
- Your Chromebook
- In some sessions, you may require other equipment such as cameras or iPods/iPhones. In all instances, you must ask your mentor for permission to bring these items to class
- Additionally, every student must have printing credit for all BYTES lessons. This is your responsibility and an essential requirement of the BYTES program.
